['Aalim Network QR] Du`a for Concentration

["Akil M. Karim" <amk@io.org>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salamun `Alaykum

The following question was kindly answered by Shaykh Hamid.


Fee Amaanillah,

Akil Karim
Acting Moderator for ABDG-A

---------- Forwarded message ----------

                                 Bismihi Ta'ala

QUESTION:

I was wondering if anyone knows of any particular d'ua that someone could
recommend to me for concentrating because it seems to be a serious
problem that I have.


ANSWER:

Lack of concentration is a common problem that many of us encounter and it
emanates from a lack of focus and orientation in one's life.  The acts of
rituals and du'as that we recite are very much geared to give us that
direction and focus.  Some of the things that our Imams (a.s.) have
recommended to remedy this situation are as follows: 

1. Place your hand on your forehead and recite:  

	Salla-l-laahu alaa Muhammad wa aal-e Muhammad.  Allahumma inni 
	as'aluka yaa mudhakkira-l khayr wa faa'ilahu wa-l-aamimira bihi 
	dhakkir-ni maa ansaani-hi-sh- shaytan.

Translation:

	Blessings of God be upon Muhammad and his progeny.  O God
        I ask You, the One who mentions goodness and actualizes it 
        and commands it, remind me of that which the shaytan makes me 
        forget.

2. To fast and recite the Qur'an, especially Ayat-ul-Kursi.

3. Eat raisins, grains, lentils, honey, sour apple, cheese.

4. Take a walk.

5. To avoid committing sins and not be distracted by the world.

6. To begin every act with the praise (hamd) of God and by glorifying
   Him and recite:

	     Allahumma anta-l-awwal fa laysa qablaka shay. wa anta-
             -l aakhiru fa laysa ba'daka shay. wa anta-z-zaahiru fa 
             laysa fawqaqa shay. wa anta-l-baatinu fa laysa dunaka 
             shay. wa anta-l-'azizu-l- hakim.

Translation: 

	     O God, You are the first and there was none before You. And
	     You are the last and there is none after You. And you are the 
	     Apparent and there is none above You.  And You are the Hidden and 
	     there is none below You. You are the Mighty and the Wise. 

The above regimented exercise is designed to train our mind, body and
soul to focus all our concentration and energy on the one and only
transcendental Reality worthy of all our attention - Allah (s.w.t.). The
way of attaining this goal is through personal spiritual purification and
service to humanity. 

Source: "Mafatih-ul-Jinan," pp. 523-26 (Beirut, n.d.)


wa bi-l-laahi-t-tawfiq,

Hamid Mavani