Assalamu'alaikum wr .wb.
Peace be to all.
As the opening of this blog, I wish to start of Scientific Islam with the human body. A verse mentioned meaning that to know Allah is to know ourselves. One of the most major organ in the human body which differentiates us human from the millions of other species, The Brain. What is the brain capable of and what is the body capable of?
INTRO
Our brains is a supercomputer. It has the capability to reason, remember, comprehend, distinguish, choose, decide, imangine, plan and analyse. This privilege that Allah s.w.t has provided us has made us the most dominant species on earth.
"'Allamal insaana maa lam ya'lam" (Surah Al-'Alaq: 5)
"Laqad khalaqnal insaana fii ahsani taqwiim." (Surah At-Tin: 4)
Allah s.w.t has mentioned in the Quran that humans have been created as the best creation. The ability to think, decide, communicate etc is the factor that made this possible. (MUIS Friday sermon, K1261).
The body is a physical manifestation of a human being. The brain influences and controls the body. However, the body also can "program" the mind. This can be seen and learned in the fields of psychology, NLP (Neuro-Lingusitic Programming) and hypnosis/hypnotherapy.
Islam, 1400years ago, sent down to man by The All-Knowing God, Allah, has incorporated these knowledge subtly into the teachings and rituals of Islam. Hence, unknowingly for many centuries, the teachings of Islam actually enhances the well-being of the human brain and the human body and most importantly the spirit.
Where in the teachings and rituals applied in Islam are these powerful tools incorporated? That's what this post is all about.
THE BRAIN
Supplications (Dzikr)
Supplications or dzikr is a very powerful tool when enforcing certain ideas or knowledge. Repeating certain words, or phrases repeatedly as seen in chants and at times speeches reinforces these values in the human mind making it more difficult to forget and subconsciously programming the brain into progressing in the manner it is being reminded.
Napoleon Hill in his book "Think and Grow Rich" had mentioned in his book about using such methods of repeating to oneself to achieve a particular goal; which is his case is for one to be rich. He even mentioned in his book the life of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and praised the successfulness of the Prophet s.a.w and related this success to the supplications and reminders the Prophet gave to the Companions r.a.
Therefore, through dzikr, one is reminded both consciously and sub-consciously about Allah. In the case of "Subhanallah" we are constantly glorifying Allah and subconsciously instilling in ourselves about His purity. The best dzikr is "Laa ilaaha illallah" (No God worthy of worship except for Allah). In a hadith, "Laa ilaaha illallah" is said to renew our faith. This is congruent to what was mentioned previously. Repeating and reminding ourselves constantly will no doubt, instill in ourselves that Allah is the only One God to be worshipped.
"Ala bidzikrillahi tathma-innul quluub" (Quran) --> "Verily in the remembrance of Allah, the hearts find peace."
This ayat mentioned in the Quran is proven by science in the research on the frequencies and wavelengths in the brain. The most effective brain-wavelength for optimum learning and subconscious programming is being in the Alpha brain-wavelength. In this state, the mind is relaxed and information and supplications are easily absorbed by the brain. The Alpha brain-wavelength can be achieved through meditation in which is actually dzikr in the Islamic context. In this relaxed state, coupled with the pure words and phrases used in dzikr, truly calms the mind, heart and soul just as mentioned in the oly Quran.
Lastly for this part one of Islamic Brains and Brauns, how NLP technique called anchoring is being incorporated daily in the Islamic ritual. Anchoring is applying association of certain emotions or thoughts onto the human sensory system. While walking down the isles of the shopping centre, when a song we used to listen to in the past is being played, it may trigger certain emotions and memories. Certain smells and tastes can do the same. The sense of touch can also be used to program the mnd in this way. When we pray in our daily prayers, during the tahiyyat, we lift our index fingers when reciting the tashahud. 5 times a day we do that. This anchors the index finger to the phrase "Laa ilaaha illaLLah." The Prophet s.a.w was said to lift the index finger whenever he mentioned "Laa ilaaha illahLLah." Therefore this acts as a very powerful anchor such that when the finger is lifted, we are reminded that there is no God worthy of worship except for Allah. You may refer to the videos in this blog for further understanding.
With this insyaAllah, will be the end of Part 1.
May Allah give us the understanding in guide us to the right path.
Everything and anything good comes from Allah s.w.t and anything bad or wrong comes from me and my weaknesses.
Wallahu a'lam.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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