Salah (daily prayer) is the greatest practical pillar of Islam and khushoo (concentration) in salah is required by Islam. Khushoo means calmness, concentration, humility, and being present-minded while performing prayers. Salah is indeed one of the best ways to achieve Allah`s decisive guidance. Fear of Allah (SWT) is the most important cause of khushoo as one always thinks that Allah is always watching over him. Allah says:
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
“Call upon your Lord with humility and in private. Verily, He does not love transgressors.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:55)
Making the heart submissive and humble before Allah (SWT) is one of the most important causes of khushoo because if a heart is corrupted by the insinuating whispers of Satan the acts of the body faculties will also be corrupt. Part of khushoo is to be submissive and humbling oneself out of the fear of God. Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
“And (the) slaves (of) the Most Gracious (are) those who walk on the earth (in) humbleness and when addressing them the ignorant ones, they say, “Peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
Every Muslim knows that Salah (congregational prayer) is obligatory to perform five times a day. Despite knowing its great importance being the most important task to do after one`s faith in Allah SWT and His Messenger (PBUH), most of us do not carry out this auspicious duty with the required level of submissiveness and loyalty to the Almighty. Allah says:
وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ يَبْكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ خُشُوعًا
“And they fall on their faces weeping, and it increases them (in) humility.” (Surah Isra` 17:109)
Who himself calls His servants to seek for His Assistance through requests and persistence on their faith. Making the heart submissive and humble before Allah (SWT) is one of the most important causes of khushoo because if a heart is corrupted by the insinuating whispers of Satan the acts of the body faculties will also be corrupt.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And lower to them (the) wing (of) humility (out) of [the] mercy and say, “My Lord! Have mercy on both of them as they brought me up (when I was) small.” (Al-Isra` 17:24)
- “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive to Allah.” (Quran 2:45)
- “Dwell in this town and eat therein as ye wish, but say the word of humility and enter the gate in a posture of Humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase (the portion of) those who do good.” (Surah Al-Araf, 161)
- “And remember your Lord in yourself humbly and (in) fear and without the loudness of [the] words, in the mornings and (in) the evenings. And (do) not be among the heedless.” (Al-A`raf 7:205)
- “Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers.” (Quran 23:1-2)
- Call upon your Lord humbly and privately. Indeed, He (does) not love the transgressors.” (Al-A`raf 7:55)
Here are a few points which, inshallah, will help us improve the quality of your salah in terms of improving the prayer itself:
- Humility is to become humble
- Humility appreciates others
- Humility detection, skill level
- Humility is a value opener
- Humility is ego-less-ness
- Humility respects others
- Humility is a great asset
- Having Clear Conscious
- Humility listens more
- Humility speaks less
- Know your opposition
- Continuously make duaa
- Focus on your technique
- Eliminating all Distractions
- Understand what you’re reciting
- Increase the significance of salah
- Seeking Allah`s Refuge from Shaitaan
- Developing a Habit of Praying on Time
- Reciting Allah`s Greatness after prayers
- Knowing the meaning of what is being said
Immediately after finishing obligatory Namaz, it is the time for asking and gaining from the countless bounties of Allah SWT, and His Clemency, so one should use this instance in the best way by adorning the Lord through His Dhikr (Remembrance). Allah says:
إِن نَّشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ آيَةً فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَاقُهُمْ لَهَا خَاضِعِينَ
“If We will, We can send down to them from the sky a Sign so would bend their necks to it (in) humility.” (Surah Ash-Shu`ara` 26:4)
Duaa should be made thanking Allah for all His bounties and giving us the blessings to be able to perform salah and pray to him despite our many faults. Salah is a very special kind of prayer in front of Allah SWT, which requires a great degree of seriousness from a Muslim. Khushoo (dedication) in Namaz is down to one`s own intention and giving a due right to every single task involved in this holy job. Allah says:
وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
“And remember your Lord in yourself humbly and (in) fear and without the loudness of [the] words, in the mornings and (in) the evenings. And (do) not be among the heedless.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:205)
A duaa that should, therefore, be read constantly after salah is, ‘Allahumma innee ala zikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibaadatik’ (O’ Allah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an excellent manner). May Allah Almighty give us all the aspiration to develop the right kind of attitude in carrying out Salah in a best-prescribed way! Aameen!
