A Question About Prayer

[Ilikemyscarf]

Salam Alaykum,

I have such a hard time concentrating in salah. I find my mind drifting off to things I would never think about, somehow it all happens only when I'm trying to pray. I read audobillah minashaytan nir rajeem before each of my surahs, but sometimes even that's not enough.

Any tips?

[Wolfn]

Here's what I try to do:

1) Think about what you say when you pray. For example, when you say "Allahu Akbar" in the prayer, also say in your mind "God is Greater". That way, you know what you're saying when you pray, and it becomes much more effective and you concentrate better.

2) When a random thought comes to mind, say "allahu akbar" and push it to the back of your mind. My friend offered me this tip, but he says it begins to hurt after awhile.

3) When you pray, imagine someone is holding a gun to your head and will kill you once you're finished. You will find yourself performing the best prayers of your life




But yeah, Shaitan is whispering in your ear when you pray. When I pray, I suddenly remember things I forgot, I think about stuff I need to complete, I wonder if I'm in a state of wudu, and so forth.

[the_only_one]

My first teacher told me.

• If you have khushu problems in your salah, then picture the 'heaven and hell' on eachside
• if you all alone, recite it outloud
• whenever a flying thought occurs to you, seek Protection against shaytan say "audu billahi minash shaytha nir rajim. Apparently, you can say this at any stage of your salah..dont quote me, but thats what i was taught.
• pray in Jamah/congregation..shaytan will find it difficult to tackle all of you at once..
• ponder on the meaning of the ayahs
• imagine if you are being watched by Creators of the World.
• closing your eyes to gain more concentration-least desirable

Allahu 3alim.

[sanuri11]

i think i read in a hadith that if you want to properly concentrate during salah, you should start with concentrating during your wudu. think only of what you are about to do when making wudu and the actions you are making at the time. think of your limbs being washed and puified and how Allah is taking away your sins with every water that drops from your body. say bismillah with each action... all in all, concentrate during wudu and realize what you are preparing for.

[AbuAlAbbas]

This is a very benificial lecture inshALLAH in regards to khushoo3 in salat. Its in arabic.
http://al-sunna.net/download/othman/...-sunna.net.wmv

[sak01]

This should work:

Think about the last argument/debate you had with someone. Then think of those moments where your nemesis made a point and you were at a loss for words. You know they were wrong but you didn't have the time to think through an answer.

Now really concentrate on a rebuttal. In your mind's eye dissect there argument. Form a crescendo of points and counterpoints. Predict your foes flimsy interruptions and destroy them with shear force of will. Raise your voice. Change your tone. Laugh as required. Reduce them to a stuttering, shivering excuse for a crack addict. When they can say no more allow a brief silence, lower your voice and finish them with a quote from a 19th Century gay psychiatrist.

By this time your salaah will have finished and you will emerge victorious and have an extra kick in your step until the next salaah.

[Ilikemyscarf]

sanuri11 said

i think i read in a hadith that if you want to properly concentrate during salah, you should start with concentrating during your wudu. think only of what you are about to do when making wudu and the actions you are making at the time. think of your limbs being washed and puified and how Allah is taking away your sins with every water that drops from your body. say bismillah with each action... all in all, concentrate during wudu and realize what you are preparing for.

Jazakallah.

AbuAlAbbas said

This is a very benificial lecture inshALLAH in regards to khushoo3 in salat. Its in arabic.
http://al-sunna.net/download/othman/...-sunna.net.wmv

Jazakallah.

sak01 said

This should work:

Think about the last argument/debate you had with someone. Then think of those moments where your nemesis made a point and you were at a loss for words. You know they were wrong but you didn't have the time to think through an answer.

Now really concentrate on a rebuttal. In your mind's eye dissect there argument. Form a crescendo of points and counterpoints. Predict your foes flimsy interruptions and destroy them with shear force of will. Raise your voice. Change your tone. Laugh as required. Reduce them to a stuttering, shivering excuse for a crack addict. When they can say no more allow a brief silence, lower your voice and finish them with a quote from a 19th Century gay psychiatrist.

By this time your salaah will have finished and you will emerge victorious and have an extra kick in your step until the next salaah.

[Sim]

bismillah,

its an interesting thread, especially since i read this book not long ago by Ibn Rajab al hanbali (ra) about the humility in prayer, and it quotes hadith in there which state that the first knowledge to be lifted from the ummah is humility in prayer...such that there will be huge masjids but not a single person will be praying with humility...

i say just remember the advice in hadith gibril - where gibril asked the Prophet (saw) "infrom me about ihsan (spiritual excellence)"

the Prophet (saw) replied "it is to pray as if you see Him, and if you cannot do that then know that He sees you"

as soon as your mind wonders just remind yourself that your standing in front of Allah, if not that then know that He sees you....just imagine, your Lord sees youuuuu!!!!!! scary huh

[moonglow]

I've been reading a lot of 'how to pray' sites to try and help me remember what to do. Haven't started praying yet, I'm going to soon though inshallah, a sister is coming over this weekend to help teach me.

But I keep seeing on some of these sites that some prayers are done out loud, and others silently.

Does silently mean 'whispering' soft talking, or in my head?

Thanks

[YOUSUFofSD]

soft talking, i don't think that it is supposed to be done in the
head. Though I'm not sure if i was just not taught that or
if it is some kind of rule.

Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

[Jamroll]

moonglow said

I've been reading a lot of 'how to pray' sites to try and help me remember what to do. Haven't started praying yet, I'm going to soon though inshallah, a sister is coming over this weekend to help teach me.

But I keep seeing on some of these sites that some prayers are done out loud, and others silently.

Does silently mean 'whispering' soft talking, or in my head?

Thanks

As a general rule, the day time ones (dhuhr and asr) are done in silence, and the night time ones (maghrib, isha, fajr) out loud.

The ones that are done outloud you can just perform at "room level". You don't have to shout or anything, just at the level that you would speak to someone who is in the room with you.

The silent ones are done in silence. As in, yes, you read them in your head. Sometimes people whisper very softly so they don't lose track of what they're saying, but it is better to do it in your head.

[YOUSUFofSD]

Thanks Jamy!

[moonglow]

Thank you! That clears it up for me!

[rawrr]

Edit: Okay I found:

When you are asked to 'Say' or 'Recite' or 'Read' in the directions. The sound must not be loud and at the same time not totally silent. It should be loud enough just for your ears to hear it and not so loud that a person next to you would be able to hear your recitation clearly. If a person next to you could hear only a mimic from you, that's fine. If you are surrounded by noise such as a fan's noise and you are not able to understand your recitation, it is okay. In an utmost quite room you should be able to understand your recitation. In any case must say it loud enough as mentioned above.

I was sure that I was told that it's better not to recite in my head, and that's why I've posted this. Maybe there's a difference in opinion?

[fahmed]

A very good website for beginners -- i profess.com :: for converts to islam ::