How to gain Khushu in Salat

By Dr. Mamdouh N. Mohamed Associate Professor at the American Open University

What is Khushuu’?

Khushuu‟ during Salaat is misunderstood by some people as crying and weeping. Rather, it is the presence of the heart during an act of „ibadah. When a person‟s heart is fully occupied of what he says or hears, he is in a true state of khushuu‟. The concept of Khushuu‟ in Salaat is very essential.

1- It is a vital factor in making a person successful in this life and in later life. “Indeed, the believers, who have khushuu‟ in their Salaat, are the winners.”

2-It is a contributing factor for the acceptance of Salaat.

3- It is a way to gain more rewards from the Almighty Allah; the more the khushuu‟ a person has, the more rewards he gets.

4- Without Khushuu‟ the heart cannot easily be purified.

Ways to Gain Khushuu

A. Pre-Salaat

1- A Muslim should know his Lord very well. Knowing whom one worships makes a person a better worshipper. Having clear and authentic knowledge about Allah increases His love in our hearts. Consequently, faith also increases.

2- Avoiding major and minor sins is very helpful in gaining Khushuu‟, as the heart becomes more receptive to the words of Allah during and after Salaat.

3- Reciting the Qur‟an frequently and consistently softens the hearts and prepares it for Khushuu‟. Hard hearts do not gain Khushuu‟.

4- Minimize attachment to worldly matters. Gearing one‟s intentions towards the Afterlife helps against the temptations of life.

5- Avoid excessive laughter and useless arguments as they harden the heart and lead to heedlessness.

6- Stop working as soon as you hear the Azaan. When you listen attentively to the call of Salaat repeat after the muˆz-zin then offer the relevant supplication. This prepares you for a smooth transition from the business with worldly matters to the business with Salaat.

7- Performing wuduuˆ immediately after hearing the Azaan prepares you for the pending Salsat. Wuduuˆ also works as a buffer zone before engaging in Salaat.

8- Going to the mosque early for praying and continuing mention of Allah drives Satan away and help gain concentration.

9- The waiting time for the congregational Salaat helps create a buffer zone between the state of mind before Salaat and the state of during Salaat.

B. During Salaat

1- The Iqaamah itself is a final signal to the mind to be well prepared for

performing the actual Salaat. Remember what the messenger of Allah said to Bilal (ra) “Let us enjoy the comfort of the Salaat.”

2- When you stand facing the Qiblah remember the following:

a. It might be the last Salaat in your life. There is no guarantee to live longer to catch the next Salaat.

b. You are standing between the hands of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. How can you be busy with something else?

c. The angel of death is chasing you.

3- Do not forget to make isti‟azah. It wards off Satan‟s whispers.

4- Keep your eyes focused on the place of sujuud. This helps you gain more concentration.

5- When reciting the Fatiha, try to recall the response of Allah to you after every ayah you say. (When you say: ”al-hamdu lillahi rab-bil „alamin) Allah responds: “My servant praised me.” etc. This feeling of speaking to Allah puts you in the right mood of khushuu‟.

6- Beautifying the recitation of the Qur‟an has a positive impact on the heart.

7- Recite the Qur‟an slowly and reflect upon its meaning deeply.

8- It is recommended to change the suras that your recite from time to

time to avoid the mechanic-like state of repetition.

9- Alternate between the various authentic sunan such as proclaiming a different opening supplication in every Salaat.

10- Undoubtedly, understanding Arabic helps you focus on the intended meaning.

11- Interact with the recited aayahs;

a. if you hear an ayah about Allah, glorify Him by saying “Subhaana Allah”;

b. If you hear an ayah about Hellfire, say “a‟uuthu billaahi mina-n-naar”.

c. If you hear a command to make istighfaar, do it.

d. If you hear an ayah that requests tasbiih, make tasbiih.

12- These forms of interactions are very helpful in keeping you focused.

13- When you prostrate, remember that this position brings you closer to Allah. Seize the opportunity to make sincere du‟aaˆ. Invest these moments in making sincere supplications.

C- Post-Salaat

e. When you make tasliim, make istighfaar to Allah as you might have made during Salaat.

f. When you praise Allah, thank Him from the bottom of your heart that you have experienced the beauty of Salaat in your heart. Getting used to this habit prepares your for the next Salaat, as you will always be eager to focus in your prayer.

g. One perfection leads to another perfection. If some one perfects his Salaat once, he would be self-motivated to continue on the same level.

May Allah fill our hearts with khushuu‟ – Aameen.

Ibrahim was very happy to see sheik Nabeel open the door to his room. We can only see his happiness from his expression as he is unable to speak

Notice the breathing instrument around Ibrahim’s neck.. he is unable to even breath normally.

Thus sheik Nabeel and Ibrahim started talking about da’wa on the internet and the striving it requires.
They also exchanged some stories

Keep hitting the snooze button when your alarm goes off for Fajr?

Try this… An alarm clock that runs away and hides

Supplication of Rukoa/Bowing

The Prophet (SAW) used to say in the Rukoa,
“Glory to my lord the supreme.” -authentic in Al-Nissaee

Supplication After Rising From Rukoa/Bowing

The Prophet (SAW) used to say after rising from Rukoa,
“Allah has listened (heard/answered) to the one who praised him. Our lord, all praises due to you.” -authentic Al-Tirmithi

Supplication of Sujood/Prostration

The Prophet (SAW) used to say in the Sujood,
“Glory to my lord the most high.” -authentic in Al-Nissaee

Supplication of Rukoa and Sujood (Extended)

The Prophet (SAW) used to say in his Rukoa & Sujood,
“Glory to the one who has all power, kingdom, magnificence and supremity.” -authentic Abi Dawud

Supplication of Rukoa and Sujood (Extended)

The Prophet (SAW) used to say in his Rukoa & Sujood,
“The perfect, the pure, lord of the angeles and the spirit.” -authentic Abi Dawud

Supplication After Rising From Rukoa/Bowing (Extended)

The Prophet (SAW) used to say after rising from Rukoa,
“All praise due to our lord, as much as the filling of the heavens, the filling of the earth, and the filling of whatever else you wished.” -authentic Abi Dawud

Keywords: audio, Namaz, supplication dua, mp3, wav, video, teaching, authentic dua, prayer of the prophet Muhammad (peace and prayer be upon him), livinghalal, salah, taraweeh, qiyam, ramzan, ramadhan, ramdan, thikr, zikr, rememberance of Allah, salat, صلاة أذكار الصلاة دعاء دعوات مصلى مسجد 禮拜 Salat

This story of LivingHalal in Action is clipped from Washington Post. May Allah reward this Muslim Taxi driver, and may Allah make his action a reason for people to know the true Islam.

I already was in a bad humor as I watched the taxi meter click away on my trip home from Dulles one recent Sunday afternoon. My bag had gone astray on the way home from South Carolina.

I read the notice about the increase in fares to $2.80 for the first quarter-mile and wondered if the decrease in gas prices would reverse the fare hike.

My driver apologized after receiving a call on his cellphone. I asked him what language he spoke, and he replied “Urdu, or a branch of Urdu called Punjabi.”

He explained that Punjab is located between Pakistan and India and was divided in half. He was from the half that went with Pakistan at the time of the great division. Later, he got another phone call — “the wife,” he said. And we both acknowledged that he had to take that call. When we turned on to the Clara Barton Parkway, I asked him if he knew who Clara Barton was. He didn’t, so I told him what I knew about her. He had a couple of questions about her that I couldn’t answer, and that ended our conversation.

After we pulled up to my house and I paid him, he popped the trunk. I asked why he opened the trunk because I didn’t have any bags. He replied by asking if he could use a corner of my drive to say his prayers.

I was surprised, but even an agnostic, which I am, would not deny a person a place to pray. He spread his rug, faced east and began to pray. I observed him from the house. First he stood and then he kneeled, and I was surprised at how touched I was.

It seemed like such a formal but human thing to do, and right on my driveway. I was very proud that he trusted me to ask and that I trusted him and gave my permission. My experience that evening seemed so starkly different from what I hear on the news each day.

– Lee Gough, Bethesda

Praying at work can be difficult for some. The lack of space, small cubicle, no cubicle but alhamdulilah, Muslims that pray at work have found a way to find-space albeit sometimes in strange places i.e parking lot, stairwell, and other places.

Seems like more and more companies are wiling to accommodate employees that need a space to pray.

Indeed,

And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). (At-Talaq 65:2)

Read on

Need a reminder for Salah time, try this

As a Muslim, Allah has made the whole earth places for prayer (as the Prophet peace be upon him said in an authentic hadith), so you don’t have to delay your Salah until you find a masjid.

For those who travel through HK airport, here is an extra convenience for you to pray.

Click on the pictures to see them BIG.

Tags: Salah, prayer, Muslim, islam, masjid, prayer hall, Hong Kong airport, travel, mosque, pray on time, livinghalal. صلاة الصلاة مصلى مسجد 禮拜 Salat