Easy Tips You Need to Know To Gain Khushoo (Concentration) In Prayer

It is very unfortunate that many of us view our obligatory prayers as some sort of a burden that must be immediately lifted off our shoulders rather than treating it as a source of comfort, nearness to Allah, pleasure and an answer to all our problems. We rush through our prayers and many times lack a channel of communication with Allah because we are too eager to finish the prayer and too indulged in thinking about all the problems and commitments in our lives. We are depriving ourselves from enjoying the most important aspect of Salah (Prayers) - Connecting with Allah.

Have we forgotten Allah’s words: “Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their salah (prayers) with khushoo (all solemnity and full submissiveness).” [23:1-2]

Many of us don’t fully comprehend the gravity of this issue and we forget that the first thing we will be asked about on Judgment Day is our prayers. Our reward relies on how much we were able to concentrate in our prayers as the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) said: “Verily, a man may return from his prayer and nothing good is written for him but a tenth of his prayer, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a fourth, or a third, or a half.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 796)

These powerful words from our Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) reminds us of the true essence of our prayers when he said:  "O Bilal, Comfort us with it (i.e. Salah)." ” أرحنا بها يابلال .”

So why are we short in  grasping the real meaning of Salah? Why don’t we rush to Salah to give us the spiritual comfort, relaxation, the positive energy that we are all trying so hard to obtain. Why don’t we attend the prayers for the love of it, to take us away from the distress of life, to speak with our Creator to gain the tranquility in our soul and submissiveness in our body. How can we attend the prayer not only physically, but with our hearts, souls & minds ?

The below are some ways in which you will be able, in sha Allah, to obtain khushoo in prayer and see prayer from a different light that will change your life.


• PRIOR TO PRAYER

Help strengthen your Khushoo by performing the following prior to prayer:
-   Repeat after the Mu’azzan (the one who calls to prayer) with concentration & recite the required supplication after the Adhan (Call to prayer).
-   Perform Wudu (ritual ablution) properly, starting with Bismillah, and wash all the required body parts properly while knowing you are being forgiven as you are washing your face, hands, feet… until the last drop as mentioned by the Prophet    in a authentic hadith. Then recite the recommended supplication after Wudu.
-   Wear clean clothing that covers the awrah (body parts at are to be covered during prayer for men & women).
-   Pray in a clean area and away from distractions and have a sutra (an object used as barrier between you and those passing in front of you).


• DURING PRAYER
-   Before you start praying have a mindset of Ihsaan ("beautification", "perfection" or "excellence")- that you will pray to Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, He can see you.‟ in addition, remember death. Tell yourself this might be your last prayer, your farewell prayer, this will encourage you to pray your best.

-   Start the prayer with raising your hands and saying “Allahu Akbar”. Just imagine throwing the dunya (worldly life) behind your back as you raise your hands.
-   Every time you say “Allahu Akbar” throughout the prayer, remember that Allah is Greater than your problems, Allah is Greater than your worries, Allah is Greater than your desires, Allah is Greater than those who are unjust to you, Greater than everything in life.
-   Before you begin reciting Surah Al-Fatiha (Opening Chapter of the Quran), seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan by saying "A'udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim." أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم. Anytime you feel you are zooming out and losing concentration throughout the prayer, seek refuge with Allah from Satan & spit (dry spitting) to your left three times as advised by the Prophet    in a authentic hadith

-   When you start with Surat Al-Fatiha, remember that Allah has divided the prayer between Himself & His servant as narrated by Muslim in hadith sahih. So after saying the basmala [The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful] { بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ} you continue and say:
   1. “Al-hamdu lillahi rabbi l-alamin” :{ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ } “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds”, In a split second you recall all the blessings Allah has bestowed on you. Blessing of sight, hearing, health, family, the blessings that you are unaware of, blessing of being a Muslim…etc. and  
       you praise Him for it. Then realize that Allah will answer you back with: “حَمِدَنِي عَبْدِي” (My servant has praised Me)
    2. When you say: Ar-Rahmani Ar-rahim :{ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ } “The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”. Realize that Allah is more Merciful to you than your own mother. He knows what is good for you and therefore, you submit to His decree with pleasure because what ever He plans for
        you, it is for your benefit, for He is onto you Merciful. He is to you Merciful as He Forgives your sins, conceals your faults and gives you the chance to repent.  Allah then answers back with: “أَثْنَى عَلَيَّ عَبْدِي” (My servant has extolled Me).
    3. When you say: Maliki Yawmi Ad-Din :{ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ } “Master of the Day of Judgement”. You acknowledge Allah’s Majesty. He is the Owner/King of everything in this life and the next. To Him you will return and be recompensed for every good and bad you’ve done, and by His Mercy you pray that He grants you Paradise.  Allah will then answer back with: : مَجَّدَنِي عَبْدِي (My servant has glorified Me)
    4. When you say: Iyyaka Na Budu Wa Iyyaka Nasta een :{ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ } “It is You alone we worship and it is You alone we ask for
         help”. Realize the blessing of submitting to your Creator. It is He Who you seek His help and protection. You turn to him in times of difficulties because you know He will  help you get through the struggles of life. Allah will then answer back: هَذَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ   (This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.)
    5. When you then ask Allah to: Ihdina as-Sirata al-  Mustaqim, Siratal Ladhina An Amta Alayhim Ghayril- Maghdubi Alayhim Wa La aD-Dallin  
‏{‏ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ‏}‏: “Guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those whom You have favored, not the path of those who receive Your anger, nor of those who go astray”. You Know Allah is the only one that you put your trust in to guide you to the      straight path and without His guidance you are lost. You always seek His light to guide you to what pleases Him and guide you through the paths of life. Guide you to faith,  righteousness, justice... Realize Allah will answer back with: هَذَا لِعَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ". (This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for)

-   Pray at a moderate pace. As you recite Al-Fatiha give a short pause between each verse, contemplating on Allah’s words as He answers you back. Don’t rush when saying Al-Fatiha, remember you are talking to Allah and He is answering you back. Imagine meeting a good friend and
   talking so fast that you don’t even give him/her time to respond,  it would seem a bit rude and disrespectful, and Allah is the best of examples.

Surah Al -Fatiha is repeated in each prayer for a reason. Imagine if you have the above mindset in every prayer, then you will truly realize the Magnificence of Allah & His many blessings upon you.

-   Next as you follow Surah Al- Fatiha with a surah of your choice, make sure you concentrate on each verse. Live and interact with the verses. It’s very important to perfect & beautify your recitation as advised by the Prophet   as a way to add beauty to the Quran and therefore increase khushoo (concentration). Make sure you read the tafseer (exegesis) before reciting the Surah (Chapter) so you understand what you are reciting. Keep your eyes on the place of sujood (prostration) and for every prayer, try reciting with a different surah and du’as (supplications) so it doesn’t become a routine practice.

-   When going down to performing the ruku (bowing position) and saying Subhaana rabbiyal azeem { سبحان ربي العظيم } ‘Glory be to Allah, my Lord, the Greatest.’, realize that you are humbling and submitting yourself to the Most Great. The Only One Who is worthy of being bowed down to. What a blessing that you were chosen to be amongst His guided servants. You are the servant of Allah only, you are not slave to people, money, society nor desires.

-   Raising back up you proclaim Sami‘ Allâhu liman hamidah rabbana lakal hamd. { سمع الله لمن حمده } Allah hears whoever praises Him, our Lord and praise belongs to You’. You praise Him for all He has done for you. The blessing of being able to get back up from ruku, the blessings of all the du’as and cries He hears from you and answers them, every time Allah gave you hope and guided you aright. He responds to the one who praises Him and rewards them for it.

-   Going down to sujood (prostration). You become the closest to Allah, saying ‘Subhaana rabbiyal a’alaa’ { سبحان ربي الاعلى }  (Glory be to Allah My Lord, the Most High) You have placed your face (most respected/valuable part of your body) with humility on the ground in prostration to His Supremacy and glorifying His Majesty. Your heart finds rest as you ask Him for the good of this life and next. You ask Him for all you want and need knowing that He is the One Who will respond.


*** Give the ruku and sujood enough time, and don’t rush for the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) said: "The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer.” The people asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how can a person steal from his prayer?" "By not doing ruku and sajda properly….” (Al-Muʻjam al-Awsaṭ 3503)


Final Advice:

Don’t get frustrated if you can’t accomplish Khushoo the first time around. Achieving Khushoo requires practice, patience, sincerity and lots of du’a. Ask Allah that He helps you and grants you the blessings of Khushoo. Most Importantly, if you want khushoo or any type of spiritual gain, make sure you keep away from sins as much as possible since this can be a hindrance to proper concentration in your prayers.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best


May Allah make us from the successful in this life and the next.


Allahumma Ameen