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KHUSHOOHumble and fully submissive Prayer (Salah/Namaz)

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Outline

What’s Khushoo? Importance of Khushoo Khushoo in the Qur’an and Sunnah Prayer and it’s etiquettes Tips on attaining Khushoo Summary

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What’s Khushoo?

Khushoo means being completely solemn, submissive and humble to Allah during our performance of prayer.

The place of khushoo is the heart (center of spiritual intellect), and its effects are manifested in the physical body

It refers to highest qualitative state of heart in performing daily prayers

What makes a person have this khushoo is bewareness of Allah and the sense that He is always watching i.e., Ihsan

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Heart is the seat of khushoo

Khushoo is not simply a posture or a position in prayer one can imitate

Rather it is state of the heart as it can only give allegiance to one thing at a time“Allah has not put for any man two hearts inside his body…” (Al‐Ahzab, 33:4)

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The Importance of khushoo in prayer

“Stand (in Prayer) to Allah in a devout frame of mind…” (Al‐Baqarah, 2:238)

“Establish Prayer for My remembrance.” (Taha, 20:14)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “From among us is one who prays his prayer completely and another who prays half, or a third, or a quarter” until he reached a tenth.

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Kushoo in the Qur’an

“Prosperous indeed are the believers. They are in their Prayer humble and fully submissive (being overwhelmed by the awe and majesty of God).” (Al-Mu’minun, 23:1-2)

“…Of all His servants, only those possessed of true knowledge stand in awe of God…” (Fatir, 35:28)

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Khushoo in the Qur’an

“Seek help through patience and through the Prayer. Indeed the Prayer is burdensome, but not for those humbled by their reverence of God: Those who feel as if always in the Presence of their Lord, having met with Him; and are certain of following the way to return to Him.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:45-46)

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Kushoo in the Qur’an

“If We had sent down this Qur'ān on a mountain, you would certainly see it humble itself, splitting asunder for awe of God. Such parables We strike for humankind so that they may reflect.” (Al-Hashr, 59:21)

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Kushoo in the Qur’an

“Surely, the Prayer restrains from all that is indecent and shameful, and all that is evil. Surely God's remembrance is the greatest (of all types of worship, and not restricted to the Prayer). God knows all that you do.” (Al-Ankabut, 29:45)

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Tremendous reward in waiting

“Surely … all men and women humble (in mind and heart before God), … and all men and women who remember and mention God much – for them (all), God has prepared forgiveness (to bring unforeseen blessings) and a tremendous reward.” (Al-Ahzab, 33:35)

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Khushoo; a reason for forgiveness

The Prophet (pbuh)

said: “Five prayers which Allah has made obligatory. Whoever does ablution properly for them, prays them on time, does rukoo (bowing down) properly and has perfect khushoo, it is a promise from Allah that he will be forgiven...

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Prayer is a favor from God

Prayer is the pillar and essential part of the faith. It is a strong reminder and joy for the faithful.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “… and my joy has been made in prayer.”

Just like the sunflower and the Sun, the daily prayers revive and invigorate consciousness and feelings of a believer at least five times a day.

Those who show lack of interest or excuses towards performing daily prayers properly run the risk of great disappointment in the hereafter.

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The importance of prayer (salah)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:“The first action for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayers. If they are in order then he would have prospered and succeeded…”

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The prayer

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said“Pray as you see me pray.” (Al‐Bukhari)

Prayer and ensuing dhikr consist of Glorifying God - Subhanallah Exalting God - Allahu Akbar Giving thanks to Almighty God –

Alhamdulillah

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Prayer; a conversation with Allah

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah, the Blessed and Exalted has said: ‘I have divided the prayer between Myself and My slave, into two halves, and My slave shall have what he has asked for.” When the slave says ‘Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,’ Allah says, ‘My slave has praised Me.’ When the slave says, ‘The Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy,’ Allah says, ‘My slave has extolled me.’ When the slave says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment,’ Allah says, ‘My slave has glorified me.’ When the slave says, ‘It is You alone we worship and it is You alone we ask for help,’ Allah says, ‘This is between Me and My slave, and My slave shall have what he asked for.’ When the slave says, ‘Guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those whom You have favored, not the path of those who receive Your anger, nor of those who go astray,’ Allah says, ‘All these are for My slave, and My slave shall have what he asked for.’”

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The question is…

How one can attain khushoo - this joyous state of the heart and humbleness in prayer?

It’s not impossible… Just like most things it requires some effort from the individual in the light of Qur’an and the Sunnah.

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Obstacles in the way to khushoo

Our feelings, emotions, carnal desires, wishes etc

The whispers of Satan the rejected“Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left…” (al-A’raf, 7:17)

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Who would you call a thief?

The Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer.’ O Messenger of Allah, how can a person steal from his prayer? companions asked. He said, ‘By not doing rukoo and sujood properly.’

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The Etiquettes of prayer

State of purity i.e. having ablution

Clothing free from any filth

Covering the required parts of the body

Commencement of prayer time

Facing the direction of the Qiblah

Intention for the prayer

Starting with the opening Takbeer – Allahu Akbar

Standing Recitation of Qur’an (al-

Fatiha and a selection of verses)

Bowing down (rukoo) Prostration on seven body

parts (forehead, nose, palms, knees and feet )

Final sitting at the end of the prayer

Before the prayer Within the prayer

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Tips to attain khushoo

Hold a sincere intention to seek the pleasure of Allah in the prayer to be performed

Busy tongue with dhikr (subhanallah, alhamdulillah, Allahu akbar etc) and supplicate for help from Allah

Prepare yourself for prayer properly - state of mind, ablution, attire

Allow yourself ample time to perform and use a suitable place for prayer

Remove anything that could be a distraction in the immediate surroundings

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Tips to attain khushoo cont’d Look for opportunities for praying in

congregation whenever possible Seek refuge with Allah from the Satan the

rejected Aim to have complete consciousness or

presence of mind during the performance of the prayer

Show reverence and work to feel Allah’s Majesty in the heart during the prayer

Worship Allah as if you see Him. You cannot see Him but be mindful He can see you

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Tips to attain khushoo cont’d Move at a measured pace during the

prayer Recite in slow tones with best possible

voice Ponder on the verses being recited during

the prayer Look at the place of prostration Vary the verses and supplications recited

in prayer Not praying when food ready, call of

nature needed, one feels sleepy or behind sleeping person

Not making any moves, gestures or receive salutations

Recite the recommended dhikr and supplications

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Summary

Khushoo is important part of the prayer and absence of it should not be taken lightly

One has to do his best to attain it Allah has not burdened us beyond our

capacity. “Be aware that it is in the remembrance

of, and whole-hearted devotion to, God that hearts find rest and contentment.” (Al-Rad, 13:28)

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In closing…

May Allah forgive my shortcomings in relating this topic to you.

May Allah make us among those who perform their prayers in the manner that is most pleasing to Allah the Exalted! Amin

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References and useful links

www.muslimway.org www.mquran.org www.fgulen.org www.tecvid.org www.fountainmagazine.com www.pmuhammad.com www.mlife.org www.infinitelight.org

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