Third, it more fully expresses the humble pleading and reverence that are the spirit, essence, and purpose of supplication. The humble, submissive suppliant asks as one who is needy and lowly: his heart is broken, his limbs subdued, and his voice hushed. Indeed, his humility, neediness, brokenness, and pleading may almost render his tongue powerless, unable to utter a word. His heart asks, seeks, and implores, while his tongue remains silent from the intensity of his humility, pleading, and neediness. In such a state, raising one’s voice in supplication is simply not possible.
Fourth, it is more conducive to sincerity.
Fifth, it more fully concentrates the heart upon Allah during supplication. Raising the voice scatters and distracts the heart. The more he lowers his voice, the more complete his praise becomes, and the more exclusively he directs his resolve and purpose towards the One he calls upon, glorified is He.
Sixth—and this is a particularly subtle and remarkable insight—it indicates the supplicant’s closeness to Allah. Having drawn near to Him and being keenly attentive in His presence, he petitions Him as one would someone closest to him. He addresses Him intimately, as one who is near addresses another who is near, rather than calling out as someone far away calls to another far away.
For this reason, Allah, glorified is He, praised His servant Zechariah, saying:
“When he called upon his Lord in a quiet voice.”
The more the heart is conscious of Allah’s nearness, recognizing that He is nearer than anyone else who is near, and the more vividly it apprehends this, the more quietly the person supplicates, as far as he can. He cannot bring himself to raise his voice; indeed, he regards it as inappropriate. Likewise, if someone were addressing a companion seated beside him who could hear his quiet speech, yet raised his voice excessively, that would be considered unseemly. To Allah belongs the highest description; glory be to Him.
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, indicated precisely this meaning in an authentic hadith. When the Companions raised their voices proclaiming Allah’s greatness while travelling with him, he said:
“Be easy on yourselves. You are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent. You are calling upon One who hears and is near—nearer to any of you than the neck of his mount.”
Allah, Most High, also says:
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”
It has been reported that the occasion of this verse’s revelation was that the Companions said, “O Messenger of Allah, is our Lord near, so that we may address Him quietly, or far away, so that we should call out to Him?” Then Allah, Mighty and Majestic, revealed:
“And when you are asked