Muraqaba in Sight of St. John of the Cross and Ala Al-Dawla Semnani

Muraqaba is one of the important topics in the mystical conduct of the mystical traditions in Christianity and Islam. Whether it is contemplation or status, there is a difference between the mystics of these two traditions, which is widely mentioned in mysticism. Among the mystics of these two religious traditions, we can mention St. John of the Cross and Ala Al-Dawla Semnani, who spoke about contemplation, and comparing the views of the two has led to novel results. Both believe that in order for Contemplation to take place, seclusion must be practiced, without which contemplation cannot be achieved. While emphasizing both of them, focusing on the environment, ignoring the environment, becoming unconscious, thinking to reach nearness to God, loving attention to God, denying outward thoughts and senses, patience and perseverance prayer in contemplation have been considered as important factors in Muraqaba. Nevertheless, Ala Al-Dawla Semnani considers the mention of language and heart necessary for the seeker to achieve Muraqaba, but according to St. John of the Cross, one should proceed only with God without performing any special deeds. How to enter Contemplation is also different from the point of view of these two mystics. In the method of St. John of the Cross is likened to a ladder and it is stated in general, but Al-Dawla Semnani has explained the conditions and methods of Muraqaba in more detail. In processing the methods of Muraqaba, John is more detailed than Semnani and gives more details.