How to hear the voice of God in silence?

Your profound question about "hearing the voice of God in silence" delves into a deeply spiritual realm, rooted firmly in Quranic teachings and Islamic tradition. It’s crucial to understand that "God's voice" here does not refer to an audible sound, but rather to the perception of divine presence, the reception of subtle spiritual guidance, the feeling of inner peace and reassurance, and the comprehension of His messages manifest through His signs in creation and His words in the Holy Quran. The Quran repeatedly invites humanity to contemplate (Tafakkur), reflect (Tadabbur), remember (Dhikr), and rely (Tawakkul) upon God, all of which are pathways to achieving that inner "silence" and listening to the "voice" of divine guidance. To genuinely hear this inner divine voice, the first step is to cultivate true silence – not merely an absence of external noise, but a stillness from the clamor of thoughts, worldly anxieties, and the whisperings of the ego. This inner silence creates a receptive space for the human heart to receive divine inspirations and blessings. The Quran, in numerous verses, emphasizes the importance of a tranquil heart and the remembrance of God. For instance, in Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, it states: "الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ" (Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured). This verse explicitly declares that inner peace, a prerequisite for hearing the divine voice, is attained through Dhikr, the remembrance of God. Dhikr is not just the repetition of words but encompasses a continuous awareness of God's majesty, power, mercy, and presence in every moment of life. Another path to hearing God's voice is through "Tafakkur" and "Tadabbur" – deep contemplation and reflection on the universal and internal signs (Ayat). In the Quran, Allah invites humans to ponder deeply upon the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the creation of humanity, and other beings. Surah Al-Imran, verses 190 and 191, states: "إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ. الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ" (Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], 'Our Lord, You did not create this in vain; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire'). When a person, in silence and with a receptive heart, observes these signs, they grasp the Creator's grandeur. This comprehension itself is a form of "listening" and "hearing." It is as if every particle of existence, in its silent tongue, speaks of God's existence and power, and the receptive heart receives these messages. The Quran itself is the direct and unmediated word of God. Reading the Quran with contemplation and reflection (Tadabbur) is the most precise and luminous way to "hear God's voice." When we read a verse and process its meaning within our hearts and minds, we are, in essence, conversing with God, and He, through those very verses, speaks to us. Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 2, declares: "ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ" (This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah). This guidance is the divine voice that shows us the straight path. Prayer (Salat) and supplication (Dua) represent the pinnacle of direct communication between a human being and God. In prayer, we are in a dialogue with God, and through Dua, we present our desires and needs. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, it says: "وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ" (And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided). While God's response to prayer may not always be an immediate fulfillment of a request, the inner peace, spiritual guidance, and strength to face challenges felt after sincere prayer are themselves a profound form of "response" and "voice" from the Lord. This deep feeling of not being alone and being supported is precisely "God's voice" in the silence of the heart. Ultimately, hearing God's voice in silence means cultivating spiritual and heartfelt sensitivity to receive divine inspirations, understand truths, and discern the right path. This process requires abstaining from sins, purifying the soul from moral vices, and continuous practice of Dhikr and contemplation. When a person frees their heart from worldly clutter and turns it towards the Creator, they can receive divine signs and messages in daily occurrences, in the whisper of conscience, and in the peace felt after making righteous decisions. This personal and profound experience is the result of a life lived with piety, sincerity, and constant mindfulness. This inner voice, though not necessarily verbal, brings a deep conviction, a sudden insight, or a strong sense of being on the right path, which is unattainable from any material source and originates solely from the One Divine Being. This inner journey is a journey towards self-knowledge and knowledge of God, and the deeper it becomes, the clearer the voice of divine guidance will be heard.