A novice murid wrote his condition:
‘In namaz for khushoo I concentrate on the wordings of the recitation (as instructed). For zikr and tilawat, should I do similarly or concentrate on the meanings?’
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Amin) replied:
“It is best on both, if possible. Otherwise which ever is achievable.”
Trying his best to do as instructed after some considerable time the same individual wrote:
‘In zikr and namaz instead of concentrating on words and meaning I get focused on a thought as though Allah is present and He is watching me. Sometimes this thought is strong and at others it is weak. Is this thinking appropriate for me? Also if I voluntary try and keep this thought I can not concentrate on words and meanings.’
Shaykh said:
“Concentrating on words and meanings are a stepping stone and are for the purpose of creating this focusing that Allah is present and He is watching. All praise is for Allah, progress up the stairs occurred. Whatever excessive thankfulness (to Allah) is done for this blessing can not be enough.
Allah increase it manifolds.”