My dear brothers and sisters, I have a concentration problem. I sometimes can't concentrate well in salat, and my mind wanders away. Any advice?
May Allah bless you and hae mercy with you.
Asalaamu Alaikum Wr Wb, this is a problem that most of us go through where we lose concentration in prayer and end up praying Salah like a robot would without any feeling or emotion. This is clearly because we are shackled in our own sins and therefore lose the peace and comfort of prayer.
We must gain this 'khushoo' back where our hearts are fully occupied of whatever say in our salah.
Before we start any prayer we should first stand there for a minute or two and completley clear our minds like a blank sheet of paper and rid our minds of whatever is going on in the day and just think for a moment that "this prayer will only be for a few minutes and i can think of other things later but right now i am going to meet with my lord", and then let us focus our minds to what task we are going to undertake.
We need to think that right now i am going to meet with our lord and that is the most amazing thing so let us humble ourselves and imagine that Allah is going to be watching whatever i do or say in my prayer.
If someone is monitoring us in our jobs for example then obviously we would want to do the best job we can. Sameway in Salah Allah is monitoring us and watching our every move and whatever we say so should we not be aware of this at least?
Also i recommend anyone who does not know what they are saying in Salah to memorise exactly what they are reading in Salah, this will significantly help in concentrating in prayer because then one would know what they are saying and will say it with emotion and with their hearts.
Here is an article which i have pasted which will help inshallah and also after the article i have pasted the FULL transliteration and translation of eveything we say in our Salah so that we can memorise the meanings of everything we say so that we can focus more and say it with our hearts inshallah
How to gain Khushu in Salat
By Dr. Mamdouh N. Mohamed
Associate Professor at the American Open University
What is Khushuu’?
Khushuu’ during Salaat is misunderstood by some people as crying and weeping. Rather, it is the presence of the heart during an act of ‘ibadah. When a person’s heart is fully occupied of what he says or hears, he is in a true state of khushuu’. The concept of Khushuu’ in Salaat is very essential.
1- It is a vital factor in making a person successful in this life and in later life.
“Indeed, the believers, who have khushuu’ in their Salaat, are the winners.”
قد أفلح المؤمنون الذين هم في صلاتهم خاشعون
2-It is a contributing factor for the acceptance of Salaat.
3- It is a way to gain more rewards from the Almighty Allah; the more the
khushuu’ a person has, the more rewards he gets.
4- Without Khushuu’ the heart cannot easily be purified.
Ways to Gain Khushuu’
A. Pre-Salaat
1- A Muslim should know his Lord very well. Knowing whom one worships makes a person a better worshipper. Having clear and authentic knowledge about Allah increases His love in our hearts. Consequently, faith also increases.
2- Avoiding major and minor sins is very helpful in gaining Khushuu’, as the heart becomes more receptive to the words of Allah during and after Salaat.
3- Reciting the Qur’an frequently and consistently softens the hearts and prepares it for Khushuu’. Hard hearts do not gain Khushuu’.
4- Minimize attachment to worldly matters. Gearing one’s intentions towards the Afterlife helps against the temptations of life.
5- Avoid excessive laughter and useless arguments as they harden the heart and lead to heedlessness.
6- Stop working as soon as you hear the Azaan. When you listen attentively to the call of Salaat repeat after the muˆz-zin then offer the relevant supplication. This prepares you for a smooth transition from the business with worldly matters to the business with Salaat.
7- Performing wuduuˆ immediately after hearing the Azaan prepares you for the pending Salsat. Wuduuˆ also works as a buffer zone before engaging in Salaat.
8- Going to the mosque early for praying and continuing mention of Allah drives Satan away and help gain concentration.
9- The waiting time for the congregational Salaat helps create a buffer zone between the state of mind before Salaat and the state of during Salaat.
B. During Salaat
1- The Iqaamah itself is a final signal to the mind to be well prepared for performing the actual Salaat. Remember what the messenger of Allah said to Bilal (ra) “Let us enjoy the comfort of the Salaat.”
2- When you stand facing the Qiblah remember the following:
a. It might be the last Salaat in your life. There is no guarantee to live longer to catch the next Salaat.
b. You are standing between the hands of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. How can you be busy with something else?
c. The angel of death is chasing you.
3- Do not forget to make isti’azah. It wards off Satan’s whispers.
4- Keep your eyes focused on the place of sujuud. This helps you gain more concentration.
5- When reciting the Fatiha, try to recall the response of Allah to you after every ayah you say. (When you say: ”al-hamdu lillahi rab-bil ‘alamin) Allah responds: “My servant praised me.” etc. This feeling of speaking to Allah puts you in the right mood of khushuu’.
6- Beautifying the recitation of the Qur’an has a positive impact on the heart.
7- Recite the Qur’an slowly and reflect upon its meaning deeply.
8- It is recommended to change the suras that your recite from time to time to avoid the mechanic-like state of repetition.
9- Alternate between the various authentic sunan such as proclaiming a different opening supplication in every Salaat.
10- Undoubtedly, understanding Arabic helps you focus on the intended meaning.
11- Interact with the recited aayahs;
a. if you hear an ayah about Allah, glorify Him by saying “Subhaana Allah”;
b. If you hear an ayah about Hellfire, say “a’uuthu billaahi mina-n-naar”.
c. If you hear a command to make istighfaar, do it.
d. If you hear an ayah that requests tasbiih, make tasbiih.
12- These forms of interactions are very helpful in keeping you focused.
13- When you prostrate, remember that this position brings you closer to Allah. Seize the opportunity to make sincere du’aaˆ. Invest these moments in making sincere supplications.
C- Post-Salaat
e. When you make tasliim, make istighfaar to Allah as you might have made during Salaat.
f. When you praise Allah, thank Him from the bottom of your heart that you have experienced the beauty of Salaat in your heart. Getting used to this habit prepares your for the next Salaat, as you will always be eager to focus in your prayer.
g. One perfection leads to another perfection. If some one perfects his Salaat once, he would be self-motivated to continue on the same level.
Praise is only for Allah, Lord of the Universe.
The most Kind, the most Merciful.
The master of the Day of Judgement.
You alone we worship and to you alone we pray for help.
Show us the straight way,
The way of those whom you have blessed.
Who have not deserved your anger,
Nor gone astray.
Say: He is Allah, the only one.
Allah helps and does not need help.
He does not produce a child, and He was not born of anyone.
There is no one equal to Him.
Subhana Rabbi'al Azeem
"Glory to my Lord the Exalted".
Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah
“Allah listens to him who praises Him"
Rabbana lakal Hamd
"Oh our Lord, all praise is to you".
Subhana Rabbi yal A'ala
"Oh Allah glory be to you, the most high."
AttahiyyaatuLillahi Was Salawatu Wattayyibatu Assalamu Alaika Ayyuhannabi 'yu 'Warahmatullahi Wabarka'tuhu Assalamu Alaina Wa'ala'Ibadillahis Saa'liheen, Ash'had'u'un La ilahaillallahu Wa Ash'hadu Anna MuhammadunAbd'uhu Wa Rasooluh
All compliments, all physical prayer and all monetary worship are for Allah.
Peace be upon you, Oh Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
Peace be on us and on all righteous slaves of Allah.
I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger
Allahumma Salleh Alaa Muhammadin Wa'ala' Aale Muhammadin Kama Sallaiyta Alaa Ibraheema Wa' Ala Aale Ibraheema InnakaHameedum Majeed
Allahumma Baarak Alaa Muhammadin Wa' Ala Aale Muhammadin Kama Baarakta Alaa Ibraheem Wa' Ala Aale Ibraheema Innaka Hameedum Majeed
Oh Allah, send grace and honour on Muhammad and
On the family and true followers of Muhammad
just as you sent Grace and Honour on Ibrahim
and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim
Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great.
Oh Allah, send your blessing on Muhammad and
the true followers of Muhammad, just
as you sent blessings on Ibrahim
and his true followers
Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great.
Dua after durood
Rab bij'alnee muqeemas salati wa min
zur-riy yatee rab-bana wata qab-bal du'a,
rab-ba nagh-firlee wali waliday-ya
wa lil mu-mineena yawma yaqumul hisab.
Oh Lord, make me and my children keep up prayers,
Our Lord, accept our prayer,
Our Lord, forgive me and my parents
and all the Believers on the Day of Judgement.
Rabbana Aatina Fid Duniya Hasanataw Wafil Akhirati Hasanataw Wa Qina Azaaban Naar
"Our Lord, grant us the good of this world and that of the Hereafter and save us from the torture of hell.”
Assalamu Alai'kumWarah'matullah
“Peace and mercy of Allah be on you".
Dua Qunoot (to be recited in the 3 rakat Witr Prayer at the end of third rakat after alhamdu and surat then touch ears and say allahu akbar and recite this dua)
Allah humma inna nast'eenuka wa nastaghfiruka wa nu'minu bika wa natawak-kalu 'alayka wa nuthne 'alayk-al khayr. Wa nashkuruka wa laaa nakfuruka wa nakhla'u wa natruku man-y yafjuruka. Allah humma iyyaka na'budu wa laka nusal-lee wa nasjudu wa ilayka nas'a wa nahfidu wa narju rahmataka wa nakhsha 'azabaka inna 'azabaka bil kuf-fari mulhiq.
Translation:
Oh Allah, we ask you for help and seek your forgiveness, and we believe in You and have trust in You, and we praise you in the best way and we thank You and we are not ungrateful to you, and we forsake and turn away from the one who disobeys you. O Allah, we worship You only and pray to You and prostrate ourselves before You, and we run towards You and serve You, and we hope to receive your mercy, and we fear your punishment. Surely, the disbelievers will receive your punishment.
Another dua one can make after durood is:
Allahumma Innee Zalamtu nafsee zthulman katheeran wa la yaghfaru zunuba illa anta faghfirlee maghfiritam min indika war hamnee innaka antal ghaforar raheem.
Translation : "O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself and You alone can forgive sins, so grant me forgiveness from you and have mercy on me. You are the forgiving and Merciful One.
Last edited by Hamza Asadullah; 12-06-2009 at 04:28 PM.
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Re: Concetration in salat
I've benefited a lot from it.
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