Steps to Develop Khushoo' During Salah

Have complete awareness during salah

During salah you should empty your heart of any worldly matters that may distract you from prayer.Salah is not the time to think about a basketball game, a TV show or the food that is cooking in the kitchen. Sometimes your thoughts may wander, but you should try your best to concentrate on your salah. An ayah in the Qur'an reminds us:

﴿وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ ۖ وَلَلدَّارُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ﴾

"And the life of this world is nothing but play and joy. But far better is the Hereafter for those who fear Allah,don't you understand." [6:32]

So, during salah the only thing you should concentrate on is salah. If anything else comes tomind try your best to block it out.Remember that Shaytan always tries to distract you. And you should not let Shaytan win!

Understand what you are saying during salah

We say the entire salah in the Arabic language. Understanding what you are saying during salah is very important to having proper khushoo". If you understand what you recite, then you will be able to connect your heart with the words. You should memorize the different words meanings that are said during prayer. This includes Allahu Akbar, Subhana Rabiyal Atheem, Subhana RabiyalAala, the tasleem, etc..Memorizing the meanings of surahs and dua'a that you frequently say during Salah will help you develop khushoo'.

Feel Allah's greatness in your heart during salah

We know that Allah is AlAtheem (the Great). He owns and controls everything in this universe. He is Al-Muhaymin. We should then love, glorify and fearaAllah. Glorifying Allah helps us increase our khushoo' during salah.

Pray in a calm place

We should always pray in a calm and peaceful place; a place that does not have much noise or eye distractions. You should avoid praying in places where there isloud noise or a lot of people talking. Also, It is not a good idea to pray near the TV when it is on or near children who are playing or screaming.

Looking at the floor while in salah will help in developing khushoo'. Eye distraction usually makes us think about what wesee, causing us to lose focus on the prayer. Therefore, we should always pray in a place that has no distracting movements or objects in front of us. rasoolullah instructed us to look at the floor to where we place our heads in sujood. This way we do not get distracted by things or movements around us.

Pray when you are relaxed

Some people pray or worship Allah when they are tired or hungry or need to use the bathroom.This is against the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. Rasoolullah instructedus to pray when we are comfortable and relaxed. When we are comfortable we can attain khushoo', but when we feel uncomfortable we lack khushoo'.

Finally, remember that khushoo' is the heart of your prayer and worship. If you lose focus and concentration during salah or worship, it will not be as good as Allah wants it to be. Allah,during the Day of Judgment, who?will ask us about the quality of our prayer. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
"The first action for which servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayers. If they are in order then he will have succeeded ,but if they are lacking, then everything will be lacking."

Dua'a

اللهم إني أعوذ بك من علم لا ينفع ومن قلب لا يخشع ، ومن نفس لا تشبع.

Transliteration :

Allahumma inni a'oothu bika min ilmin la yanfa, wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min da watin la yustajabu laha

Translation :

O Allah I seek your protection from useless knowledge, a heart without khushoo', a body that doesn't get satisfied and a dua'a that you do not answer. Reported in Muslim

إقرأ المزيد :