Presence in the Now vs. Presence with God
: A Qur’anic Exploration of the Highest Form of Consciousness
In contemporary spiritual discussions, especially those influenced by psychology and Eastern traditions, the concept of “being present in the Now” or Mindfulness is often described as the secret of power. It is argued that when the mind ceases its wandering—away from regrets of the past and anxieties of the future—and rests fully in the present moment, one touches peace, focus, and even a form of awakening.
This idea has undeniable benefits for mental health and well-being. Yet from the perspective of the Qur’an and Islamic spirituality, we must ask: Is the ultimate secret of power truly just presence in the Now? Or is it something greater—the awareness of God, the Infinite Being who created both time and the moment?
The Qur’an consistently points us to a reality far beyond mere “mindfulness.” It calls us to Taqwa—God-consciousness—an awareness that not only encompasses the present moment but transcends it by connecting us to the Eternal.
1. The Appeal and Limits of Mindfulness
The practice of Mindfulness as taught in modern psychology and spirituality emphasizes anchoring attention in the present—through breathing, sensations, or the immediate environment. The benefit is clear: when attention is freed from the endless cycle of past and future thoughts, the mind feels clarity and calm.
But this state remains fundamentally self-referential. The individual becomes aware of their inner processes, their breath, their body, their immediate sensations—but not necessarily of anything beyond themselves. It produces tranquility, but this tranquility is fragile. It depends on the discipline of practice and can vanish as soon as external stress intrudes.
In other words, mindfulness treats the symptoms of distraction, but does not address the metaphysical hunger of the soul.
2. The Qur’anic Perspective: Presence with God
The Qur’an invites us to a form of presence infinitely greater: the awareness of God (Allah), the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence.
“And He is with you wherever you are.”
(Qur’an 57:4)
This verse presents a paradigm-shift. The human being is never merely “in the moment”; the human being is always already in the presence of God. What is required is not simply mindfulness, but God-consciousness (Taqwa)—the act of remembering, sensing, and responding to that Divine Presence.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ captured this reality in one of the most profound hadiths of all spirituality:
“That you worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, then indeed He sees you.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
This is not just presence in the Now; it is presence with the Eternal. It is not simply about silencing thoughts but about orienting thought, feeling, and action toward the Infinite.
3. Why Awareness of God is the Strongest Presence
The Qur’an presents Taqwa as the key to strength, liberation, and clarity in life:
“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from where he does not expect.”
(Qur’an 65:2–3)
Here, the fruit of God-consciousness is not merely inner peace, but concrete transformation: escape from difficulty, provision beyond calculation, and alignment with Divine Wisdom.
Mindfulness may calm the mind, but only God-consciousness reshapes destiny.
This is because:
- Mindfulness connects you to your breath.
- God-consciousness connects you to the One who grants you breath.
- Mindfulness frees you from mental chatter.
- God-consciousness frees you from illusion itself, anchoring you in truth.
4. Fitrah: The Human Nature That Seeks the Infinite
Human beings are created with an innate nature—the Fitrah—that yearns for the Absolute. This is why presence without God always feels incomplete. A person may experience calm in mindfulness, but an existential restlessness lingers, because the soul was not created to be satisfied with the self; it was created to be satisfied with the Creator.
“So set your face towards the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created people.”
(Qur’an 30:30)
When a human being awakens to God-consciousness, they see the world with new eyes: every moment is no longer empty time, but a mirror of Divine Reality. The “Now” becomes a sacred sign. This is the true presence.
5. The Language of Modern Spirituality vs. Qur’anic Reality
Secular or non-theistic spirituality often speaks of:
- Transcendence of Thought
- Consciousness Beyond Thought
- Enlightenment
These concepts attempt to describe states where the human mind transcends its ordinary limits. But they often stop short of pointing to the Source of existence itself. They remain descriptive of psychological states, not metaphysical realities.
By contrast, the Qur’an speaks of Taqwa (mindfulness of God), Ihsan (excellence through awareness of His presence), Khushu‘ (humble attentiveness to Him). These are not mere psychological conditions; they are existential orientations toward the Infinite. They do not just transcend thought—they transcend creation by connecting directly to the Creator.
“Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
(Qur’an 13:28)
This is the Qur’anic definition of true “enlightenment.”
6. The Real Secret of the Now
Thus we arrive at the decisive comparison:
- Presence in the Now may grant momentary clarity.
- Presence with God grants eternal clarity.
- Mindfulness offers self-mastery.
- Taqwa offers alignment with Divine mastery.
- Mindfulness ends in the self.
- God-consciousness opens into the Infinite.
The Now is powerful not because it is the Now, but because it is the arena in which God reveals Himself to you.
As the Qur’an reminds us:
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the Truth.”
(Qur’an 41:53)
Conclusion
Mindfulness teaches us to “be present in the moment.” But the Qur’an calls us to something greater: be present with Allah in the moment.
This is not only the highest form of consciousness but the essence of human existence. To live with Taqwa is to transform the fleeting Now into a doorway to eternity.
Modern spirituality calls this Consciousness Beyond Thought or Enlightenment. The Qur’an names it more beautifully: Taqwa, Ihsan, and Dhikr Allah—God-consciousness, excellence through His presence, and remembrance of Him.
And this is not just the secret of psychological strength. It is the secret of existence itself.