Outline

Introduction

Alhamdulillah; infinite thanks and praises are due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May His Peace and Blessings be upon the master of Khaashi'oun, Habibi Muhammad, his family members, companions, and all those who follow their guided path, till the Day of Judgment.

In my previous article, ‘Why do I Find it Difficult to Pray?‘, we promised each other, that today, we will discuss and then share, trying to find out; how to focus and attain khushū' in prayers. Before we proceed, it's important that we remember this: The previous article is about how to get on our feet and pray. Whether or not we focus in the prayers and concentrate; that is what we are going to discuss in this article, insha Allah. Therefore, I assume that, you have read that article beforehand, and also, you have enough time for this ‘another long' reading. 🙂

So, what is ‘khushū', in the first place?

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What is Khushū’?

‘Khushū' is an Arabic word:  خُشُوع, which literally means ‘submissiveness' or ‘humbleness’. Its verb is خَشَعَ (khasa'a), and its subject is (those who practise and apply khushū') is خَاشِعٌ (khaashi') (in singular form) and خَاشِعُونَ (khaashi'oun), (in plural form). The subject means the “humbly submissive”.

Allah has described the humbly submissive (Khaashi'oun) in the Qur’an as, those “who know for certain, that they will meet their Lord, and that they will return to Him.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:46].

Allah has therefore used the term ‘khaashi'oun’ to describe the true believers, ‘Al-Mu’minoun’, when He said: “Successful indeed are the believers; those who are during their prayers, khaashi'ūn (humbly submissive).” [Surah Al-Mu’minoun, 23: 1-2].

Based on the above, I define ‘khushū” as “the state of observing Allah, showing humility in His Presence, and hoping for His Mercy and Favour”.

In Qur’anic context, ‘khushū’’ may involve one’s body, sight, voice, and most importantly, his heart. When the heart submits and humbles, the entire body is likely to follow in humbleness and submissiveness.

So, any feeling that leads to observing Allah and fearing Him is simply ‘khushū’, and that should have some impacts on one’s actions. This means, when we are not physically able to settle and be calm during prayers; I’m afraid, it’s because our hearts are not in the state of khushū’ yet.

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The Khaashi’oun in the Qur’an

There are several verses in the Qur'an, which indicate ‘khushū' and ‘khāshi'oun' (submissiveness and the submissive). I would like to present seven of them, with their English translation, and I leave it to you, to ponder upon them.

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ * الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو رَ‌بِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَ‌اجِعُونَ

“And seek help through patience and prayers, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]. Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.” [Al-Baqarah, 2:44-45].

وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَمَن يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّـهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ خَاشِعِينَ لِلَّـهِ لَا يَشْتَرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّـهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

“And indeed, among the People of the Scripture are those who believe in Allah and what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, [being] humbly submissive to Allah. They do not exchange the verses of Allah for a small price. Those will have their reward with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in account.” [Surah Aali Imran, 3:199].

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ

“Indeed, they (Zakaria a.s. and his family) used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa, 21:90].

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ * الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ

“Successful indeed are the believers; those who are during their prayers, khaashi'oun (humbly submissive).” [Surah Al-Mu'moun, 23:1-2].

إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّـهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” [Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:35].

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنَّكَ تَرَى الْأَرْضَ خَاشِعَةً فَإِذَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ اهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ إِنَّ الَّذِي أَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

“And of His signs is that you see the earth stilled, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and grows. Indeed, He who has given it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed, He is over all things competent.” [Surah Fussilat, 41:39].

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّـهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.” [Surah Al-Hashr, 59:21]

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Benefits of Khushū’ in Prayers

These are some of the benefits of performing prayers with focus and humbly submissiveness:

• Praying with ‘khushū’ grants success and survival. Success towards the pleasure of Allah, and survival from the Hell-Fire.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ * الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ

“Successful indeed are the believers; those who are during their prayers, khaashi'oun (humbly submissive).” [Surah Al-Mu'moun, 23:1-2]

• A focused prayer, I mean a prayer, which is performed with full consciousness and attention, total submission and humbleness, prevents one from mischief and evil doing. Allah will never say it wrong!

وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ، إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ

“… and establish prayers. Indeed, prayers prohibit immorality and wrongdoing…” [Al-Ankabout, 29:45].

• A prayer performed with khushū' ensures and guarantees us forgiveness for our sins, till the next prayers. Imam Muslim related a Hadeeth in which Rasulullah ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam said:

مَا مِنِ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ تَحْضُرُهُ صَلاةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ فَيُحْسِنُ وُضُوءَهَا وَخُشُوعَهَا وَرُكُوعَهَا، إِلاَّ كَانَتْ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا قَبْلَهَا مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ مَا لَمْ تُؤْتَ كَبِيرَةٌ، وَذَلِكَ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ

“No Muslim who witnesses prayers, and he masters the wudhu' for it, and focuses (applies khushū') in it, unless it has become ‘kaffarah' (it expiates) all his sins that have come to pass before that prayers, as long as he does not commit great sin (kabair). This is applicable for all time.”

• One's reward from any prayers is according to the amount of khushū' applied in. Rasulullah says in a Hadeeth narrated by Imam Ahmad:

إِنَّ العَبْدَ لَيُصَلِّي الصَّلاةَ مَا يُكْتَبُ لَهُ مِنْهَا إِلاَّ عُشُرُهَا، تُسُعُهَا، ثُمُنُهَا، سُبُعُهَا، سُدُسُهَا، خُمُسُهَا، رُبُعُهَا، ثُلُثُهَا، نِصْفُهَا

“A slave may pray, but none of its rewards is written, except one-tenth of it, or one-ninth of it, or one-eighth of it, or one-seventh of it, or one-sixth of it, or one-fifth of it, or a quarter of it, or one-third of it, or a half of it.”

• When one performs a focused prayer, they develop good feeling of tranquillity, without realizing the source and cause of that good feeling of tranquility. This is why Rasulullah used to ask to Billal, r.a. to call for prayer, so they can get that good feeling from it.

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How to Attain Khushū’ in Prayer?

Here is an attempt to suggest some tips and ways which we can observe and practise, as possible, in the hope to achieve khushū' in our prayers, insha Allah:

• Remember why you are standing for prayers: It’s important for anyone who stands to perform prayers, to remember that, we stand for prayer, in a response to “حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلاَةِ، حَيَّ عَلَى الفَلاَحِ”, which simply means, “Come for prayers.. Come to success”. No success without effort been put in, to focus. Once you have decided to respond to the call, then consider praying on time;
• Pray on time, as possible: Avoid delaying your prayers. Performing prayers on time will help in one of the following:

1. One is likely to perform his prayers at peace of mind.
2. One is likely to perform some ‘nawafil' before the fardh, itself.
3. The chance is that, one will spend some extra five minutes with Allah after ‘Assalamu alaikum'.

To pray on time, let's go and get ready;

• Get ready; prepare yourself for prayers, and go to the mosque, early: Proper opening leads to focused content, and eventually, satisfying ending, insha Allah. How to start appropriately if we are not prepared?Go and eat, if you are hungry. Hunger will distract you from your prayers, especially, if your meal is ready, and you are getting tempted by its aroma. If you need to go to the gents or to the ladies (lavatory) accordingly, please do so.

• Take ablution for any other prayer: This way, you are preparing your mind (yourself) for the prayer. Having this in mind will also help you to prepare for the prayers, earlier.When taking wudhu, it's important, to perform it with attention and care. As you take wudhu, imagine; a day will come that you won't be able to perform wudhu for yourself, but someone else will be doing it, on you, for you. Someone, whom you might have never imagine them to be able to put their hand on you (your body). As you wash your face (attentively), supplicate to Allah to grant you brightness in your face, in this life and in the next. As you wash your right hand, imagine the day your record book of deeds will be handed to you; ask Allah to make you among those receiving theirs with their right hands. As you wash your left hand, seek refuge in Allah, from collecting your record book of deeds with your left hand. As you wipe your head, ask Allah to forbid the Hell Fire on your hair and flesh. When washing (wiping) your ears, seek from Allah to make you among those who listen and accept the truth. Upon washing your feet, beg Allah to help you cross the ‘sirat' with ease. This way, your wudhu' becomes full of self-reflection and supplications. A good start for a perfect prayer, insha Allah!Imam Al-Nawawi mentioned in his book, Al-Azkar, that some righteous ‘Salaf' used to reflect when taking ‘wudhu', as mentioned above.

  After your successful wudhu, it's time to experience ‘the perfect prayers'. To do that, consider leaving the Dunia at the entrance of the mosque. So;

• Switch off from ‘Dunia mode’ into ‘Akhirah mode’: Mosques are built to isolate us from the worldly life when we enter our prayers. In order to be in true prayers, we need to leave the worldly life behind, at the entrance of the mosque. To remind us of the importance of leaving the Dunia behind us, when entering the mosque, Rasulullah taught would say when he enters the mosque:

أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ العَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ القَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ. بِسْمِ اللهِ، وَالصَّلاةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

“I seek refuge in Allah, the Supreme; in His Noble Face; in His eternal authority, from the accursed devil. In the name of Allah. May His Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.  O Allah, open the doors of Your Mercy for me.”

And he, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam, would enter the mosque with his blessed right leg, first. If you want to totally switch from ‘Dunia mode' into ‘Akhirah mode', consider switching off your mobile phone.

• Switch off your phone! A proper opening leads to a focused content and eventually satisfying ending, insha Allah. How to start appropriately if we are not prepared? How do we get prepared with our phones switched on?I didn't say put your phone on ‘silent mode' or on ‘airplane mode'! However, there’s a difference between putting our phones on ‘silent mode’ and putting them on ‘airplane mode’. If you put your phone on silent mode, you can do with it, anything a phone does, only that, it won’t ring loud when there’s an incoming call, SMS, or a reminder (alarm). But with airplane mode, you are disconnected from the cellular network coverage. So you won’t be able to make or receive calls, nor use the internet; also, there will be no Facebooking or tweeting, until you deactivate the ‘airplane mode’ function again.To really focus in prayers, one must learn to switch off their phone. Only put it on ‘airplane mode' if you are certain that you won't be triggered to play the games, installed in it.

• What if your phone accidentally rings? Take it out of your pocket, and turn it off. If we can kill snake during prayers (that's if you are brave enough to kill a snake 🙂 ), open the door during prayers (if the need arises while we are in prayers), carry babies in prayers, then I don’t see why one can’t take out their phone from their pocket and turn it off, especially that, the ringtone may be undesired music, that can distract the entire mosque.
• Enter the mosque with your status in the sight of Allah: Leave your social status at the entrance of the mosque. This is to ensure that we present our humility before The Master, Allah, s.w.t. And anyone who enters the mosque with their status in the sight of their fellow men, they are unlikely to focus in their prayers. If you are popular or respected, and anyone happens to recognize you in the mosque and extent to you their respect, for your status, you may not reject it, but don't forget who you are; in the sight of Allah, as you are in the mosque, His House

وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّـهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّـهِ أَحَدًا

“And the mosques are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allah.” [Surah Al-Jinn, 72:18].

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَـنِ عَبْدًا

“There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful (Allah) as a servant”. [Surah Maryam, 19:93].

• Don't buy and sell in the mosque: One of the common things we see and do today is how man can’t get enough of Dunia. Every opportunity will be seized for sales and trading, let alone direct and indirect promotions. Even in the mosque! No wonder Rasulullah cursed those who trade in the mosque. This is because, it's not only that those who do that don't pray with focus; they also distract others, from doing so. Al-Tirmizhi related a Hadeeth that was narrated by Abu Hurairah r.a., in which Rasūlullah, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam said:

إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مَنْ يَبِيعُ أَوْ يَبْتَاعُ فِي المَسْجِدِ، فَقُولُوا: لاَ أَرْبَحَ اللهُ تِجَارَتَكَ

“If you see anyone selling or buying in the mosque, say to him: May Allah not earn your trade profit.”

In other words, Rasulullah is telling us, “not to buy from anyone doing commercial business in the mosque. However, legal fund raising for genuine charity is not included in the above mentioned.

• Warm-up before the fardh itself: We warm-up with nawāfil, du'a or recitation of Al-Qur'an or zikr: If we look into the five times daily minimum prayers prescribed for a Muslim, we find that, Rasulullah has encouraged his Ummah to observe the optional prayers (nawāfil) before and after the obligatory ones. This is to help us warm-up, so to better focus in the real (obligatory) prayers.In other words, engage yourself with prayers (nawāfil), recitation of Al-Qur’an, memorization of your 3 lines of Al-Qur’an a day, or recite your du’as as well as other ibadah(s) including self-reflection. You may do any of that, or all combined, before the obligatory prayers itself.Jabir r.a. narrated a Hadeeth which was authenticated by Imam Al-Bukhari, that Rasulullah said:

مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ “اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ وَالصَّلاَةِ القَائِمَةِ آتِ مُحَمَّداً الوَسِيلَةَ وَالفَضِيلَةِ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً الَّذِي وَعَدتَّهُ”، حَلَّتْ لَهُ شَفَاعَتِي يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ

“Whoever says when he hears the call to prayers (what means): ‘O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be offered, grant Muhammad the privilege (of intercession) and also the eminence, and resurrect him to the praised position that You have promised him),’ my intercession for him will be permitted on the Day of Resurrection.”

Rasulullah also said in a Hadeeth which was narrated by Anas r.a., and related by Al-Tirmizhi:

إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ لاَ يُرَدُّ بَيْنَ الأَذَانِ وَالإِقَامَةِ فَادْعُوا

“Du’a is not rejected between azhan and iqaamah, so make du’a”.

Hasan Al-Basri said, “Congratulations to you O Son of Adam (Muslim)! If you want to talk to Allah, stand for prayers. And if you want Allah to talk to you, read Al-Qur’an”

• Choose plain prayer mat over colourfully designed: Plain ‘sajjadah' (prayer mat) will definitely less distract you, in your prayer. Similarly, mosques with fewer decorations and with plain prayer mats send more tranquility in the souls of their visitors. Not only that over decorated mosques may look like churches and temples more than they look like mosques, it's also not permissible, in Islam, for us to excessively decorate our places of prayers. Now, it's time for real prayer;
• Perform your last prayer: Assume this prayers to be your last. The possibility is there, no doubt; the fact that no one knows, when death will come to them. So, assume yourself, performing your last prayer, anytime you stand to pray.Imagine this: You are aboard of an airplane, in a location, all you can see is either the sky above you or the ocean beneath you. Suddenly, the captain announces engine failure. The chance for survival is 25%. However, passengers (and you are one of them) have 15 minutes left. So, say your final prayers, or say your last ‘good bye' to your relatives or write your last words. You choose to spend your last 15 minutes (based on the current situation) to perform a final two raka'ah to Allah, s.w.t. And within yourself, you have hope that, this prayers of yours, although it may be the last, it may also be the cause for the survival of the entire airplane. How would perform that prayers?

• Slow down in your speed of reading and movement: Slow reading, including in Ramadhan; slow movement from state to state helps a lot, in focusing and attaining khushū'. Obviously, one should not say his takbeer, go to rukū' or sujūd before the imam, or together with the Imam. Every movement is expected to be after the imam says “… Akbar”.

With regards to this, Imam Al-Ghazali said, “As the submissiveness of the heart has an impact on the other parts of the body parts, the other parts of the body, too, have an impact on the heart”

• Visualize what you read and supplicate: Visualize the written words of the verses you are reading in your prayers. The same thing applies to the words of the ‘azkar' we supplicate in prayers. This is applicable if you don't understand the words you are reading. If you do understand, then why don't we consider internalizing them?
• Set your sight to your point of sujūd: Ensure you focus your sight to the point on which you do your sujūd, as you visualize what you read and supplicate, or as you internalize.
• Close your eyes, if that will help you to focus: Please… only do this, if the immediate tip above didn’t help.
• Don’t wander and turn around unnecessarily in prayers: Obviously, if you are able to apply all the above, it may be a bit difficult for one to keep roaming with their eyes, in prayers, for whatever the reason may be. However, Iblis will try any other possibilities to distract you from your prayers. Your body may be still, your heartbeat may be slow and normal, all that, while your mind is in a serious brainstorming. So beware!
• If you don’t see Allah, Allah sees you: Whether or not we know, Allah is observing us, as we pray, because we are His audience, and we are in communication with Him. If your supervisor or boss was to inspect your prayers (not your job); I wonder; how you would deliver or perform it. What more, if Allah Himself is the Observer Who is observing your job and your prayers together?!

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Some supplications of Rasulullah in his prayers

Below is some of what Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam said and supplicated in his prayers. No doubt, the most focused prayers is that of Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam And, no matter how one's prayers can be focused and concentrated, it bows before that of Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam Therefore, let's reflect on what he said, perhaps we may be able to develop some good habits from his spirit, the fact that a teacher doesn't only transfer their knowledge to their students, but their spirits, too.

In the opening (Istiftāḥ)

Proper opening leads to a focused content and eventually, a satisfying ending, insha Allah. How to start appropriately if we are not prepared? How do we get prepared with our phones switched on? If this is the case, how to be calm and humble before Allah, s.w.t.? If we ponder upon what Rasūlullāh used to say, immediately after saying “Allahu Akbar”, we find concentration in presenting one's self, as an audience before the Lord, Allah, s.w.t.

Before we say ‘Allahu Akbar’, which means, ‘Allah is the Greatest’ to enter into our prayers, let’s remember that we have switched from ‘Dunia mode’ into ‘Akhirah mode’ before setting our feet into the mosque. So when we say ‘Allahu Akbar; Allah is the Greatest’, we should mean by that, that Allah is, indeed, the Greatest, and above anything else in the Dunia, which we have left behind, at the entrance of the mosque. If this is realized, truly, it’s going to be difficult to get distracted, so easily.

Imagine; when we say Allahu Akbar, we raise our hands, with our palms facing the Qiblah, and our ‘dorsal hands’ (back of our hands) facing the opposite direction to the Qiblah. By doing that, we are, once again, throwing the Dunia behind us, after we have left it at the entrance earlier on, to have a special one-to-one session, with the Mejesty Lord, Allah, s.w.t.

One can recite only one of the following. However, if you are praying alone, or the ‘jama’ah’ which you may be leading agrees for you to read longer, then you may combine some or all of them:

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيراً، وَالحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيراً، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلاً.ـ

“Allah is Most Great. Much praise is for Allah. And I declare the perfection of Allah in the early morning and in the late afternoon”.

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ.ـ

“How perfect You are, O Allah, and I praise You. Blessed be Your name, and lofty is Your position and none has the right to be worshiped except You.”

وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفاً مُسْلِماً وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ المُشْرِكِينَ. إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ. لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ المُسْلِمِينَ.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ المَلِكُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَنْتَ رَبِّي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَاعْتَرَفْتُ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي جَمِيعاً، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، وَاهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الأَخْلاَقِ، لاَ يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ. وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا، لاَ يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ. لَبَّيْكَ وَسَعْدَيْكَ، وَالخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ فِي يَدَيْكَ، وَالشَّرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْكَ، أَنَا بِكَ وَإِلَيْكَ، تَبَارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إَلَيْكَ.ـ

“I have turned my face sincerely, towards He, who has brought forth the heavens and the Earth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah. Indeed my prayers (prayer), my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds, no partner has He, with this; I am commanded and I am of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign, none has the right to be worshiped except You. You are my Lord, and I am Your servant. I have wronged my own soul, and have acknowledged my sins, so forgive me all my sins, for no one forgives sins except You. Guide me to the best of characters, for none can guide to it other than You, and deliver me from worst of characters, for none can deliver me from it other than You. Here I am, in answer to Your call, happy to serve You. All good is within Your hands, and evil does not stem from You. I exist by Your will, and will return to You. Blessed and High are You, I seek Your forgiveness and repent unto You.”

So, after you have said some or all of the above, with full focus, you are set to be in the sweetness of prayer, insha Allah!

Al-Fātiḥah

Abu Hurairah narrated a Hadeeth authenticated by Imam Muslim that he heard Rasūlullāh saying:

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: “قَسَمْتُ الصَّلاَةَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي نِصْفَيْنِ، وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ”. فَإِذَا قَالَ العَبْدُ “الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ”، قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: “حَمِدَنِي عَبَدِي”. وَإِذَا قَالَ “الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ”، قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: “أَثْنَى عَلَيَّ عَبْدِي”. وَإِذَا قَالَ “مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ”، قَالَ: “مَجَّدَنِي عَبْدِي” – وَقَالَ مَرَّةً: “فَوَّضَ إليَّ عَبْدِي”. فَإِذَا قَالَ “إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ”، قَالَ: “هَذَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي، وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ”. فَإِذَا قَالَ “اِهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ المُسْتَقِيمَ. صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ المَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ”، قَالَ: هَذَا لِعَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ”.ـ

“Allah said: “I have divided prayers between Myself and My slave into two halves, and My slave shall have what he asks for.” When the slave says: “Al-hamdu lillahi rabbi l-alamin (All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the worlds”, Allah says: ‘My slave has praised Me.’

And when he says: “Ar-Rahmaan ir-Raheem (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), Allah (mighty and sublime be He)” says: ‘My slave has extolled Me.’ When he says: “Maaliki yawm id-deen (The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Resurrection)”, Allah says: ‘My slave has glorified Me’ – and on one occasion He said: ‘My slave has submitted to My power.’

And when he says: “Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help)”, He says: ‘This is between Me and My slave, and My slave shall have what he is asking for.’

And when he says: “Ihdina’s-siraata’l- mustaqeem, siraat alladheena an’amta alayhim ghayril-maghdoobi alayhim wa la’ d-daalleen (Guide us to the Straight Way. The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray)”, He says: ‘This is for My slave, and My slave shall have what he has asked for.’”

If this ‘frequently recited’, yet unique conversation takes place with concentration, when Allah responds to us and says “This is for My slave, and My slave has what he has asked for”, this means that; we are granted hidayah; a guide to the right path; the path of those whom Allah has bestowed His Grace. Moreover, we are protected from been on the path of those who earned His anger or has gone astray. Again, Allah will never say it wrong!

وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ، إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ

“… and establish prayers. Indeed, prayers prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.” [Al-Ankabout, 29:45].

Isn't this, exactly, what you just asked for? It's achievable, then, but with focus!

While Bowing (In the State of Rukū')

While bowing or being in the state of ‘rukū’, Rasūlullāh would stretch his blessed back, leveling his blessed head with his blessed back; and his blessed hands straight to his blessed knees, in the way that, even if water was to be poured on his blessed back, it will stay. In other words, he forms an angle of 90 degrees, while in the state of ‘ruku’. Then he would supplicate with either of the following or all combined according to different situations.

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ العَظِيمِ

“How Perfect my Lord is, The Supreme.”

سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ المَلاَئِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ.ـ

“Perfect and Holy (He is), Lord of the angels and the soul (Rouh, i.e. Jibril).

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلِي.ـ

“How Perfect You are, our Lord, and I praise You. O Allah, forgive me”.

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ رَكَعْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ. خَشَعَ لَكَ سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَمُخِّي وَعَظْمِي وَمَا اسْتَقَلَّتْ بِهِ قَدَمَيَّ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ.ـ

“O Allah, unto You I have bowed, and in You I have believed, and to You I have submitted. My hearing, sight, mind, bones, tendons and what my feet carry are humbled before You.”

When Rising from Rukū’

Most of us, we rise up from our rukū’ to take some rest, but we don’t really take a rest, because we are mostly in hurry and have no focus. For Rasūlullāh, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam he would rise up, back to his normal position; to allow every part of his blessed body to go back to their normal positions. He would then, say the following; with concentration:

سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

“May Allah answer he, who praises Him.”

رَبَّنَا لَكَ الحَمْدُ، حَمْداً كَثِيراً طَيِّباً مُبَارَكاً فِيهِ، مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمِلْءَ الأَرْضِ وَمِلْءَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا، وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ. أَهْلَ الثَّنَاءِ وَالمَجْدِ، أَحَقُّ مَا قَالَ العَبْدُ، وَكُلُّنَا لَكَ عَبْدٌ، لاَ مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَلاَ مُعْطِيَ لمِاَ مَنَعْتَ، وَلاَ يَنْفَع ذَا الجَدِّ مِنْكَ الجَدُّ.ـ

“Our Lord, for You is all praise, an abundant beautiful blessed praise. The heavens and the Earth and all between them abound with Your praises, and all that You will abounds with Your praises. O Possessor of praise and majesty, the truest thing a slave has said (of You) and we are all Your slaves. O Allah, none can prevent what You have willed to bestow and none can bestow what You have willed to prevent, and no wealth or majesty can benefit anyone, as from You is all wealth and majesty.”

While Prostrating (In the state of Sujūd)

It is narrated that Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam said:

أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ العَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ

which means, “The closest a slave can be to his Lord is when he prostrates (in sujūd). [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud].

Therefore, in sujūd, Rasūlullāh would normally sing Allah the best of praises. However, the first of the following supplications is basic and essential. You may recite more according to your situation.

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

 “How Perfect my Lord is, The Most High.”

سُبُوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ، رَبُّ المَلاَئِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ.

“Perfect and Holy (He is), Lord of the angels and the soul (Rouh, i.e. Jibril).”

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي.

“How Perfect You are, our Lord, and I praise You. O Allah, forgive me”.

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ وَصَوَّرَهُ، وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ، تَبَارَكَ اللهُ أَحْسَنُ الخَالِقِينَ.

“O Allah, unto You I have prostrated and in You I have believed, and unto You I have submitted. My face has prostrated before He, Who created it and fashioned it, and brought forth its faculties of hearing and seeing. Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.”

اللَّهُمَّ أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ، وَبِمُعَافَاتِكَ مِنْ عُقُوبَتِكَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ، لاَ أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ، أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ.

“O Allah, I take refuge within Your pleasure from Your displeasure and within Your pardon from Your punishment, and I take refuge in You from You. I cannot enumerate Your praise. You are as You have praised Yourself.”

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، وَسِرَّهُ وَعَلاَنِيَتَهُ.

“O Allah, forgive me all of my sins, the small and the great of them, the first and last of them, and the seen and hidden of them.”

Between the Two Sujūd

When he, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam sits, up from sujūd, and expecting to go down, for another, he doesn't just relax, as most of us would do, the concentration continues and the communication with Allah gets more pleasant. He would say, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي.. رَبِّ اغْفِرْلِي..

“My Lord, forgive me, My Lord, forgive me.”

رَبِّ اغْفِرْلِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاجْبُرْنِي، وَارْفَعْنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي.ـ

“My Lord, forgive me, have mercy upon me, guide me, enrich me, give me health, grant me sustenance and raise my rank.”

In the End

It's time to bid farewell to Allah, until the next appointment for prayers. ‘Good Bye' is not what Rasūlullāh, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam would say; what he would say is either one of the following forms of tashahhud:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيَّهُا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.ـ

“Glorifications (of any kind) is for Allah. All acts of worship and good deeds are for Him. Peace and the Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you, O the Messenger. Peace be upon us and all of Allah's righteous servants. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger”.

التَّحِيَّاتُ الـمُبَارَكَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلَّهِ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا عَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللهِ.ـ

“Glorifications (of any kind), Blessings, all acts of worship and good deeds are for Allah. Peace and the Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you, O the Messenger. Peace be upon us and all of Allah's righteous servants. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, and Muhammad is Messenger of Allah”.

التَّحِيَّاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلَّهِ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.ـ

“Glorifications (of any kind), good deeds and all acts of worship are for Allah. Peace and the Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you, O the Messenger. Peace be upon us and all of Allah's righteous servants. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger”.

In the last tashahhud, after one has recited one of the above, they have to recite the following solawat:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.ـ

“O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty.”

After the above solawat, one may recite only one of the following supplications, or all combined (in the last tashahhud); before salam.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ المَحْيَا وَالمَمَاتِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ المَسِيحِ الدَّجاَّلِ.ـ

“O Allah, I take refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the torment of the Fire, from the trials and tribulations of life and death and from the evil affliction of Al-Maseeh Al-Dajjaal. (the False Messiah)”

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ المُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ المُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ.ـ

“O Allah, forgive me for those sins which have come to pass as well as those which shall come to pass, and those I have committed in secret as well as those I have made public, and where I have exceeded all bounds as well as those things about which You are more knowledgeable. You are The Expediter and The Delayer. None has the right to be worshiped except You.”

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْماً كَثِيراً كَبِيراً، وَلاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْلِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.ـ

“O Allah, I have indeed oppressed my soul excessively and none can forgive sins except You, so forgive me a forgiveness from Yourself and have mercy upon me. Surely, You are The Most-Forgiving, The Most Merciful.”

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العَفْوَ وَالعَافِيَةَ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالعَفَافَ والغِنَى.

“O Allah, I seek from You pardon and safety. O Allah, I seek from You guidance, piety, chastity and wealth”.

Lastly

‘Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah'… to the right and to the left; and your prayers is done. However, Rasūlullāh would stay back after prayers, for another 5 minutes, approximately. It's not easy to leave someone you dearly love like that. So, during those five minutes, he, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam would say and supplicate with the following:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ… أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ… أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ 

“I seek Allah's Forgiveness.”

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ، وَمِنْكَ السَّلاَمُ، تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ.ـ

“O Allah, You are The Source of Peace (Al-Salam) and from You is all peace, blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honour.”

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. اللَّهُمَّ لاَ مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَلاَ مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ، وَلاَ يَنْفَعُ ذَا الجَدِّ مِنْكَ الجَدُّ.ـ

“None has the right to be worshiped except Allah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise, and He is over all things omnipotent. O Allah, none can prevent what You have willed to bestow and none can bestow what You have willed to prevent, and no wealth or majesty can benefit anyone, as from You is all wealth and majesty.”

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللهِ. لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَلاَ نَعْبُدُ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ، لَهُ النِّعْمَةُ وَلَهُ الفَضْلُ وَلَهُ الثَّنَاءُ الحَسَنُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الكَافِرُونَ.ـ

“None has the right to be worshiped except Allah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise, and He is over all things omnipotent. There is no might, nor power except with Allah. None has the right to be worshiped except Allah and we worship none except Him. For Him is all favour, grace and glorious praise. None has the right to be worshiped except Allah and we are sincere in faith and devotion to Him, although the disbelievers detest it.”

سُبْحَانَ الله (33 Times)

الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (33 Times)

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ (33 Times)

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.ـ

They mean:

“I seek Allah's Forgiveness.”

“All praise is for Allah.”

“Allah is the Greatest.”

“None has the right to be worshiped except Allah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent.”

And after this, one may recite the following:

• Ayatul Kursi
• Surah Al-Ikhlas
• Surah Al-Falaq
• Surah Al-Naas

Click here to read “Simple Du'a for Protection,” which also consists Ayatul Kursi and the 3 Quls.

Rasūlullāh once said to Mu’azh Ibn Jabal, r.a. in a Hadeeth narrated by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa-ee:

“وَاللَّهِ يَا مُعَاذُ، إِنِّي لأُحِبُّكَ، فَلا تَنْسَ أَنْ تَقُولَ دُبُرَ كُلِّ صَلاةٍ: اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ”

“By Allah, I love you, O Mu’azh! So do not forget to say after every prayers: O Allah, help me to remember You, be grateful to You and worship You in a better way.”

It’s therefore understood that any kind of du’a is ‘mustajab’ after prayers. So make it a point to present a humble request before Allah, before you switch back from ‘Akhirah mode’ into ‘Dunia mode’. The minimum is:

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

“O Allah, help me to remember You, be grateful to You and worship You in a better way.”

Click here to download a PDF file format of all the supplications which Rasūlullāh said in his prayers, that are mentioned in this article.

Click here for a PDF file sample of the du’as of Rasūlullāh, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi was sallam, which you may use to supplicate after your prayers and in other special sessions, with Allah, s.w.t.

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What if I can’t Focus?

The possibility of inability to focus after carefully applying all the above is very low and thin. This being said, it is important that we remember; focus in prayers, as in well as in any beneficial cause, requires practice, hard work and (self) discipline, in order to achieve it. I can sense how (as you read some of the lines above) difficult you think it is, to switch off one’s phone, just because we are entering the mosque. I don’t think you would read Qur’an in the stadium, where you go to watch a football match. Why then, would you engage yourself with worldly life in the place you are seeking forgiveness and in the presence of Allah, s.w.t. Do you find communicating with Allah boring?

The most important is to be able to do it (focus in our prayers) fo a minimum of two weeks, and it will become a good habit in ‘ibadah, insha Allah.

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Conclusion

I know (from myself) that, most of the time, when we stand for prayers, we actually stand for brainstorming instead of prayers. Iblis (Satan) reminds us of all the brilliant ideas and the perfect solutions to our problems, but the moment we say “Assalamu alaikum”, everything (all the genius solutions and ideas) disappears. Don’t let this happen to you again, after today!

Remember: Proper opening leads to the focused content and eventually satisfying ending, insha Allah. How to start appropriately if we are not properly prepared? How would we be prepared if our phones engage us even in the peak of prayers?

If we are able to overcome the above, and attain the desired tranquility in prayers, and come out of our prayers with our hearts filled with satisfaction, we can notice the excitement in our hearts, through to the next prayers, round the clock insha Allah.

If we maintain this successfully, we will, therefore, be able to develop a good habit in prayers, insha Allah.

Prayer (ṣalāh) is an ibadah beyond the physical exercise which we carry out on daily basis. Khushū' is the soul of that ‘ibadah. And because it’s beyond physical exercise, it’s called prayer and never called exercise!

Allah knows best.

Allahu Hafiz 🙂

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