Remembrance of Allah — Page 79
Twenty-two Methods of Concentration in Prayers 79 the sake of God, God Almighty caused his progeny to grow so much that it is innumerable like the stars in the sky. Thereafter, many a Prophet were born in his progeny and finally, that man who came as a Prophet to the whole of mankind was from his progeny as well. Thus, when someone stands up to pray turning his face towards Makkah, and he understands the wisdom behind the injunction to face in this direction to offer the S al a t, the inci- dent regarding Hadrat Ishmael as immediately impacts him. There develops in his mind attention to the fact that God, for whose worship he is now standing, is the Lord of Great Honour and Immense Power. As this realization dawns, his scattered thoughts are removed and go down under the effect of the grandeur and glory of God Almighty. 4. The fourth method the Holy Prophet s as has enjoined the calling of the Adh a n [Call to Prayer]. When it is proclaimed loudly, All a ho Akbar, All a ho Akbar [‘Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest’], then although S al a t does not start immediately at that time, those who are to offer S al a t are informed thereby that they should come to the mosque to offer the S al a t, thoroughly reflecting and realizing that they are presenting themselves before the Glorious God of Great Honour. Thus, when anyone hears the Adh a n, the grandeur and eminence of God Almighty will have a special effect upon him and, as a result of this, his attention will remain focused upon his S al a t. The Holy Prophet s as has said that the Adh a n is called to put Satan to flight. It is narrated in a hadith that when the Adh a n is called, Satan runs far away.