بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Prayer is sacred; it is between you and Allah but too often (less often for some) we can get distracted during prayer we need to better understand the importance of having concentration in our prayers and take salah seriously.
“Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their salah with all solemnity and full submissiveness” Quran 23:1-2. Translation from Mohsin Khan
We need to aim to do better especially in our prayers, a pillar of Islam, an obligatory worship, the first matter a slave would be brought to account for in the day of judgement, it takes away sins so do not take it lightly. There is much reward in it and in praying correctly.
‘In the hadith narrated of the authority of Abd Huraira the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is reported to have said. while in the hadith narrated by Bakr (the words are like this): He heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: just see, can anything of his filthiness remain (on the body of) any one of you if there were a river at his door in which he washed himself five times daily? They, said: Nothing of his filthiness will remain (on his body). He said: That is like the five prayers by which Allah obliterates sins.’ Sahih Muslim Book 5, hadith 358
This list below contains the post in summary. If you scroll down the points are more fleshed out, giving depth and invaluable information.
1. Learn the translation and meaning of the surahs you know. This will strengthen your focus whilst praying.
2. When you get distracted, immediately pause, gather your thoughts, refocus and recite Ta’wudh and then continue
3. Before you begin to pray make an order of what surah you will recite in each respective rakat, so that if you forget which rakat you are on whilst praying then you at least have reference for the previous rakat you were on.
4. Learn new surahs and duas. This will revitalise your salah
5. Working or concentrating on your tajweed while praying can help you concentrate greater on the surah you’re praying at the time.
6. Learn the sunnah of prayer in terms of prostration and etiquette as this will give you reward and a more mindful salah
7. Pray on time; this will give an importance to your salah like prayer to Allah deserves to be.
8. Practice tranquility and sabr in prayer. Don’t rush.
9. Remind yourself of Allah and the importance of each individual prayer during the moment you lose focus, use this as a method to refocus yourself.
10. Limit distractions in the prayer area if it is at home or work. Put emphasis in going to mosque especially if it helps you to concentrate as praying in congregation contains more reward
11. Pray in congregation even if it is just you and your wife.
12. Clean yourself properly, wear clean clothes, use a clean nice smelling prayer mat (by dropping a few drops of atar on the mat but not enough to distract you completely).
So those are the main points if you were looking for a simple list, but you have come to this to better your salat MashAllah so read on to get better explanation to the above points.
Learn the translations of prayer
Learning even the translation of Surah Al- Fatiha to begin with could help greatly when praying. It would add extra depth to your prayer and each ayat would feel every bit as powerful as it should be. Here is the translation of Surah Al- Fatiha:
1. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
2. All praise due to Allah, the lord of the worlds
3. The beneficent, the merciful
4. Master of the day of judgement
5. Thee do we serve and thee do we beseech for help
6. Keep us on the right path
7. The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is brought down, nor of those who go astray.
(English translation by Shakir)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
The reason why I give the translation of Surah Al Fatiha is because of the importance of this surah. In one hadith it was narrated by Abu Huraira that “Allah’s apostle said “The Um (substance) of the Quran is the seven repeated verses (Al – Mathaini) and is the great Quran (i.e. Surah Al Fatiha).”” Volume 6, book 60, number 227, Sahih Bukhari. And I strongly recommend reading up or watching a YouTube video on the Tafseer of this great Surah.
Here is another important Surah in the Quran; Surah Al Ikhlas; a translation and a hadith regarding this surah as follows:
1. Say: He, Allah, is One
2. Allah is he whom all depend
3. He begets not, nor is he begotten
4. And none is like Him
(English translation by Shakir)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur’an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surah Al-Ikhlas 112.1--to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an." Volume 6, Book 61, Number 534 Sahih Bukhari or Book 66 Hadith 37.
Pause, gather your thoughts and recite Ta'wudh when distracted
'A'oothu billaahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem.
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast (then spit dryly [without saliva coming out] to your left). (Do this three times reciting in Arabic). This is significant and ad vised by the prophet PBUH as you can read in this sahih hadith:
‘Uthman b. Abu al-'As reported that he came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said:
Allah's Messenger, the Satan intervenes between me and my prayer and my reciting of the Qur'an and he confounds me. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:, That is (the doing of a) Satan (devil) who is known as Khinzab, and when you perceive its effect, seek refuge with Allah from it and spit three times to your left. I did that and Allah dispelled that from me’ Sahih Muslim Book 39, Hadith 92.
Planning which Surahs you pray in a specific rakat
I' am forgetful and do lose concentration during my prayer. So I will plan which surah I will prayer on a certain rakat. For example before praying zuhr I'll tell myself to pray Surah Al- Kafiroon on the first rakat, Surah Ikhlas on the second, Surah Al falaq on the third and Surah An Nas on the fourth; if I were to use those four surahs (instead of other surahs or three long verses or more) during my Asr prayer I may change the order. So for example Surah Ikhlas on the first rakat, Surah Al falaq on the second, Surah Kafiroon on the third etc.
There have been times I’ll be on my second or third rakat and just suddenly forget which one I am on, but then I’d remember my previous rakat surah as I try to concentrate on the clarity and tajweed of each surah I recite and this aids in my remembrance of the surah I recited prior to the current rakat.
If genuinely do forget which surah you are on then you will have to perform sajda sawh at the end of the prayer and remember it is better to do an extra rakat rather than not to if you cannot remember.
This point certainly helps if you know four or more surahs but you can do it if you know two surahs, and if you don't I hope this encourages you to learn more and that leads me to my next point.
**NOTE: Reciting a surah after surah Al-Fatiha in the third or fourth rakat of a Fardh prayer is makhrooh according to scholars. However with Sunnah prayers you will need to recite a surah after Surah Al - Fatiha
Learn new Surahs and duas
Learning a new surah (and its meaning) can help you concentrate. It certainly did for me, as I learnt a new surah I'd feel like my salah is galvanizing; it feels new and fresh and I recite it with fervour. Because of that feeling, especially in ramadan I recommend learning a new surah, and reciting it in your prayers throughout ramadan and switch between memorised, and newly self-taught surahs/long verses until you have a habit and a clear recital.
Following on from that to keep your salat feeling fresh why not learn a new dua. Here is a short one you could learn:
Here is one recited after Salat:
اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّيْ عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
Allahumma a’inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibadatika
O Allah! Assist me in remembering You, in thanking You, and in worshipping You in the best of manners.
Or
Narrated Warrad: (the clerk of Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba) Once Al-Mughira dictated to me in a letter addressed to Mu'awiya that the Prophet used to say after every compulsory prayer, "La ilaha ilallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa-lahul-hamdu, wahuwa ala kulli shai in qadir. Allahumma la mani 'a lima a'taita, wa la mu'tiya lima mana'ta, wa la yanfa'u dhal-jaddi minka-l-jadd. (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and He has no partner in Lordship or in worship or in the Names and the Qualities, and for Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are for Him and He is omnipotent. O Allah! Nobody can hold back what you give and nobody can give what You hold back. Hard (efforts by anyone for anything cannot benefit one against Your Will)." And Al-Hasan said, "Al-jadd' means prosperity." Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 12, Number 805:
And here’s another dua which I hope will make you think of Allah in the mornings as you wake up and when you go to bed:
Narrated Juhaifa: When the Prophet got Up in the mornings he used to say, "Alhamdu lillahi al-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilaihi-n-nushur."
Translation: All praise to Allah who gave us life after he had gave us death and to him is the return
When the Prophet went to bed, he used to say, "Allhumma bismika ahya wa amut."
Translation: Oh Allah in your name I live and die
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 491
Concentrating on tajweed
“Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it - it is they who are the losers.” Quran 2:121 translation by Sahih international.
There is a true emphasis amongst the learned and learning that tajweed is important; it is hard but rewarding. But it doesn’t matter that you struggle as long as you try, and if you keep trying and keep struggling it is much better for you as it says in this hadith:
‘Narrated Aisha (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Such a person as recites the Qur'an and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur'an by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward."’ Sahih Bukhari Vol 6, book 60, hadith 459.
“or add to it, and recite the Quran as it is ought to be recited” Quran 73:4 Translation by Shakir. It has also been translated to mean the Quran should be recited in ‘a slow (pleasant tone) and style’
It is also very important to learn tajweed so we avoid mistakes in our recitation as we do not want to change the meaning, or words of the Quran so it is better we perfect or aim to perfect our recitation in the best manner to avoid such a thing.
Learn the sunnah actions during prayer and implement them
I do highly recommend the book ‘Description of the Prophet’s prayer’ by Imam Muhammed Nasir Al-Din Al-Albani. This is an extensive topic but here is a misconception regarding prayer.
Men and women prayer the same although it is recommended in fiqhs that women should pray more “closed” and men should pray more “openly” in regards to when in sujood but that does not mean women should put their elbows to the floor as Narrated by Anas: The Prophet PBUH said, "Do the prostration properly and do not put your forearms flat with elbows touching the ground like a dog. And if you want to spit, do not spit in front, nor to the right for the person in prayer is speaking in private to his Lord." Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 509
Pray on time
It is known and said that if you purposely delay or avoid your prayer you are considered, in a way, to be openly sinning. Missing prayers is a sin so pray them in their allotted times. When I say pray on time I don’t mean that it is not okay to pray for example Duhr late (although all prayers except for Isha are recommended to be prayed sooner rather than later); I am talking about praying every prayer in it’s allotted time.
Narrated 'Abdullah: I asked the Prophet "Which deed is the dearest to Allah?" He replied, "To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.". Sahih Bukhari. Volume 1, Book 10, Number 505.
In regards to Isha, it is better to be prayed in the last third of the night as that part is considered the most important.
'A'isha reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) one night delayed (observing the 'Isya' prayer) till a great part of the night was over and the people in the mosque had gone to sleep. He (the Holy Prophet) then came out and observed prayer and said: This is the proper time for it; were it not that I would impose a burden on my people (I would normally pray at this time). In the hadith transmitters by 'Abd al-Razzaq (the words are):" Were it not that it would impose burden on my people.". Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 1333.
Gain tranquillity in prayer through not rushing
Do not rush your prayer, if you notice you are reciting your prayer too fast then simply stop, take a deep breath, and then continue reciting in a slower manner as per the quranic verse in the introduction of this article it is better to pray slower.
Remind yourself who you are praying to during Salat
You are before Allah in your prayer. Remind yourself of your lord before your mind sways elsewhere; do not let the shaytaan steal from your prayer (see the next point in the first paragraph for a hadith pertaining to this point).
Concentration on your prayer is crucial so that you don’t make mistakes and if you truly fear Allah then remind yourself of Allah so that you may discipline yourself each and every time you get distracted.
Limit distractions/Pray in the mosque
Go to a quiet place, leave the house if you have to, focus your eyes on one spot when praying and the recitation in your head. Narrated 'Aisha: I asked the Prophet about one's looking here and there during the prayer. He replied, "It is what Satan steals from the prayer of any one of you." Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 511
According to another hadith: “Allah is turning towards His slave so long as he does not look around, so when you pray, do not look around.” Narrated by Ahmad (17800); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘ (1724).
Remember death when praying; think less of the dunya in fact Allah has said “O you who believe! Let not your wealth or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that, these are the losers” Quran 63:9
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Call upon Allah with certainty that he will answer you. Know that Allah will not answer the supplication of a heart that is negligent and distracted.”
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3479. Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Albani
And for men in regards to praying in congregation in the mosque here is a hadith that iterates that there is more reward in praying in congregation than alone; so I hope this is a motivating factor for you if you were thinking to start going to the mosque to pray (and for women it is regarded better to pray at home see the hadith at the bottom of this point)
‘Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The prayer offered in congregation is twenty five times more superior (in reward) to the prayer offered alone in one's house or in a business center, because if one performs ablution and does it perfectly, and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of praying, then for each step which he takes towards the mosque, Allah upgrades him a degree in reward and (forgives) crosses out one sin till he enters the mosque. When he enters the mosque he is considered in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer and the angels keep on asking for Allah's forgiveness for him and they keep on saying: 'O Allah! Be Merciful to him, O Allah! Forgive him, as long as he keeps on sitting at his praying place and does not pass wind.’ Sahih Bukhari Vol 1 Book 8 Hadith 466.
“A man's prayer said along with another is purer than his prayer said alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one, but if there are more it is more pleasing to Allah, the Almighty, the Majestic.” Sunan Abu Dawud Book 2 Hadith 554 graded Hasan (fair) by Al-Abani
Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) reported the prophet (ﷺ) as saying; ‘it is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her courtyard, and more excellent for her to pray in her private chamber than in her house.’ Sunan Abu Dawud Book 2 Hadith 569 graded Sahih (authentic) by Al-Abani
Pray together at home
Pray with your family at home, lead prayer in your household. If it just you and your wife then your wife must stand behind you and not beside you in prayer.
Clean yourself properly and wear clean clothes for prayer
For example wear a specific nice thobe you’d use just for prayer (this may give the salah importance if your mind associates whats on your body to prayer), and also clean your prayer mat and give it a nice fragrance.
When you buy new shoes you won't jump into mud straight away, just as when you completely clean yourself and wear nice and fresh smelling clothes just for salat you wouldn’t want to dirty your salat by losing focus or rushing would you?
And that is the end to this article; if you have any more suggestions for your fellow brothers and sisters please leave a comment so that we all may benefit eachother.
May Allah put more Barakat in your prayers and focus in your salat. Ameen.
Jazak’Allah for taking your time to read this. May Allah reward us for our efforts in seeking and spreading knowledge; and may Allah forgive me if I have written anything misleading or wrong. Ameen
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