Khushoo’ in Salaah

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 Importance of Khushoo’
• Allaah says: “Successful indeed are the believers, those
who offer their salaah (prayers) with Khushoo’.” [Qur’an
23:1-2]
• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “The first thing to be lifted up (taken away)
from this ummah will be khushoo’, until you will see no
one who has khushoo’.”
• Narrated Hudhayfah (rad):
“The first thing of your religion that you will lose is
khushoo’, and the last thing that you will lose of your
religion is salaah. There may be a person praying who
has no goodness in him, and soon you will enter the
mosque and not find anyone who has khushoo’.” (al-
Madaarij, 1/521)
 What is Khushoo’
• Khushoo’ means all of the following:
– calmness, serenity, tranquility, dignity,
humility and submission
• Source of Khushoo:
– Fear of Allaah and the awareness that He is
always watching.
 Fruits of Khushoo’
• Allaah (swt) mentions the al-khaashi’eena wa’l-
khaashi’aat (men and women who possess Khushoo’) as
being among those who are chosen and who will receive
forgiveness and a great reward [Quran 33:35]
• Khushoo’ makes prayer easier
– Allaah (swt) says: “And seek help in patience and al-salaah, and
truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for al-khaashi’oon
[Qur’an 2:45]. The meaning is that the burden of prayer is heavy
indeed, except for those who have khushoo’. (Tafseer Ibn
Katheer, 1/125)
• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: ‘… and my joy has been made in salaah.’ Only
through Khushoo’ can a person find comfort and joy in
salaah.
 Improving Khushoo’ – Prior to
Salaah
• Plan your daily activities around the salawaat
• Satisfy your physical needs prior to salaah
• Make a thorough wudu
• Dress in a manner befitting the One you are going to worship
• Arrive before the Fard salaah to perform at least 2 rak’ah, to ensure your mind is fully focused
on ‘Ibaadah
• Pray your salawaat behind a sutrah
• Do not talk much with people before the salaah – contemplate the greatness of the Rabb you
are going to worship
• Remember the salaf and the manner in which they performed their salaah
• Consider the fact that this could very well be your last salaah – how would you like your last
salaah to be performed ?
 Improving Khushoo’ – During
Salaah
• Realize the meaning of the phrase ‘Allaahu Akbar’ – Allaah is indeed
greater than all other matters that occupy our mind and thoughts
• Strive to attain the status of Ihsaan in worship – to pray as if you see
Allaah, and if you cannot then know that He is seeing you.
• Fold your hands (right hand over the left) and look at the position of
sujood – this posture of humility reminds us of our lowly status in front of
our Creator
• Be tranquil during salaah and complete each position with perfection
• SLOW DOWN your recitation of both the Qur’an and the various
adhkaar during salaah
• Remember that Allaah answers you as you recite Surah Fatihah
 Improving Khushoo’ – During
Salaah (…contd.)
• Memorize and read various surah’s from the Qur’an (there is more
to the Qur’an than Surah Ikhlaas and Surah al-Kawthar )
• Learn multiple adhkaar from the Sunnah, for each position in the
salaah – alternating between them will help prevent a mechanical
recitation
• Never look up or around during salaah
• Avoid praying on excessively decorated prayer rugs
• Make du’aa during the sujood – remember however, that all du’aas
must be in Arabic during the Fard salawaat
 Improving Khushoo’ – After
Salaah
• Do not move from your position immediately after salaah – the
angels pray for you until you move away or lose your wudu
• Recite your tasbeeh and other adhkaar
• Make du’aa for all your needs (and always pray for your parents)
• Pray the sunan and nafl salawaat (at the very least, pray the sunan
mu’akkadah)
• Evaluate your salaah
• Look forward to the next salaah