Hazrat Moulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (rahmatullahi ‘alaihi) once advised:
“No matter how unmindful a person may be, but when he takes the name of Allah Ta‘ala, it certainly has an effect on him.”
The thought may arise that when we sit down to make zikr, numerous thoughts plague the mind, hence what benefit does such zikr have? It is incorrect to think in this manner; what benefit is derived from this type of zikr? Zikr performed inattentively also has its merit. Has Allah Ta‘ala not made it possible for the tongue to engage in zikr?
This indeed is a very great favour of His. We should express our gratitude to Allah Ta‘ala for this favour and plead to Him to make our hearts more attentive. Both the tongue and heart are in the control of Allah Ta‘ala. He has made it possible for the tongue to take His name so He will also ensure that the heart is affected by it. We may be unable to perceive this effect, but we should place our trust in Him.
(Discourses of Faqeeh-ul-Ummah Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi, vol. 2, pg. 17)