Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/267

 246 thousands of times, and is, therefore, considered the most meritorious.

It is related that Maulaví Habíb Ullah, now living in the village of Gabásanri, in the Gadún country, on the Peshawur frontier, has become such an adept in the performance of this zarb, that he recites the first part of the zikr-lá-iláha with the exhalation of his breath after the midday prayer; and the second part, il-lal-lá-ho, with the inhalation of his breath before the next time of prayer, thus sustaining his breath for the period of about three hours!

Another act of devotion, which usually accompanies the zikr, is that of Muráqaba, or meditation.

The worshipper first performs zikr of the following—

Allaho-házarí, "God the present one."

Allaho-názarí, "God the seer."

Allaho-sháhidí, "God who witnesses."

Allaho-maí, "God who is with us."

Having recited this zikr, either aloud or mentally, the worshipper proceeds to meditate upon some verse or verses of the Quran. Those recommended for the Qádiría Faqírs by Maulaví