Remembrance of Allah — Page 89
Twenty-two Methods of Concentration in Prayers 89 words that they will be reciting with their tongue will be dif- ferent from the meaning appearing in their minds, the con- sequence being that thoughts become dispersed. And when dispersion ensues, concentration cannot take hold. The peo- ple who know Arabic, even if they recite rapidly; though the meaning would come to their minds immediately, they [the meanings] will not get a chance to be absorbed into the heart. For this reason, they should also recite the Quran slowly and move forward with frequent pauses. This is not important just for the Quran. Rather, the same should be done during counselling and advising. Once Hadrat Abu Hurairah ra , was narrating a hadith quickly and forcefully. Hadrat ‘Aishah ra asked who he was and what he was doing. He told her his name and said that he was narrating a saying of the Holy Prophet s as. She asked, ‘Is this the manner in which the Holy Prophet s as used to speak?’ Upon hearing this he became silent. In short, this is a sunnah [practice] of the Holy Prophet s as that not only in the recitation of the Holy Quran but also in general counselling or advising he would speak slowly. Thus, in order to maintain attention you should also act upon this command and sunnah. In this way, concentration will be excel- lently maintained because there will be no confusion where the tongue has one thing upon it while the mind perceives something different within it. 12. The twelfth method is the one that has been enjoined by the Holy Prophet s as , but many people are negligent towards it. This method is that the Holy Prophet s as has said that when