INTROSPECTION IN ISLAM

Asked why they would do so when God had clearly forbidden it, the Prophet said that these people would give a new name to wine and declare it to be lawful. (Al-Darimi) That is to say, people will invent some justification for drinking wine. ‘Wine’ here is a symbol of a larger phenomenon. As in the case of wine, people will seek to justify other evils by cleverly renaming them. ‘Justified evils’ are deceptive and dangerous. Those indulging in these are unaware that they are sinful. It is like drinking poison believing it to be water or a soft drink. The poison will kill you, notwithstanding the fact that you do not think it is harmful. No seemingly innocuous or sweet-sounding name you may give it, can save you. This is the case with every ‘justified evil’. If you indulge in a ‘justified evil’, you cannot save yourself from its bad effects and hence the need to introspect every day. This may help you realise the ‘justified evils’ (in addition to ‘unjustified’ ones) that you may consciously or unconsciously, be indulging in, and then you can cease to do so. Regular introspection alone can help you identify your weaknesses, evil habits, mistakes, and sins including those that you do not think are bad. Introspection thus functions as a mirror, reflecting your real self. When you know yourself and recognize the wrongs you are engaged in, you can try to correct yourself. Introspection or self-observation, is an integral and necessary aspect of self-correction, a daily requirement of a Muslim’s life. Without it, one flounders like a blind man. The second Muslim Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab once said: “Reckon with yourselves before you are reckoned with; weigh up your own actions before they are weighed up; and prepare for the Great Summons.” This is a very instructive saying containing the whole philosophy of introspection. The following verse from the Quran underlines the importance of introspection: “When any evil suggestion from Satan touches those who fear God, they are instantly alerted and become watchful” (7: 201). Introspection, therefore, is related to the fear of God. When you discover God, you discover God as the Almighty, as the Creator, as Lord of the Day of Judgment. This discovery makes you extremely cautious, realising that one day you will be brought before God. God created Introspection functions as a mirror, reflecting your real self. When you know yourself and recognize the wrongs you are engaged in, you can correct yourself.