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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Prayer, page : 36
where it lies. Stray thoughts may be prompted by something external, or they
may arise from within.
As for external causes, our attention is caught by anything that happens to
engage our eyes or ears. We begin to take an interest in it. Then one thought
leads to another and the process goes on and on. Seeing gives rise to thinking,
then one thought becomes the cause of another. Sensory impressions do not
divert those who intention is strong and whose aspiration is lofty, but they
inevitably distract the weak. The remedy lies in cutting off these causes by
lowering the eyes, praying in a room, leaving no distracting objects in front of
one, or reducing one‟s range of vision by praying close up to a wall. One should
avoid performing the prayer on the street, in places where there is artificial
decoration and on colored carpets.
That is why very devout people used to worship in a small dark cell, where there
was just enough room for prostration, for it is easier to concentrate in such
conditions. Those who were strong would attend the mosques, keeping their
may arise from within.
As for external causes, our attention is caught by anything that happens to
engage our eyes or ears. We begin to take an interest in it. Then one thought
leads to another and the process goes on and on. Seeing gives rise to thinking,
then one thought becomes the cause of another. Sensory impressions do not
divert those who intention is strong and whose aspiration is lofty, but they
inevitably distract the weak. The remedy lies in cutting off these causes by
lowering the eyes, praying in a room, leaving no distracting objects in front of
one, or reducing one‟s range of vision by praying close up to a wall. One should
avoid performing the prayer on the street, in places where there is artificial
decoration and on colored carpets.
That is why very devout people used to worship in a small dark cell, where there
was just enough room for prostration, for it is easier to concentrate in such
conditions. Those who were strong would attend the mosques, keeping their