Salah is not just an obligation—it is the believer’s direct connection with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Yet for many, prayer has become a routine task, something to "get over with" rather than a source of tranquility and spiritual upliftment. The Prophet ﷺ found joy in his prayer, saying:
"O Bilal, bring us comfort through the prayer." (Sunan Abi Dawood: 4985)
Compare this to how we approach Salah today—rushing through it without mindfulness, disconnected from the meaning of what we recite. The reality is, true khushu' (humility and concentration in prayer) is missing.
But how did the righteous predecessors attain it? How did they reach such a level of devotion that external distractions, even the collapse of their surroundings, could not shake their focus?
This blog delves into the essential steps to cultivate khushu’ in Salah—not through abstract ideals, but through practical actions that you can implement today.
What is Khushu' and How To Achieve it?
Khushu' is the heart’s submission before Allah, a deep sense of humility and awareness in Salah. It is not merely about physical stillness but about the heart being present in worship. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ describes the successful believers as:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ ﴿٢﴾
"Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive (خَاشِعُونَ)." (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:1-2)
Without khushu', Salah becomes an empty ritual. It is possible to stand in prayer, go through the motions, and yet have the heart wandering elsewhere. The Prophet ﷺ warned:
"A man may pray and only have recorded for him a tenth, a ninth, an eighth, a seventh, a sixth, a fifth, a quarter, a third, or half of his prayer." (Sunan Abi Dawood: 796)
So how do we develop this level of devotion? What are the steps to truly experience Salah as it was meant to be?
1. Knowing Who You Are Standing Before:
The first and most crucial step to khushu' is knowing Allah. When you recognize His greatness, His knowledge of everything in your heart, His power over all affairs—how can you not stand in awe in Salah?
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ commands:
فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
"So know that there is no deity except Allah." (Surah Muhammad 47:19)
This 'ilm (knowledge) is not mere information but an unshakable conviction. Who is the One you bow to? The One who created you, who controls your affairs, who hears every thought in your mind, every whisper in your heart. How can you stand before Him absent-minded?
The Prophet ﷺ described Ihsaan as:
"To worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then know that He sees you." (Sahih Al-Bukhari: 50)
This level of awareness transforms your prayer from routine to a personal conversation with Allah Himself!
2. Honoring the Prayer:
To attain khushu', one must first recognize the greatness of Salah itself. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Allah has commanded you to pray. When you pray, do not turn away, for Allah sets His face towards His servant as long as he does not turn away." (Jami' At-Tirmidhi: 2863 )
Imagine—Allah turns His attention to you in Salah! Yet, many of us treat prayer lightly, distracted by our thoughts, checking the time, and rushing through the motions.
The righteous predecessors had a completely different approach. Ali ibn Hussain before praying, would turn pale. When asked why, he said:
"Do you know before whom I am about to stand?" (Ḥilyat al-awliyāʼ:1/133)
They understood that Salah is not a ritual—it is standing before The Owner of the Day of Recompense.
3. Pondering Over the Qur'an:
Many of us recite without understanding. How can the heart be engaged if the mind is absent? Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ says:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا
"Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon their hearts?" (Surah Muhammad 47:24)
In Salah, the verses of Allah's Book are recited—but do you listen?
Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله said:
"If the Qur’an does not humble your heart today, it will force you to humble yourself before the Hellfire tomorrow."
Ponder on what you are reciting. Feel the weight of the words. When Allah describes Jannah, ask Allah for it. When He warns of Hellfire, seek refuge from it. Let the Qur'an stir your heart.
4. Making Du’a for Khushu'
True khushu' is a gift from Allah. Beg Him for it.
The Prophet ﷺ would often say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from a heart that does not have humility." (Jami’ At-Tirmidhi: 3482)
When was the last time you asked Allah to make your Salah meaningful? Supplicate before and after prayer. Ask Allah for focus, sincerity, and love for the Salah.
5. Preparing Properly for Salah
Would you enter an important meeting disheveled and distracted? Then why rush into Salah mindlessly where you will be standing before Rabbul ‘Alamin?
Practical Tips Before Prayer:
✅ Perform Wudu properly—feel the sins washing away.
✅ Find a quiet place—eliminate distractions.
✅ Arrive early—sit and make dhikr before Salah begins.
✅ Wear clean, respectful clothing—realise you are about to stand in front of Allah.
This mental and physical preparation shifts your mindset from routine to devotion.
6. Controlling Distractions in Salah
Ever find yourself in prayer but thinking about work, food, or daily worries? Shaytan steals your focus. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Verily, if one of you stands for prayer, Satan comes to distract him until he does not know how many cycles he has performed..." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1232)
How to Cut Off Distractions:
- Pray as if it’s your last Salah
- Recite slowly—rushing kills focus
- Pause between verses—let the meaning sink in
- Vary your Surahs—avoid robotic recitation
- Focus on movement—be mindful in every bow and prostration
When you consciously engage in your Salah, distractions begin to fade.
Conclusion: Revive Your Salah, Revive Your Iman
Salah is not meant to be a burden—it is a lifeline. A believer’s greatest peace and tranquility is found in truly connecting with Allah.
✔ Know who you are praying to
✔ Recognize the honor of Salah
✔ Understand the Qur'an you recite
✔ Beg Allah for khushu'
✔ Prepare for prayer properly
✔ Eliminate distractions
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The first thing a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgment is their Salah. If it is sound, the rest of their deeds will be sound. If it is corrupt, then the rest of their deeds will be corrupt." (Jami’ At-Tirmidhi: 3358)
Your Salah defines your connection with Allah. Will you let it be an empty ritual, or will you transform it into a life-changing experience?
Take the Next Step in Transforming Your Worship!
If these insights inspired you and you’re ready to elevate your connection with Allah, don’t stop here! Dive deeper with our AMAU Academy course, "How to Be from the Righteous Slaves of Allah." This comprehensive program will help you develop sincerity, strengthen your devotion, and ultimately enhance your khushu' in Salah.
As a special bonus, we highly recommend watching this powerful lecture by Ustadh AbdulRahman Hassan on how to attain khushu' in Salah. If you struggle with focus in prayer, this is a must-watch!