On invocation

Many people complain of a lack of concentration in their invocations and the incidence of stray thoughts. Some even abandon their invocation on account of this. The Shaykh therefore advises such people that one should not abandon invocation because of a lack of concentration. The lack of concentration is only one calamity, but at least the existence of invocation is with one, even though it is accompanied by forgetfulness. Yet in the event of abandoning invocation altogether, it will not be simply invocation without concentration, but the loss of invocation itself. The state of abandoning invocation is, therefore, extremely grave. Invocation with forgetfulness is far superior to the total abandonment of invocation.

In the state of invocation with a heart that is negligent, at least the tongue is involved with invocation. However, in contrast to the state were both tongue and heart are inert, having abandon the invocation of Allah Most High, even mere verbal invocation is a valuable treasure. Providing encouragement, the Shaykh further adds that it is quite possible that Allah Most High may improve the quality of one's invocation. The initial invocation without concentration can progress to the stage where concentration will be achieved and stray thoughts cease. It will then be the invocation of wakefulness and concentration. In this stage of invocation, the heart will not drift toward the stray thoughts of the ego. The verbal invocation at this time will keep the heart alert; and one will then taste pleasure in this very invocation.

This progress will then continue to the stage where the spiritual presence [of the heart] accompanies the invocation. This is the achievement of the heart's attention to the verbal invocation. In a state of spiritual presence, invocation becomes the attribute of the heart, just as seeing is the attribute of the eye. Thus, invocation becomes the permanent attribute of the heart.