Importance of Khushu in our prayer

Muslims offer Salah five times a day. Salah is the 2nd most important pillar of Islam which is obligatory on every Muslim. We should offer Salah with “Khushu” in order to gain the actual reward and more blessings from Almighty Allah. Khushu is an Arabic word used to refer to humbleness, submissiveness, and gentleness within heart due to the consciousness of Allah’s Greatness and Dignity while offering Salah.

Salah is the key to success in this world and in the hereafter. But if we do not look after this key we’ll not be able to unlock the doors that lead to the good in this life and the hereafter. In order to achieve success, we have to be humble in our prayers. No doubt, when our Salah is in good condition, we’ll notice that all the other life affairs also naturally fall into their right places with ease. Times of ease become more joyful and times of difficulties become bearable.

Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran: “It is the believers who are successful: those who are humble in their prayer.” (Quran, 23:1-2)

Khushu appears to be more important than the outward aspects of Salah because the value of the Prayer is directly related to the depth of intensity the servant of Allah can achieve during its performance. If anyone wants to be among those who are successful, then they have to try to achieve the noble aspect of Khushu in their prayers.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Quran: “Most certainly those Believers have attained true success: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive.” (Quran, 23:1)

It is important to realize that the state of Khushu is a state of true presence in the Salah. Khushu helps one connect deeply with Allah Almighty. Today we will discuss some tips to achieve Khushu in our prayers for getting the pleasure of Allah Almighty.

Why Khushu is importance in our salah(prayers), what improves it, why we should constantly strive to guard our salah, and some productive tips to excel in our khushu.
‘Khushu’ is an Arabic word used to refer to humility or humbleness while offering our daily salah (prayers). The meaning and actualization of khushu lies in the ‘presence of our hearts’ while we are reporting for our daily duty towards Allah .

Salah is the key to our success in this world and the next. But if we do not look after this key or lose it, we’ll not be able to unlock the doors that lead to the good in this life and the next – it’s as simple as that. Poor quality of salah is like not reaping full benefits of a powerful life management tool given to us by the Creator of Life Himself! Undoubtedly, when our salah is in good condition, we’ll notice that all the other life affairs also naturally fall into their right places with ease, InshaAllah. Times of ease become more joyful and times of difficulties become easy, or at the very least become bearable.

“It is the believers who are successful: those who are humble in their prayer”

[Quran verse 23,1-2].

“Khushoo’ in prayer happens when a person empties his heart for it (prayer), and focuses on it to the exlusion of all else, and prefers it to everything else. Only then does he find comfort and joy in it, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘… and my joy has been made in salaah.’” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/456. The hadeeth is in Musnad Ahmad, 3/128 and Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3124).

Allah has mentioned al-khaashi’eena wa’l-khaashi’aat (men and women who are humble (before their Lord)), and described this quality as one of the qualities of those who are chosen. He tells us that He has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Paradise). [See al-Ahzaab 33:35].

One of the benefits of khushoo’ is that it makes prayer easier for a person. Allah tells us (interpretation of the meaning): “And seek help in patience and al-salaah (the prayer),

Striving to gain that which gives and strengthens khushoo’

This can be achieved in several ways, such as the following:

Preparing oneself for prayer properly

For example:

・By repeating the words of the adhaan after the muezzin;

・By pronouncing the du’aa’ to be recited after the adhaan: “Allaahummah Rabba haadhihi’l-da’wati’l-taammah wa’-salaati’l-qaa’imah, aati Muhammadan il-waseelata wa’l-fadeelah, wab’ath-hu’l-maqaam al-mahmood alladhi wa’adtah (O Allaah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be offered, grant Muhammad the privilege (of interceding) and also the eminence, and resurrect him to the praised position that You have promised)”;

・Reciting du’aa’ between the adhaan and the iqaamah;

・Doing wudoo’ properly, saying Bismillaah before it and making dhikr and saying the du’aa’ after it, “Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu (I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger)” and “Allaahummaj’alni min al-tawwaabeena waj’alni min al-mutatahhireen (O Allaah, make me of those who repent and make me of those who purify themselves)”;

・Using siwaak to cleanse and perfume the mouth that is going to recite Qur’aan in a short while, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Purify your mouths for the Qur’aan.” (Reported by al-Bazzaar, who said: we do not have it with any better isnaad than this. Kashf al-Astaar, 1/242. Al-Haythami said: its men are thiqaat. 2/99. Al-Albaani said: its isnaad is jayyid. Al-Saheehah, 1213);

・Thinking about the aayaat and adhkaar being recited during the prayer and interacting with them

・Wearing one’s best and cleanest clothes, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying…” [al-A’raaf 7:31]. Allaah is most deserving of seeing us “take our adornment” for Him. Clean, pleasant smelling clothes are also more comfortable and relaxing, unlike clothes for sleeping or working in.

We should also prepare ourselves by covering our ‘awrah properly, purifying the spot where we are going to pray, getting ready early and waiting for the prayer, and making the rows straight and solid, without any gaps, because the shayaateen come in through the gaps in the rows.

・Remembering death whilst praying

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Remember death in your prayer, for the man who remembers death during his prayer is bound to pray properly, and pray the prayer of a man who does not think that he will pray any other prayer.” (al-Silsilat al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 1421. It was reported from al-Suyooti that al-Haafiz ibn Hajar classed this hadeeth as hasan).