Wuqoof-e-Qalbi refers to the seeker’s continuous attention towards their heart, located just below the left chest at a distance of two fingers. Hazrat Khwaja Ubaidullah Ahrar (may Allah sanctify his secret) explains that the presence and awareness of the heart in the Divine Presence, to such an extent that the heart feels no need for anything other than Allah, is called Wuqoof-e-Qalbi.
Hazrat Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband Bukhari (may Allah sanctify his secret) did not consider holding the breath and paying attention to odd numbers (Wuqoof-e-Adadi) as necessary in dhikr, but deemed Wuqoof-e-Qalbi essential for it. Without Wuqoof-e-Qalbi, eliminating heedlessness is challenging, and actions performed in a state of heedlessness are ineffective. Mawlana Rumi (may Allah have mercy on him) points out the incongruity of having the tongue engage in tasbeeh (remembrance) while the heart is occupied with worldly thoughts, questioning the effectiveness of such remembrance.
“Your tongue performs Tasbeeh (remembrance of Allah), but your heart is filled with thoughts of cows and donkeys. What effect will such Tasbeeh have?”
Mawlana Rumi