Everyday whenever I pray, I have the feeling that I have to pray my best as I am standing infront of the most greatest, my greatest benefactor, and the highest. but still I only manage to concentrate till the qirat and sometimes the rukoo, but after that my minds starts doing a world tour... it is really disturbing since prayers like these will be enclosed in a dirty cloth and thrown on your face =/
Happens to us all brother. I start praying and then remember a list of household chores I've neglected or some stupid joke heard the other day....
My mom told me that thinking about the meaning of the words I'm reciting helps keeps the concentration. For example, when you are reciting Surah Fathiha, you mouth the words in Arabic and in your heart think of the meaning.
If you still can't concetrate then spit lightly to your left three times and say a'oodhu billahi minash-shaithaanir rajeem.
Last edited by manaal; 08-22-2010 at 03:02 AM.
“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. " (16:125)
Rasulullah said, “Anyone who conceals (the defects of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal them (their defects) in this world and in the Hereafter.”
I will tell you a very good way I came to know from Sheikh Abdullah Al Muslih and Inshallah it will help you greatly.
Before you say Allahu Akbar and start your prayer, imagine the Kaabah right infront of you, Paradise to your right, Hell on your left and the Angel of Death right behind you waiting to take your soul after you are done with the prayer. Then say Allahu Akbar and start.
Of course all this is done fast and it will make you feel that its your last prayer and maybe it is.
Also always pray like you are seeing Allah, and if you don't see him then truly He sees you.
What sister manaal said is also useful, if you can do all this together then you will have the prayer you seek.
Just don't think of life when praying, life on earth is not important, being with Allah is.
May Allah make our prayers filled with khushuu, ameen
Disturbed by waswaas (whispers from the Shaytaan) and evil thoughts
Praise be to Allaah.
Evil whispers during prayer and at other times come from the Shaytaan, who is keen to misguide the Muslim and deprive him of good and keep it far away from him. One of the Sahaabah complained to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about waswaas during prayer, and he said: “The Shaytaan comes between me and my prayers and my recitation, confusing me therein.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “That is a devil called Khanzab. If he affects you seek refuge in Allah from him and spit drily to your left three times.” He [the Sahaabi] said, I did that and Allaah took him away from me.
(Narrated by Muslim, 2203)
Proper focus (khushoo’) is the essence of prayer. Prayer without proper focus is like a body without a soul. The following are two of the things that help one to develop the proper focus:
1 – Striving to think about what you are saying and doing, pondering the meanings of the Qur’aan, dhikr and du’aa’s that you are reciting; bearing in mind that you are conversing with Allaah as if you can see Him. For when the worshipper stands to pray, he is speaking to his Lord, and ihsaan means worshipping Allaah as if you are seeing Him, and knowing that even though you cannot see Him, He sees you. Every time a person experiences the sweetness of prayer, he will be more inclined to do it. [?]. This depends of the strength of one's faith – and there are many means of strengthening one’s faith. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Of the things of your world, women and perfume have been made dear to me, and my joy is in prayer.” According to another hadeeth he said, “Let us relax, O Bilal, with prayer,” and he did not say, Give us a break from it.
2 – Striving to ward off the things that may distract you during prayer, namely thinking about things that are irrelevant or distracting. Waswaas affects each person differently, because waswaas has to do with a person’s level of doubts and desires and the degree to which a person is attached to other things or is fearing other things.
(From Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, 22/605)
With regard to what you say about the waswaas reaching such a great level that you have begun to experience waswaas that makes you think about Allaah in ways that are not appropriate, these are evil whispers from the Shaytaan. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And if an evil whisper from Shaytaan (Satan) tries to turn you away (O Muhammad) (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allaah. Verily, He is the All‑Hearer, the All‑Knower”
[Fussilat 41:36]
Some of the Sahaabah complained about the waswaas that was bothering [?] them. Some of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said to him, ‘We find in ourselves thoughts that are too terrible to speak of.’ He said, ‘Are you really having such thoughts?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘That is a clear sign of faith.’” (Narrated by Muslim). (Narrated by Muslim, 132 from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah).
Al-Nawawi said in his commentary on this hadeeth: “The Prophet’s words, ‘That is a clear sign of faith’ means, the fact that think of this waswaas as something terrible is a clear sign of faith, for if you dare not utter it and you are so afraid of it and of speaking of it, let alone believing it, this is the sign of one who has achieved perfect faith and who is free of doubt.”
And it was said that what it means is that the Shaytaan only whispers to those whom he despairs of tempting, because he is unable to tempt them. As for the kaafir, he can approach him in any manner he wants and is not restricted to waswaas, rather he can play with him however he wants. Based on this, what the hadeeth means is that the cause of waswaas is pure faith, or that waswaas is a sign of pure faith. See also question no. 12315
The fact that you hate that and your heart recoils from it is a clear sign of faith. Waswaas happens to everyone who turns to Allaah by reciting dhikr etc. It is inevitable, but you have to be steadfast and patient, and persevere with your dhikr and prayer, and not give up, because in this way you will ward off the plot of the Shaytaan. “Ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaytaan” [al-Nisa’ 4:76 – interpretation of the meaning]. Every time a person wants to turn to Allaah, waswaas brings other matters to mind. The Shaytaan is like a bandit: every time a person wants to move towards Allaah, he wants to block the way. Hence when it was said to one of the salaf that the Jews and Christians say, “We do not experience waswaas,” he said, “They are speaking the truth, for what would the Shaytaan do with a house in ruins?”
(From Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, 22/608).
The remedy:
1 – If you feel that you are being affected by this waswaas, say, “Aamantu Billaahi wa Rasoolihi (I believe in Allaah and His Messenger).” It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Shaytaan comes to one of you and says, ‘Who created you?’ And he says ‘Allaah.’ Then the Shaytaan says, ‘Who created Allaah?’ If that happens to any one of you, let him say, Aamantu Billaahi wa Rusulihi (I believe in Allaah and His Messenger). Then that will go away from him.”
(Narrated by Ahmad, 25671; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in al-Saheehah, 116).
2 – Try to stop thinking about that as much as possible, and keep busy with things that will distract you from it.
Finally we advise you to keep on turning to Allaah in all situations, and to ask Him for help, and to beseech Him, and to ask Him to make you steadfast until death, and to cause you to die doing righteous deeds… And Allaah knows best.
By the way I can understand arabic a little and hence i can fully concentrate during quirat, Alhamdulillah, but i lose concentration once I get into rukoo.
salam allaikum
i have some what the same problem. The only difference is that my thoughts are of Allah(swt) or other things related 2 islam. m not able 2 concentrate on what m reciting and end up doing mistakesin my salah. actually m new 2 islam, converted from a 'namesake muslim' 2 'trying 2 b a true muslim'
so u may understand the cyclone whirling in my mind right now which initiates the loss of concentration
salam allaikum
i have some what the same problem. The only difference is that my thoughts are of Allah(swt) or other things related 2 islam. m not able 2 concentrate on what m reciting and end up doing mistakesin my salah. actually m new 2 islam, converted from a 'namesake muslim' 2 'trying 2 b a true muslim'
so u may understand the cyclone whirling in my mind right now which initiates the loss of concentration
Wa Alekum Asalam
Congratulations sister for finding the true path of Islam, may all muslims find it too Inshallah. As for your problem...may I ask what thoughts do you get, is it like suspecting thoughts?
Jazaki Allah khiir
I will tell you a very good way I came to know from Sheikh Abdullah Al Muslih and Inshallah it will help you greatly.
Before you say Allahu Akbar and start your prayer, imagine the Kaabah right infront of you, Paradise to your right, Hell on your left and the Angel of Death right behind you waiting to take your soul after you are done with the prayer. Then say Allahu Akbar and start.
Of course all this is done fast and it will make you feel that its your last prayer and maybe it is.
Also always pray like you are seeing Allah, and if you don't see him then truly He sees you.
What sister manaal said is also useful, if you can do all this together then you will have the prayer you seek.
Just don't think of life when praying, life on earth is not important, being with Allah is.
May Allah make our prayers filled with khushuu, ameen
This is really good mashallah, is this from a particular book on khushu in salah? if so I wanna get it.
“Who said that guidance requires there to be someone accompanying you"
This is really good mashallah, is this from a particular book on khushu in salah? if so I wanna get it.
Actually I learnt it from many sources, not particularly a book and yes indeed it is good, alhamdulilah I feel a lot of khushu when I pray like this. May all my brothers and sisters feel the same inshallah
Congratulations sister for finding the true path of Islam, may all muslims find it too Inshallah. As for your problem...may I ask what thoughts do you get, is it like suspecting thoughts?
Jazaki Allah khiir
not suspecting thoughts. its just that i knw very little abt islam which makes me restless and ponder as to what i did or m going to do is right or wrong. in a nutshell m being impatient... i want 2 knw everything at one go which i knw is impossible..
and yes this forum is proving 2 be a boon
There is a saying of Prophet Muhammad (saw) which helps us best in increasing God's consciousness , whether we could be praying or living our lives, like working or studying or helping others... etc...brother Vigno also mentioned it...
"Fear Allah (swt) as if you can see Him, for if you cannot then know that He Sees you." ... and this The Messenger of Allah (saw) said , is called Ihsan (perfection).
Some people have it in mind, that since we are not able to concentrate in our prayers, we should hold on to our prayers and start praying once we can rid our minds from all idle thoughts. Such people are being whispered by Shaytan, so that they can leave the prayer, but once they start working on their plan, then it becomes difficult for them to return to praying again. Please do not do such, keep praying even though your concentration is zero right now and even if it remains like that for a long time, because practice makes a man perfect, you cannot be perfect in one day. So make sure, that it is one's intention and efforts that Allah (swt) looks at... and Allah (swt) knows as it is said in Quran...
(Al Quran 2:45) And seek ain in steadfast patience and prayer (salaah) : and this , indeed is a hard thing for all but the humble minded in spirit.
Since Allah (swt) knows that not every one is humble minded and so it takes time for some to get there, and insh Allah you will, just don't give up. So its a hard thing as Allah says for Mankind who is weak... and Allah knows we are weak...
(Al Quran 4:28) God wants to lighten your burden, for man has been created weak.
Thats is why Allah (swt) sent the Prophet (saw) to make religion easy as He knew not every one can reach perfection, however as long as they keep trying to reach it, it is as good.
(Al Quran 4:28) God wants to lighten your burden, for man has been created weak.
I think i read somewhere that man is the strongest and that Allah said the mountains and the sky and everything to carry the quraan, but they were weak and man carried it as man was strong..?
I will tell you a very good way I came to know from Sheikh Abdullah Al Muslih and Inshallah it will help you greatly.
Before you say Allahu Akbar and start your prayer, imagine the Kaabah right infront of you, Paradise to your right, Hell on your left and the Angel of Death right behind you waiting to take your soul after you are done with the prayer. Then say Allahu Akbar and start.
Of course all this is done fast and it will make you feel that its your last prayer and maybe it is.
Also always pray like you are seeing Allah, and if you don't see him then truly He sees you.
What sister manaal said is also useful, if you can do all this together then you will have the prayer you seek.
Just don't think of life when praying, life on earth is not important, being with Allah is.
May Allah make our prayers filled with khushuu, ameen
Jazakallahu Khaayr for that great advice, very very useful, this is useful for everyone who has problem concentrating on salaah.
Ameen to the Duaa
"Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists).".."[Al Qur'aan 3:2]
Asalamu Alekum
I will tell you a very good way I came to know from Sheikh Abdullah Al Muslih and Inshallah it will help you greatly.
Before you say Allahu Akbar and start your prayer, imagine the Kaabah right infront of you, Paradise to your right, Hell on your left and the Angel of Death right behind you waiting to take your soul after you are done with the prayer. Then say Allahu Akbar and start.
Of course all this is done fast and it will make you feel that its your last prayer and maybe it is.
Also always pray like you are seeing Allah, and if you don't see him then truly He sees you.
What sister manaal said is also useful, if you can do all this together then you will have the prayer you seek.
Just don't think of life when praying, life on earth is not important, being with Allah is.
May Allah make our prayers filled with khushuu, ameen
I think i read somewhere that man is the strongest and that Allah said the mountains and the sky and everything to carry the quraan, but they were weak and man carried it as man was strong..?
"We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains and they refused to bear it and shrunk from it, but man took it up, indeed he was unjust and ignorant. Therefore He will punish the hypocrites, male and female, and forgive the faithful men and women, for God is forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 33:72-73)
This "Trust" (amana) that is being offered to other creation of Allah (swt) and then them "rejecting" it and mankind being the only one "accepting" it means, that the capacity that is to make decisions based on our freedom of Choice, our free Will , which we can excercise to choose right or wrong, and are responsible for our own actions, whether good or bad, shows that no other creation of God has such capacity as we humans do.
Therefore where Allah (swt) says ... indeed he was unjust and ignorant.... means that if some one is unjust meaning they have capacity to be just, and similarly if someone is ignorant it means, they can be knowledgeable and learned and not be ignorant. So these words are being said by Allah (swt) , to explain us that as we , humans have the capacity to observe the world around us and learn and acquire knowledge and make use of that knowledge and so will we be responsible for how we use it, whether we use it to oppress or use it to help and spread peace and build. Thus making us responsible for our own actions.
And so by Man "accepting it" means he is the one to receive Rewards and Punishment, while the others "rejecting" means they are incapable to receive rewards and punishment, for they have NO Free Will and they cannot disobey if they want, for they have to Obey God at all times.
The gift of reason as given to humans unlike any other creation of God, is a unique ability given to us to use it and find our way through observation, towards right guidance, i.e divine revelation sent by God on earth to His chosen ones i.e Prophet, peace be upon them. With this gift we are able to understand whether this is the word of God or not, and so we will be responsible if we obey or disobey.
If we use this Trust (amana) in the best way, by obeying Allah (swt) then we can reach perfection, that is hidden potential inside of us to reach perfection is all paths of our lives, which is only effective if we obey our Lord. But if we continue to disobey our Lord then we can reach the extreme of animalistic nature, which can make us worst than animals.
Now when i quoted the Verse ...(4:28) ...Man has been created weak...this means that since man has a free will, and he has been given the "Trust" that is can obey or disobey, he is prone to sinning at times and is not able to control over himself. Since he sometimes obeys his desires and sometimes obeys Lord by subduing his desires, he can become weak at times and disobey the Lord. That is why Allah (swt) has opened the doors to repentance for him, because He knows we are weak and therefore Quran mentions several times, His attributes like Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Oft Forgiving.
So the strength you ask of, is the strength which is the ability to have Freedom of Choice, which no other creation has, but the weakness which is mentioned in 4:28, means his prone to sin and make mistakes, because of their Free Will.
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said, “Anyone who conceals (the defects of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal them (their defects) in this world and in the Hereafter.”
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