WILAYAH NEWS VOICE OF THE GLOBAL AWAKENING
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**How Does God Become Present in Our Lives?**
If human perfection and true happiness lie in drawing closer to the Absolute Perfection and attaining nearness to God—as is the state of the martyrs—then this can only be achieved through two fundamental principles: **self‑vigilance (muraqabah)** and **self‑accounting (muhasabah)**. When a person realizes that they are in the presence of God, they must monitor their actions and be attentive to their behavior on the one hand, and on the other hand continuously hold themselves accountable. Constant vigilance and continuous self‑accounting are what lead a person to the state where they look to none but God.
The Holy Qur’an points to these two principles in Surah Al‑Hashr:
“O you who believe, be mindful of God. And let every soul consider what it has sent forth for tomorrow; and be mindful of God. Indeed, God is fully aware of what you do.”
This verse calls us to two ethical principles: the first is vigilance, and the second is self‑accounting. Every person is responsible for observing themselves and holding themselves accountable—watching their actions, behavior, and speech. If they perform a good deed, they thank God; and if they commit a wrong, they seek God’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
**1. Self‑Vigilance (Muraqabah)**
The meaning of vigilance is derived from the word *raqaba* (neck). One who raises their neck to observe more carefully is considered watchful. A person must watch over everything in their life—speech, actions, glances, and more—so that they do not fall into anything that displeases God or contradicts His command. God, the Exalted, says:
“He knows the stealthy glance of the eyes and what the hearts conceal,”
“Not a word does one utter except that there is a vigilant observer ready to record it,”
“We record what they have sent ahead and their آثار (traces), and everything We have enumerated in a clear register.”
A person who constantly monitors themselves will be careful not to commit any wrongdoing. It is narrated from Amir al‑Mu’minin, Ali (peace be upon him), in one of his sermons:
“May God have mercy on the one who watches over his Lord, fears his sin, avoids his desires, works for his Hereafter, and turns away from the fleeting adornments of this worldly life.”
Among the advice of Imam al‑Sadiq (peace be upon him) is:
“Be moderate in your walking, and watch God in every step, as though you are crossing the Bridge (Sirat). Do not be one who constantly turns around.”
**2. Self‑Accounting (Muhasabah)**
Self‑accounting means that a person examines and scrutinizes their actions to see whether they have fulfilled their divine obligations in the best way or not. If they discover that they have committed something contrary to the command of their Lord, they seek forgiveness, repent sincerely, resolve never to return to that sin, and strive immediately to correct and make up for what was missed.
If they find that they have fulfilled their duties, they praise and thank God for granting them success—while realizing that their acts of obedience can never compare with the abundant blessings God has bestowed upon them. Thus, they always see themselves as falling short before the Truth and continually express humility and weakness before Him. They never move away from servitude to Him even by a hair’s breadth, and in His presence they see themselves only as a servant.
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said in one of his sermons:
“O people, do not let your worldly life distract you from your Hereafter. Do not prefer your desires over obedience to your Lord. Do not make your oaths a means for committing sins. Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable. Prepare yourselves before you are punished, and take provisions for the journey before you are driven to depart. For it is a standing place of justice, the claiming of rights, and questioning about duties; and the one who warns beforehand has given the fullest excuse.”
Amir al‑Mu’minin (peace be upon him) also said:
“Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable, and weigh yourselves before you are weighed. Examine yourselves regarding your deeds, demand from yourselves the fulfillment of your obligations, and take from your fleeting life what will benefit your everlasting one.”
