A common complaint of many who seek reformation is their lack of concentration in Salah and finding themselves wanting in the spirit of Salah. They write or ask for some prescription to bring in that spirit and that love of Allah Ta’ala through Salah.
The following guidelines will, insha Allah, assist in improving the quality of one’s Salah:
- Men should try and reach the Musjid before the Azan so that they may read the Sunnah Salah with etiquette and ease – and this should take them about 5 minutes.
- In the remaining few minutes before the Fardh, make Istighfar, Taubah, Zikrullah, or think of the Aakhirah (the Hereafter), accountability and presentation of one’s deeds in the Court of Allah Ta’ala. Reflect on one’s life: What if my death has to come now? Try and cut off from the business and worldly activities as much as possible through this little meditation and Zikr.
Now comes the Fardh Salah: insha Allah, by this time, much of one’s heart will be in that Salah. Insha Allah, with a little effort and perseverance, there will be full attention and concentration.
- Ladies should try and read Salah in its early time, thus giving themselves the opportunity to prepare Salah without any haste. They, too, should make a little zikr before commencing with Salah to get into the right frame of mind.
- Moreover, if we prioritise fulfilling the Rights of Allah Ta’ala, He will assist us in fulfilling our tasks. He will grant Barakah in time to complete our undertakings, insha Allah.
- Condition the mind, address yourself – I am standing before the King of Kings. SubhanAllah. I have been chosen, from millions, to converse with ‘Rabbul ‘Aalamin’, and I am being afforded the greatest honour and privilege (above millions of others) to make sujud to Allah Ta’ala… to be nearest to Allah Ta’ala. [ …If we could truly fathom the greatness of the gift, this ultimate honour, this good fortune – we would never want to leave the position of sujood.]
- And whilst reading the Qur’an Sharif in Salah (and even outside Salah), then think: This is the Kalam (speech) of my Allah – of my Beloved. By contemplating the meaning of the verses that you are reading, think: I am listening to the speech of Allah Ta’ala.
- And since you are reading His Speech, He is also listening to you. Therefore learn the meaning of the Surahs we usually recite in Salah. It will not take long to do so if a little is learnt every day.
- And think: In this Salah, Tilawah, Zikr, or Hamd – I have the special attention of Allah Ta’ala. I have exclusive attention because this is my ‘Mi’raj’; this is my conversation and communication with the Master of the Worlds. What a compounded bounty – SubhanAllah! So many gifts in the gift packaged as Salah. How can any sane-thinking Muslim ever refuse such a gift?
In contemplating this, we will experience the beauty and sweetness and pleasure of Salah. We will understand the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) says that the coolness of his eyes is in Salah. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the reality.