Jeda Today

On Contemplation

ber-Jeda

Weekly Book Conversation

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Introduction

Jeda means pause. In a fast-paced lives in this modern world, we’re starting this Jeda book conversation to have a calm reflective community – to gather book lovers. 

What we’re trying to foster through Jeda are:

  1. Connect books with other books & core fundamental ideas via conversation: each week for just 1 hour, we will go through short passages and reflect on the passages together

  2. Promote reflective thinking: We are familiar with tadabbur but tafakkur is still relatively less spoken about – it’s about bringing 2 cognitions into third cognition. If we have some pauses in our day to reflect, we hope books can be the beautiful company. 

At each Jeda session, participants will be provided with a list of guiding questions and supplementary reading materials to help frame the discussion. This structure ensures that the conversation is grounded in research and diverse perspectives, encouraging everyone to explore the topic from multiple angles.

But Jeda is more than just a passive reading group. It’s a dynamic platform where ideas are sown, nurtured, and allowed to blossom. By the end of each session, participants will take away one clear, actionable takeaway – a new understanding or insight that they can apply in their own lives and communities.

Register now and let’s embark on this transformative exploration.

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Main Text

“One hour’s contemplation exceeds a year’s of devotion”

In this fast-paced world, we often keep doing things, switching from one occupation to another, without having time to pause and contemplate our lives. Yet, tafakkur (translated to contemplation) has always been an important aspect of Islam. 

One day, Rasulullah peace and blessings be upon him, stood up to pray tahajjud, weeping until his beard was soaking wet, and prostrated himself until the ground was soaked. When Bilal came to call him for fajr prayer, he asked, “What is it that has made you weep when God has already forgiven you ‘your sins, past and future’?” Rasulullah replied “This past night, Allah Most High has revealed to me that ‘Truly in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for people of reason” Then Rasulullah added: “Woe to anyone who recites this without reflecting upon it!”

This is one of the verses in the Qur’an that asks us to reflect. Syaikh Hamza Yusuf said, “The Qur’an is replete with verses asking us to reflect, contemplate, meditate, and use our intellects, reminding us that essentially our highest purpose resides in doing so. Thus, it makes perfect sense that the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings upon him, informed us that “One hour’s contemplation exceeds a year’s of devotion”.

Now, what is contemplation? How to do it effectively? What things to contemplate? These are the questions that usually arise because, for most of us, no one ever taught us about this. This is why, in this first Jeda agenda in 2025, we will discuss contemplation using Imam Ghazali’s “The Book of Contemplation – English translation of Kitaab al-Tafakkur – Book 39 of Ihya Ulumiddin”. As Imam Ghazali said in the preface,

“Most of mankind are aware of its merits and its importance; but they are ignorant of its true nature, its fruits, where it should begin from and where it can lead to, the way to practice it and the extent of its scope. Nor do they know how, on what, or for what purpose to contemplate, or what is [to be] sought by contemplation.”

Hopefully, through this book, we can start to implement what Imam Ghazali mentions in this book and instill the habit of contemplation in our lives, starting in the blessed month of Ramadhan.

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Initial Questions

  1. How reflection could enrich your productivity? 
  2. How does the quote “One hour’s contemplation exceeds a year’s of devotion” challenge or inspire your understanding of the importance of tafakkur in our daily lives?
  3. Imam Ghazali mentions that many people are unaware of how, where, or why to contemplate. Based on this week’s passage, what insights does he offer about the “true nature” and “fruits” of tafakkur?
  4. Reflecting on the story of Rasulullah (peace be upon him) weeping during tahajjud, what role do emotions like awe, gratitude, or humility play in effective contemplation?
  5. What are some practical ways we can incorporate tafakkur into our routines, especially during Ramadan, when spiritual reflection is emphasized?
  6. Imam Ghazali highlights the importance of contemplating creation as a sign of Allah’s wisdom. Which aspects of creation resonate most deeply with you, and how might they serve as starting points for meaningful reflection?

Some Assumptions To Explore

  1. Productivity is solely about speed and efficiency, and reflection slows things down.
  2. Contemplation is too abstract and we may need less of that in this world of outputs.
  3. Contemplation (tafakkur) is a passive activity that doesn’t contribute to tangible outcomes.
  4. Reflection is only for spiritual or religious contexts, not applicable to modern work or life.
  5. People naturally know how to contemplate effectively without guidance or practice.
  6. Emotional engagement during reflection, such as crying or feeling overwhelmed, is a sign of weakness rather than depth.
  7. Burnout can be avoided simply by working less, without the need for reflective pauses.
  8. Tafakkur is an outdated practice that doesn’t align with today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.
  9. Intellectual reflection and emotional connection are unrelated processes.
  10. Spiritual growth through contemplation has no measurable impact on personal or professional success.

Reading List

  1. Al-Ghazali, The Book of Contemplation
  2. Malik Badri,  Contemplation

Weekly Takeaway

Reflection prompt on Contemplation

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