The Qur’an uses the term Tafakkur, not in the general sense of ‘to think’ in any generic sense, but Tafakkur is the type of spiritual cognitive thinking that involves the heart and mind and our entire being that leads to uncovering deeper meanings and truth and evidence about reality that point to God. That’s the way in which the Qur’an uses it. Any violence done to this meaning of the word, I mean, when we try to reduce Tafakkur and Fikr to just a purely cognitive process or purely mental phenomenon or purely conceptual abstract process or purely logical process, then we’re doing violence to the term itself and abusing the Qur’anic term. So, the Qur’an is very rich in the way it understands this term.
– Excerpts from the lecture Tafakkur: Contemplating Nature by Dr Samir Mahmoud
The full lecture is available on YouTube.
‘Tafakkur’ is a spiritual concept meaning deep, mindful contemplation or reflection on God’s signs, the universe, the creation of the heavens and earth, the purpose of life, and one’s relationship with the divine.
It is considered an act of worship and a path to spiritual enlightenment, fostering awe, gratitude, and love for the Creator.
Universal Spirituality 