What does the following statement mean:
Pondering for a moment is better than sixty years of worship?
Answer
The above narration is recorded as the statement of Sirri Saqti (rahimahullah)
(Kashful Khafa, vol: 1 pg: 278)
Pondering in this statement means pondering over the greatness of Allah Ta’ala (by looking at his marvelous creations). This is understood by the title of the chapters in which Abush Shaykh Al Asbahani (rahimahullah) has cited such narrations.
(Kitabul ‘Azamah, Chapters of pondering over the signs of Allah Ta’ala pg. 33)
Shaykh Sirri Saqti (rahimahullah) probably said this is because a person may gain more closeness to Allah Ta’ala and he may recognise Allah Ta’ala’s greatness to a much greater extent by pondering over his signs than if he had to engage in optional worship for many years.
Another meaning
‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) offers a different explanation. He says ‘pondering’ here means to ponder over the frightening events of the day of judgement and how under prepared we are for that day.
(Faydul Qadir, vol. 4 pg. 582)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar