Awareness

Please be aware of the dealings of the following seven bodily members: eyes, ears, tongue, stomach, genitals, hands, and feet.

The eyes

One ought to guard it from looking at the face of someone who is not a close relation (mahram-for men: looking at women who are not related to him and whom he can legally marry. And for women, looking at men who are not related and whom they can marry). Or  towards the faultiness (awra-also includes all that one wishes not to be known or seen, including ones exposed body) of a Muslim, or looking condescendingly at a Muslim - in short...The eye was created to gaze at the wonders of God's design with consideration; to gaze  at the good works for [the purpose of] emulation; to gaze at the Book of God and the way of the Messenger and to study the books of wisdom from which to take admonition and benefit.

[Vigilance & Self-Examination By Al-Ghazali, page 8-9]

"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears.Let them draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their (hidden) adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, their fellow women, those (bondwomen) in their possession, male attendants with no desire, or children who are still unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful."

[Qur'an: Surah an-Nur (The Light) 24, verses 30-31]

The tongue 

The tongue is loose by nature and has no trouble moving...The tongue was created for invoking [Allah], remembrance, reiterating knowledge, teaching, guiding the servants of Allah to His path, reconciling people and other benefits.

 [Vigilance & Self-Examination By Al-Ghazali, page 9]

"Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]."

[Qur'an: Surah Qaf 50, verse 18]

The ear 

Be aware of listening to speech that is disapproved of, music with illicit lyrics and to things that people say in secret (eaves dropping, intruding). this is one of the hardest to guard, but it is not impossible. sometimes you just have to remove yourself from the sounds which are damaging or if you are able to change to sounds in which you hear, e.g. change to subject in a conversation, distance yourself from the talks.

"[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you."

[Qur'an: Surah At-Taubah (The Repentance) 9, verse 61]

“Surely the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these, shall be questioned about that.”

[Qur’an: al-Israa (The Night Journey)17, verse 36]

The stomach 

Do not become greedy, do not eat more than what is necessary. Eat from that which is good for you. "Eat from the good things which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein." [Qur'an: Surah TaHa 20, verse 81]

Allah's Messenger PBUH said, "A believer eats in one intestine (is satisfied with a little food), and a kafir (unbeliever) or hypocrite eats in seven intestines (eats too much)." 

[Sahih al Bukhari 5394]

The hands

The Messenger of Allah Peace and blessings be upon him, said, "The hands are three types: the Hand of Allah is the highest, the hand of the giver is next to it, and the hand of the beggar is the lowest. Give from your surplus wealth and do not be weakened by your ego." [Sunan Abi Dawud 1649]

You should eat and drink with your right hand, give and take with your right hand, for Satan eats and drinks with his left hand, gives and takes with his left hand.

Be cautious not to cause harm to others with your actions. 

"And whatever strikes you of disaster - it is for what your hands have earned"

[Qur'an: Surah Ash-Shura (The Consultation) 42, verse 30]

"And spend in the way of Allāh and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allāh loves the doers of good."

[Qur'an: Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2, verse 195]

The feet

The feet ought to be used in a way which is also pleasing to the Creator. Some examples, such as the reward for walking to the mosque for Prayer, “He who purifies (performs Wudu') himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (mosque) for performing an obligatory Salat, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” [Sahih Muslim].

"Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people."

[Qur'an: Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2, Verse 250]

The pudenda (private parts)

And the right of your private part is that you should protect it from everything that is unlawful for you and help it by lowering your eyes - this is certainly the best way to help it. And you should also remember death often, and threaten yourself with God and try to make yourself fear God.

It is through the divine assistance of God that one can find salvation from sin and receive the necessary support in this endeavour. There is no source of strength or power other than Him.

“O young people! Any of you who have the means to marry should do so since this is the best way to protect your eyes from corrupt and treacherous looks, and to guard the private parts from sin and immodesty. Whoever does not have the means to marry should fast continually since fasting can reduce lust.”

“Who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess, - for (in their case) they are free from blame: But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors.”

[Qur’an: Surah al-Muminun (The Believers) 23, verses 5-7]

In the preceding blog, you will note that mindfulness, along with daily reflection, plays a significant role on the journey to understanding yourself.