Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey: In the fast-paced, technology-driven civilization of the twenty-first century, humanity is reaching new heights of material progress while simultaneously sinking deeper into the darkness of physical and mental exhaustion. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, hypertension, and even suicide—these are no longer merely personal afflictions; they have become some of the gravest challenges to Global Public Health. In response, medical scientists and psychologists worldwide have recognized meditation and mindfulness practices as alternative, non-pharmacological interventions. In this discussion, we will explore how the Islamic spiritual practice of Muraqabah—a deep meditative awareness of Allah’s presence—can serve as a vital means of rejuvenating the body and mind from the perspectives of modern Public Health and Global Health. Mental Health: A Global Crisis- According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report of 2023, nearly 97 million people worldwide suffer from some form of mental disorder, with anxiety and depression being the most common. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the global rate of these disorders increased by nearly 25%. Even more alarming is that, in many countries, nearly 90% of people with severe mental illnesses receive no treatment, due to health system limitations (WHO, 2023). In this context, mental well-being has now been declared a Global Health Priority. WHO recognizes Self-care, Mindfulness, and Compassion Practices as integral components of public health programs (UN World Mental Health Day, 2024). Meditation is therefore no longer merely a religious or philosophical pursuit; it has evolved into a scientifically validated public health therapy.

Meditation and the Scientific Revival of Body and Mind- Scientific research has shown that meditation positively influences the nervous system, hormones, cardiac functions, sleep, immunity, and even the structure of the brain.

1.Restoring Neural Balance- A 2019 study by Harvard Medical School found that regular meditation reduces the size of the amygdala (the brain’s fear and anxiety center) while activating the prefrontal cortex (responsible for reasoning and self-control). This enables individuals to remain calm even under pressure.

2. Reduced Cortisol and Increased- “Happiness Hormones” Meditation lowers the stress hormone cortisol while increasing serotonin and endorphins, which generate feelings of happiness and tranquility (Harvard, 2019).

3. Cardiovascular Health and Blood Pressure Control-The American Heart Association (AHA, 2020) reports that meditation can reduce average blood pressure by 8–10 mmHg. It also improves heart rate variability (HRV) and vascular flexibility, reducing the risk of heart disease.

4. Sleep and Neuroregeneration-According to the University of California, meditation increases gray matter density in the brain, enhancing learning, memory, and focus. Regular meditation can reduce insomnia by up to 60% (Sleep Research Society, 2021).

5. Strengthened Immune System-The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) reports that meditation helps maintain anti-inflammatory cytokine balance and enhances the activity of virus-fighting T-cells.

6. Neuroplasticity and Brain Rewiring-A 2018 Harvard Medical School study demonstrated that meditation fosters new neural connections (neural pathways), increasing neuroplasticity—which improves attention, self-control, and creative thinking.

Meditation in Global Health Practice- Meditation has now become an integral part of global public health strategies.

1. Medical Meditation- Across America, Europe, and Asia, hospitals have adopted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs. A Johns Hopkins University (2018) meta-analysis found that such meditation practices are as effective as medication in treating depression.

2. Corporate Health Programs- Global corporations such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft have implemented “Mindfulness at Work” programs to enhance employee well-being. Results show increased focus, resilience, and teamwork among employees.

3. United Nations and WHO Initiatives-Both the United Nations and WHO have recognized meditation as a core component of humanitarian health care. The key message of World Mental Health Day 2024 declared: “Mindfulness and Compassion are essential for global well-being.” The Islamic and Sufi Perspective: Muraqabah as Spiritual Healing- Meditation or focused awareness is not confined to any single religion. Islam also has a deep spiritual form of meditation known as Muraqabah. The Arabic word “Muraqabah” originates from “Raqaba,” meaning to observe carefully or to be watchful. In Islamic Sufism (Tasawwuf), it signifies being constantly aware of Allah’s presence and focusing one’s heart entirely upon Him.

The Qur’an says: Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying down, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth. (Surah Al-Imran, 3:191)

This “remembrance and reflection” is, in essence, the Islamic form of meditation—focusing the mind through remembrance of Allah. The great Sufi philosopher Imam Al-Ghazali (R.A.), in Ihya Ulum al-Din, described Muraqabah as the state in which the heart becomes steady in the awareness of Allah’s presence, and the mind becomes one-pointed. It is a contemplative exercise that dispels mental confusion and brings spiritual serenity. The eminent 19th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Naser Ali (R.A.) described Muraqabah as the highest stage of spiritual awakening. According to him, Muraqabah is not merely meditation but a process of inner purification and reaching closeness to the Divine. He said, “The heart immersed in Muraqabah perceives the light of the Lord within itself.” For Khwaja Nasir Ali (R.A.), Muraqabah was a form of therapy for the soul and heart, wherein the seeker transcends the boundaries of the self and submits body, mind, and spirit to divine love. Through regular Muraqabah, a person attains relief from anxiety, fear, and inferiority, replacing them with peace, patience, and profound faith.Scientific Effects of Muraqabah: Integrating Body, Mind, and Soul-1.Neuroendocrine Balance- Deep breathing during Muraqabah activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing cortisol and increasing dopamine and serotonin, bringing happiness, confidence, and calmness.2.Heart and Blood Pressure- As the American Heart Association (2020) noted, meditation reduces blood pressure by 8–10 mmHg. In Muraqabah, this benefit is even deeper, as it achieves cardiac relaxation not only physiologically but also spiritually.3.Improved Sleep Quality- Muraqabah enhances melatonin secretion, improving sleep quality. Studies show that regular meditative practice can increase sleep efficiency by more than 40%.4.Boosted Immunity-Meditation has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing chronic pain and autoimmune reactions while enhancing resistance to infections.5.Attention and Self-awareness- Muraqabah lowers activity in the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN), thereby reducing overthinking. It enhances self-control, moral awareness, and spiritual insight.6.Spiritual Awakening-Psychologists Carl Jung and William James noted that meditation awakens a “Higher Consciousness.” In Islamic terms, this is known as Ihsan—“to worship Allah as though you see Him.” Muraqabah: The Path to the Revival of Humanity- Modern medicine increasingly embraces the concept of Holistic Health, recognizing the interconnection between body, mind, and soul. Muraqabah uniquely harmonizes these three dimensions. It restores psychological balance, reorganizes biological systems, and awakens the soul to moral consciousness—all without medication. In today’s anxious and competitive world, Muraqabah can become a new “Rejuvenation Revolution”—a way for humanity to rediscover inner peace, for society to revive compassion, and for mankind to regain its lost mental equilibrium. As the saying goes: "When the mind finds peace, the body heals itself.” Muraqabah is precisely that path of peace—where science and spirituality converge, and humanity rediscovers its true essence.

Author: Senior Journalist, Executive Director of a non-government research and development organization, with long professional experience in the public health sector at BRAC University.

References:

1. World Health Organization (WHO) – Global Health Estimates, 2023

2. Harvard Medical School – Mindfulness and the Brain, 2018–2019

3. American Heart Association – Meditation and Cardiovascular Health, 2020

4. Johns Hopkins University – Meditation and Depression Meta-analysis, 2018

5. Sleep Research Society – Meditation and Sleep Quality, 2021

6. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) – Mindfulness and Immunity, 2022

7. Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din

8. The Holy Qur’an – Surah Al-Imran, Ayah Ulum