Our social:

Category: Prayer

Concentration In Prayers

Prayer helps people to avoid profanity and sins and to uproot evil from their souls. Prayers must be performed with complete khushu (concentration) and recited with sincerity to Almighty Allah. However, if someone does not have khushu during their prayers, their prayers would not be invalidated although their reward would be reduced. Hence, Muslims should try to avoid any distractions as much as they can during their prayers and should focus their concentration.

Almighty Allah ordains Muslims to perform prayer and urges them to do this with complete concentration and true sincerity. In the Qur an, Allah Most High says:
Guard Strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e. the best prayer – Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salat (prayers)]. (Al-Baqarah 2:238).

The midmost prayer is usually described by scholars as the most praiseworthy of being performed with khushu .

Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness. (Al-Mu minun 23:1-2).

Prayer helps people to avoid profanity and sins and to uproot evil from their souls. Prayers must be performed with complete khushu (concentration) and recited with sincerity to Almighty Allah.

Common Errors In Prayer That Must Be Avoided

Listed below are the 6 Common mistakes usually we make in prayers

Mistake 1: Reciting Surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each verse.
The Prophet (SAW) used to pause after each verse of this surah. (Abu Dawood)

Mistake 2: Sticking the arms to the sides of the body, in rukoo’ or sujood, and sticking the belly to the thighs in sujood.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘Let not one of you support himself on his forearms (in sujood) like the dog. Let him rest on his palms and keep his elbows away from his body.’ (Sahih Muslim). The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to keep his arms away from his body during rukoo’ and sujood that the whiteness of his armpits could be seen (Sahih Muslim).

Mistake 3: Gazing upward during prayer.
This may cause loss of concentration. We are commanded to lower our gaze, and look at the point at which the head rests during sujood. The Prophet (SAW) warned: ‘Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them. i.e. lose their eyesight].’ (Muslim)

Mistake 4 : Resting only the tip of the head on the floor during sujood.
The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘I am commanded to prostrate on seven bones the forehead and the nose, the two hands [palms], the two knees, and the two feet.’ (Sahih Muslim) Applying the above command necessitates resting the forehead and the nose on the ground during sujood.

How To Taste The Beauty Of Salah

“Successful indeed Are The Believers, Those Who Humble Themselves in Their Prayers…… These Will Be The Heirs, Who Will inherit Al Firdous : They Will Dwell Therein (for ever).” (23:1-11)

Do You Sometimes Feel That Your Salah (prayer) is Not Quite Having The Effect it is Supposed To Have On You And Your Life?

Have You Ever Considered That Perhaps it is Because We Are Not Giving it its Due Justice?

It Seems We Have Lost (or were never taught) That Ability To *connect* in Salah That Makes All The Difference in its Effect On Us.

Consider The Following Examples Of Those Who Came Before Us :

The Muslims Once Head Out With The Prophet (peace be upon him) On Way To Battle. During The Trip The Prophet Ordered Two Companions, One Of The Ansaar And One Of The Muhaajireen, To Stand Guard Over Them. As They Did The Muhaajer Decided To Rest While The Ansaari Chose To Stand in Prayer. Along Came A Nonbeliever And Cast An Arrow Striking The Ansari in The Chest.

The Ansari Pulled Out The Arrow And Continued in Prayer. The Non-Believer Struck Him With A Second Arrow. Again the Ansari removed it and continued His Prayer. A Third Arrow Was Cast But Now The Ansari Could No Longer Stand And Finally Fell Bleeding into His Rukuu And Sujood. The Aggressor Fled As The Muhaajer Rushed To His Brother’s Aid, “ Subhanallah !

Why Didn’t You Alert Me From The First Arrow ”

The Ansari Replied, “ I Was in The Middle Of A (beautiful) Sura And Didn’t Wish To interrupt My Recitation Of it.”

Imam Bukhari Was Once Stung By A Wasp 17 Times While Standing in Prayer. When He Finished, He Felt Some Discomfort And Asked if Anyone Was Aware Of What Caused it.

Ibn-Azzubair Stood Firm And Unflinching in His Prayer While Catapults Fired Upon The Ground He Stood On.

It was said that when Ali washed in preparation for prayer, He Always Went Pale And Trembled With Anxiety As He Thought Of Himself About To Stand Before His Lord.

Another companion needed an amputation. He requested that it be performed while he was engaged in Salah.

An entire wall collapsed in the mosque that one companion was praying in, but he was too engrossed to realize what happened till his prayer was completed.

How did they attain that level of pleasure and inner peace that Salah is meant to inspire? Is it possible for us to reach that level too? How can we make our Salah effective on our being like it should? This is what we hope to learn.

Why We Need To Pray

After a long and hectic day at work, how difficult it is for a tired person to go out to the mosque and concentrate on his prayers to Allah, the Almighty. Snuggled up in a warm and cozy bed, how difficult it is to get up at the call of the Mu`ezzin: “Come to prayer! Come to success!”

The famous doctor and philosopher, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), recalls such a moment in his life. One cold and icy night, he and his servant were resting at an inn in a remote part of Khurasan. During the night, he felt thirsty, so he called to his servant to bring him some water. The slave had no desire to leave his warm bed, so he pretended not to hear Ibn Sina’s call. But finally, after repeated calls, he reluctantly got up and went to fetch the water.

A little while later, the melodious sound of the adhan (call to prayer) filled the air. Ibn Sina began to think about the person calling the people to prayer. “My slave, Abdullah,” he mused, “has always respected me and admired me. He seizes any opportunity to lavish praise and affection on me, but tonight he preferred his own comfort to my needs.

“On the other hand, look at this Persian, slave of Allah: He left his warm bed to go out into the chilly night, he made ablution in the icy water of the stream, and then he ascended the high minaret of the mosque to glorify Him Whom he truly serves: ‘I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’.”

Ibn Sina records: “I learned the essence of true love, that love which results in complete obedience.” The love of Allah demands total and unconditional obedience. Allah, the Almighty says:

Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon, to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 3:31)

Fajr Prayer

The fajr (dawn) prayer is amongst the most important acts of worship, being one of the five obligatory prayers. Unfortunately many of us have become so used to missing it at its prescribed time, which ends at sunrise – that we have forgotten its position in our religion, and barely feel anything is wrong when we wake up in the morning for work or school without having performed the fajr prayer. On the other hand, if one of us was to miss a job interview or a flight, we all know how disappointed he or she would feel. Therefore I thought I’d prepare this article as a reminder to myself first, then to all my brothers and sisters.

Muslims should know the great status of fajr in the sight of Allah. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning) “Establish regular prayers at the sun’s decline till the darkness of the night, and the recital of the Qur’an in the fajr prayer, for the recital of the fajr is witnessed” (Al-Israa 17:78) In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever prays the fajr prayer in congregation, it is as if he (or she) had prayed the whole night long.” [Muslim & Tirmidhi].

Now, to show the seriousness of missing this prayer, we present the Hadeeth of the Prophet (PBUH) “The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are ishaa and fajr, but if they only knew what they contain, they would come even if they had to crawl.” [Ahmad]

The practical aspect of dealing with the problem includes a number of steps which we can take in order to get used to praying fajr regularly in congregation:

Having a sincere intention and being determined, when going to sleep, that you will get up for fajr

Remembering Allah as soon as you wake up. Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said, “During your sleep, Satan knots three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he breathes the following words at each knot, ‘The night is long, so keep on sleeping.’ If that person wakes up and remembers Allah, then one knot is undone. When he (or she) performs ablution (wudu) the second knot is undone. And when he (she) prays, all the knots are undone, and he (she) gets up in the morning lively and in a good mood, otherwise he (she) gets up dull and gloomy.” [Bukhary]

Sleeping early. According to an authentic Hadeeth, the Prophet (PBUH) used to dislike sleeping before ishaa and talking after it. The kind of talk that is discouraged in this case, as the commentators explain, is that in which there is no clear benefit. However, if it is for good reason, such as studying, speaking to a guest, or spending time with one’s family, then there is nothing wrong with it. This has no connection with the reasons for which many people stay up late nowadays, to do wrong and commit sins.

Family members should encourage one another, and likewise roommates sharing the same apartment.

If you know a friend who normally wakes up on time, ask him or her to give you a call at prayer time. I have been using this technique on and off for quite some time now, and have found it to be extremely effective.
If you find that you switch off the alarm clock then go back to sleep, you might want to place it a few feet from your bed. This way you will actually have to get up and walk to the clock in order to turn it off.
Try using an alarm clock with the snooze feature.

Avoid eating too much before going to bed. Overeating makes you fall into a deep, heavy sleep.
Finally, true devotion to Allah is the best thing to motivate a person to get up for prayer, because Allah alone controls all means of help. I ask Allah Almighty to facilitate this prayer for us, and to guide us to what pleases Him.

Contributed by : Hany Omar

“Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and make us victorious over the disbelieving people.” – Surah Al-Baqarah (2) Ayah 250

Warding Off Distractions In Prayer

Allah has specified the qualities of successful believers who will inherit the Highest Paradise, Jannah Al-Firdous, in the Qur’an. One of them is Khushoo’.

“Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness (Khushoo’).” (Qur’an, 23:1,2)

The term ‘Salah’, is derived from the root word ‘Silh’ which means connection i.e. the connection between us and Allah.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “When anyone of you stands for prayer, he is conversing with his Rabb, so let him pay attention to how he speaks to Him.” (Al-Hakim, Al Mustadrak, 1/236; Sahih Al-Jami’ no.1538)

Consider three types of houses:

• A king’s house: filled with treasures, but with guards on all four corners.

• A haunted house, which is very dark.

• A common man’s house: filled with his savings and treasure.

Now, if a thief comes to steal from one of the three houses which one will he choose? Obviously, the house of the common man because it has something of value and is not guarded.

This is the example of our hearts. The first is similar to the hearts of prophets i.e. well-guarded, the second is the heart of those who don’t believe in Allah as He deserves, and the third is similar to the heart of common believer like you and me. This is why Shaitan attacks our hearts and that’s why we sometimes find ourselves praying with Khushoo’ and sometimes not.

Solution
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has asked us to seek refuge in Allah from Satan.

Abul Aas once asked, “O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the Shaitan interrupts me when I pray, and I get confused in my recitation.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “That is Shaitan (whose name) is Khanzab. If you sense his presence, seek refuge with Allah from him (i.e. say A’oodhu billaahi min-ash-Shaitaan-ir-rajeem), and spit (dry spitting) towards your left three times.” Abul Aas said: “I did that and Allah took him away from me.” (Sahih Muslim, no. 2203)

Apart from this, try to prepare for Salah in advance. Have Wudhu before the Adhan. Answer the Adhan and say the Du’a the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to say after hearing the Adhan. Go to the mosque in advance. Avoid unnecessary talk before prayer, instead try to be busy with Tasbeeh and Istighfar. When you’re praying at home, recite different Surahs and not just the smallest ones you keep repeating all the time.

And most importantly think about the greatness of Who you are going to stand in front of in prayer.

The Spirit Of Prayer In Islam

Ibadah (act of worship) is an Arabic word derived from `abd (a slave) and it means submission. It portrays that God is your Master and you are His slave and whatever a slave does in obedience to and for the pleasure of his Master is `ibadah. The Islamic concept of `ibadah is very wide.

If you free your speech from filth, falsehood, malice, and abuse and speak the truth and talk goodly things and do all these only because God has so ordained to do, they constitute `ibadah, however secular they may look in semblance. If you obey the law of God in letter and spirit in your commercial and economic affairs and abide by it in your dealings with your parents, relatives, friends, and all those who come in contact with you, verily all these activities of yours are `ibadah. If you help the poor and the destitute, give food to the hungry, and serve the ailing and the afflicted persons, and do all this not for any personal gain of yours but only to seek the pleasure of God, they are nothing short of `ibadah.

Salah (Prayer) is the most primary and the most important of these obligations. And what is salah? It is the prescribed daily Prayers which consist in repeating and refreshing five times a day the belief in which you repose your faith. You get up early in the morning, cleanse yourself and present yourself before your Lord for Prayer. The various poses that you assume during your Prayers are the very embodiment of the spirit of submission; the various recitals remind you of your commitments to your God. You seek His guidance and ask Him again and again to enable you to avoid His wrath and follow His chosen path. You read out from the Book of the Lord and express witness to the truth of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and also refresh your belief in the Day of Judgment and enliven in your memory the fact that you have to appear before your Lord and give an account of your entire life. This is how your day starts.

Then, after a few hours the muezzin calls you to Prayer, and you again submit to your God and renew your covenant with Him. You dissociate yourself from your worldly engagements for a few moments and seek audience with God. This once again brings to the fore of your mind your real role in life. After this rededication you revert to your occupations and again present yourself to the Lord after a few hours. This again acts as a reminder to you, and you once more refocus your attention on the stipulations of your faith. When the sun sets and the darkness of the night begins to shroud you, you again submit yourself to God in Prayer so that you may not forget your duties and obligations in the midst of the approaching shadows of the night. And then after a few hours you again appear before your Lord, and this is your last Prayer of the day. Thus before going to bed you once again renew your faith and prostrate before your God. And this is how you complete your day. The frequency and timings of the Prayers never let the object and mission of life be lost sight of in the maze of worldly activities.

How To Concentrate In Your Prayers

1. Repeat what the mu’adhin (person who calls prayers) says.

2. Make dua between adhan and Iqamah.

3. Make fresh wudu for Salah.

4. Use msiwak before Salah.

5. Dress in fine clothes for Salah.

6. Move through Salah with tranquility.

7. Pray as if you will die after this Salah.

8. Think about the verses and dhikr you are reciting in Salah.

9. Repeat verses for added contemplation.

10. Memorize and use new passages of Quran.

11. Pause at the end of each ayah.

12. Recite in a beautiful voice.

13. Maintain eyesight on your prostration location.

14. Recite dhikr after prayer, patiently.

15. Don’t look around in prayer.

16. Suppress your yawning during prayer.

17. Don’t stick to the same prayer place in the Masjid.

18. Arrive early for Salah.

Salah Mentioned In Quran

1) Establishing Salah Develops Taqwa (Fear and Awareness of Allah)
“This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who have Taqwa; who believe in the unseen, and who establish Salah, and spend out of what we have provided for them”
(Surah Baqarah 2: 2-3)

2) Salah Is the Sign of a Believer
“The believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; they enjoin good and forbid evil, and they establish Salah, and give Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them, and surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”
(Surah Tawba 9: 71)

3) Establishing Salah Leads to Allah’s Eternal Blessings
“So whatever you have been given is but (a passing) enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. And those who avoid the great sins and lewdness, and when they are angry, they forgive. And those who answer the Call of their Lord, and perform the Salah, and who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:36-38)

4) Those Who Pray Shall Have Nothing to Fear on the Day of Judgment

“Truly, those who believe and do righteous deeds, and perform Salah, and give Zakah, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
(Surah Baqarah 2:277)

5) Remain in Allah’s remembrance after prayer
“When have finished performing the Salah, remember Allah standing, sitting, and reclining, but when you are free from danger, perform the Salah. Surely, Salah is enjoined on the believers at fixed times.”
(Surah Nisaa 4:103)

6) Command to Pray with Congregation
“And establish Salah and give Zakah, and bow down (in worship) along with those who bow down (in worship)”
(Surah Baqarah 2:43)

7. Special Command Regarding Punctuality of Prayer
“Guard strictly the Salah, especially the middle Salah. And stand before Allah with obedience.”
(Surah Baqarah 2:238)

Subtle Secrets In Our Prayers

Not many of us realize the subtle and hidden secrets that lie behind our movements in Salah (prayer). Some of us may even rush through it without giving much thought to the hidden intricacies and the hidden beauty. How many people stand in Salah but their mind does not stand focused? How many people bow down but their inner soul refuses to bow? How many people prostrate but their heart fails to do so? And how many people pray but a prayer has not been written for them? Ibn Al-Qayyim gives a beautiful description of prayer in his book Asrar Al-Salat. An excerpt of which follows:

It has been prescribed for the servant to extol and praise his Lord as he is rising up from Rukoo’ (i.e. bowing in prayer). So he exalts and praises his Lord because Allah has guided him to attain this humbleness which others have been prevented from attaining. He is returned to a state of uprightness, standing up to be in his Lord’s service. He stands in front of Him just as he stood in front of Him during recitation (when reciting Al-Fatihah), and for that reason it is prescribed that he praises and exalts Him just like he praised and exalted Him during the recitation.

There is a special meaning to this rising: It is a state that reaches and penetrates the heart. It is for this reason that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to prolong this standing (after the Rukoo’) just as he prolonged the Rukoo’ and Sajdah (prostration). He would praise and exalt Allah much therein.

In the night prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to repeatedly say during this standing after the Rukoo’, “For my Lord is all Praise, for my Lord is all Praise.” (Abu Dawood and Nasa’i)

Repetition
It has been prescribed for the servant to repeat these actions and words (i.e. repeat recitation of Al-Fatihah, Tasbeeh in Rukoo’, Sajdah etc), as it is a source of nourishment for the heart and soul. There is no strength in them (the heart and soul) except by this. Repeating it is just like repeatedly eating food – mouthful after mouthful until a person eats his fill, and drinking again and again until his thirst is quenched. If a hungry person only took one mouthful of food and then pushed his food away, what will that mouthful do for him? In fact, it may even cause him to become hungrier!

For this reason, one of the Salaf said: “A person who prays but does not find tranquility in his prayer is like a person who is hungry, then food is brought to him but he only takes one or two handfuls. What will it then do for him?”