ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Soaring to the Only Beloved Part 3: Levels of Attention in Prayer ...the level of the heart's conviction is extremely different from intellectual comprehension. There are many things man has grasped intellectually, but has not attained the heart's conviction, and his heart does not confirm what his intellect says...

Clearly, not all who aspire to realize attention in prayer immediately possess the ability to ascend to the most recommended of all the levels of attention. To define all the levels of attention is beyond the scope of this limited treatise. We shall only briefly look at some of the recommended levels of attention in prayer, so that we may know where we stand and what our target should be. Discussing the higher levels would require an introduction, which is beyond the scope of this treatise.

Those interested, however, in having information beyond what is covered over here, may refer to the advanced texts available on this subject. Attention in prayer is sometimes divided into two kinds: Attention to the act of worship. Attention to the Worshipped One.

'Attention to the act of worship' in turn is of various levels, some of which can be attained with practice by a majority of people, whereas others can only be realized by those who have thoroughly purified themselves from the taints of sins and attained the proximity of Almighty Allah. 'Attention to the Creator', however, can be experienced by only those who enjoy the higher levels of the previous kind of attention. This should, however, not make us believe that we cannot attain such levels.

Rather, they are attainable, but need continual spiritual struggle and steadfastness.