Here are a few
thoughts from His Eminence Ayatullah Behjat
(One of the great Alims and Mystics of our
time) on the issue of concentration during
prayers.
Sheikh Muhsin Gharavian was once granted
audience in the presence of Ayatullah al-Udhma
Shaikh Muhammad Taqi Behjat (may the
Almighty prolong his blessed presence
amongst us) and asked him:
"O Scholar!
Despite our advanced age we haven't have yet
experienced the pleasure of worship
especially the sweetness of communication
with God in salaat. According to your
opinion what should we do to experience even
a little pleasure of what our Infallible
Imams have promised us?"
His eminence nodded his head and said:
(Dear son) "Actually this is a universal
problem. All of us are plagued with this
ailment."
The Sheikh was
not satisfied with the answer and requested
him for more concrete advice: "Our status
differs from that which you have achieved,
you've attained the heights of spirituality
while we are the beginners! what should we
do?"
His Eminence said: "May be I also wish I
could acquire your status!"
Not contented with the self-effacing answer,
he requested for more clarification. His
Eminence replied: "In order to acquire
the necessary concentration in Salaah one
should observe
a)
certain pre-requisites before Salaah and
b) certain discipline during Salaah.
Explanation:
a) before Salaah one should
observe Taqwa (God consciousness) and
one should abstain from all sins that
lead to darkening of the God-given
purity of heart. SINS POLLUTE THE PURITY
OF THE HEART and therefore reduce the
luminosity of the heart.
b) during Salaah one should erect
a "high security wire" around one's
heart such that no unwanted trespasser
(distracting devilish thoughts) is
allowed inside the holy sanctuary of the
heart. One's thoughts should be
intensely directed towards God and none
other than Him should be allowed in. And
if one's thoughts start straying,
immediately the moment one comes to
know, one should guide these towards the
right direction.
Once His
Eminence was asked as to how to increase
concentration in one's daily prayers?
Initially His Eminence put his face down and
then raised his head and responded:
"The oil in the lamp seems to be low!"
meaning that the Ma'refat (awareness) of the
All- Magnificent One is not enough (as to
experience the sweetness of spiritual
communication) and therefore needs to be
enriched and one's Imaan (faith) is weak and
hence needs to be strengthened.
Ustad Khusro Shaahi quotes:
"Once His Eminence was asked how can we
create in ourselves concentration during
prayers?"
His Eminence replied:
"One of the factors which help create
concentration is by exercising control over
our physical senses (ie EYES, EARS, TONGUE
etc) throughout the day since concentration
can only be created through proper
preliminary requirements which include the
close monitoring of the physical senses."
On one occasion His Eminence Ayatullah al-Udhma
Behjat was asked:
"What should we do in order to obtain the
state of total obedience to God's commands
especially His command that states in Sura
Muminoon, Verses 1-2 - "Indeed
successful are the Believers, those who
humble themselves in their prayers" How can
a believer acquire this lofty state of
humility?"
His Eminence replied:
"At the beginning of prayers one should
sincerely seek intercession of the Awaited
Imam of the time (May the Almighty hasten
his re-appearance and include us from his
helpers) and perform the prayers in its
required manner."
And finally when His Eminence Ayatullah Al-Udhma
Behjat was asked:
"How does one achieve a presence of mind in
Salaat and obtain control over one's
thoughts and feelings?"
His Eminence wrote back in reply:
"In His Name, the Exalted the moment when
you acquire attention (towards your Lord) do
not allow it to disappear."
