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The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh - Islam for Muslims - Nairaland

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The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by eluquenson(m): 8:25am On Feb 05, 2016
[img]http://insideislam.wisc.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/slamicPrayer.png[/img]
ADVANCE PREPARATION –Try and complete all needs and duties before the approach of salāh, or at least leave them in such a condition that would not distract the mind during the salāh. It is sinful to perform salāh in an uneasy distracted state of mind when one is able to avoid it. A distracted mind also refers to performing salāh when in need of relieving oneself or of even passing ‘wind’ (i.e. flatulence). In fact, if such an acute need does occur during the salāh, the salāh should be terminated and only resumed once at ease (irrespective of whether, by doing so, the salāh with congregation is missed or not).5

A METICULOUS WUDU – Perform a thorough wudu maintaining the fard, sunnah and mustahab aspects. Utilise a moderate amount of water and desist from all worldly talk. Involvement in such talk ruins the spirituality of the wudu totally. Remember! The key to salāh is wudu. So, a better wudu will surely lead to a better salāh.

SWITCH THE MIND OFF –The stepping stone to an attentive salāh is to ensure one commences it with a tranquil and relaxed mind. To achieve this, try and be seated in the Musjid (or the place of salāh) before time and recite a little amount of zikr. Just as how the blades of the fan continue to rotate well after the switch is turned off, so too is the effect of all activities on one’s mind. Coming early for salāh will also secure the good fortune of performing the salāh with the first takbīr (takbīr ūlā) which is extremely meritorious.

CLEAR THE AREA – Perform the salāh away from any distractions such as the T.V, radio, nasheeds which are playing, discussions of people, noise etc., as these naturally distract and divert the mind during the salāh. If possible, try to perform salāh on a plain printed musalla instead of a heavily designed one. Otherwise, one would be concentrating on the designs and counting of the domes and minarets instead of counting the number of rakats.

TIPS – Some Úlama have recommended a simple though effective technique to achieve concentration. In every posture of salāh, one should meditate on only three things. These are: (1) My Allah is watching me, (2) My Allah is listening to me, and (3) My Allah is aware of me. With this frame of mind, one should recite the various tasbīhāt, qirat etc. of the salāh. Those who are well versed in Arabic should ponder over the meanings of the verses while others should try to learn the meanings of a few sūrahs, especially Sūrah Fātihah, since it is recited most often. Many of us have our set sūrahs for a 2, 3 and 4 rakat salāh. Hence, on completion of Sūrah Fātihah, before even thinking and realising what sūrah to choose and recite, we are already half way through these sūrahs. In this case, we should recite other sūrahs such as Sūrah Yasin, Tabarak etc. Pronouncing the letters loud enough as to hear it yourself (but not loud enough as to disturb others) is also extremely useful in focusing one’s attention in the salāh. We should also try to perfect the outer postures of salāh including the focusing of one’s gaze in each posture. If greater concentration is achieved by closing the eyes during the salāh, then in this case only, one may close the eyes.6 However, the ideal would be to achieve this concentration by keeping them open as was the Sunnah (practice) of our Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam.

THE YAWNS... – More often than not, yawning is the result of one being absent-minded during the salāh. Nonetheless, if it does occur, one should first try to suppress it (by closing the mouth). If one is unable to do so, then the right hand should be used to cover the mouth, if one is in the standing position. Otherwise the left hand should be used if in any other posture of the salāh.

NOTE: It is makrūh to use the hand to cover the mouth when yawning during salāh if one is able to suppress it by doing so with the mouth only.7 Sounds such as ‘Ha...’ etc. should not be uttered while yawning as this has been prohibited in the Ahadith.8

FIDDLING – The most obvious and apparent sign of an inattentive mind is that of fiddling and fidgeting. Saeed Ibn Musayyib رحمه الله, a great Tābi’ī, once saw a man who was fidgeting with his beard during the salāh and commented, “If this man was attentive, his body would have (also) being motionless.”9 If the mind is alert and attentive, subsequently, the physical body also becomes composed and tranquil. Let us avoid all unnecessary movement during the salāh.

SHORT AND SWEET – Initially, concentration should be developed by performing shorter (not quick and hasty) salāhs while trying to focus in each posture. Once the desired concentration is achieved, one may then perform lengthier rakats of salāh. This was the practice of many of our pious elders.

A GROSS MISUNDERSTANDING – A common understanding of an attentive salāh is that, one should be totally absorbed and oblivious of one’s surroundings during the salāh. This is incorrect. Experiencing such a condition is simply a gift from Allah and is in no way a requirement of salāh. In fact, at times this may even be a subtle scheme from Shaytan to sway us away from mustering up courage and attempting to perform a perfect salāh. Since, one would think that such a salāh is out of my reach and impossible for me to perform, so I’ll just carry on with my old inattentive one. Nevertheless, an attentive salāh simply means that one should be aware and realise what one is doing during the course of the salāh. For example, one should be conscious of the fact that now I am reciting Sūrah Fatiha, or now I am going into ruku, sajda etc. this much is sufficient when initially correcting our salāh.

If still you have problem concentrating...

If after carefully practicing on these points, one still does not achieve the desired concentration, one should not be disillusioned. Remember that concentration comes through practice while salāh has to be performed in all circumstances, with or without concentration. Shaytan will find this to be an ideal opportunity to sway us away from salāh with thoughts such as, ‘what good is your salāh if your mind is wandering all over the place?’ The Úlama state that our effort is to ‘try’ to concentrate in the event of not having achieved concentration. Allah wants to see our sincere attempt in developing that better salāh. If one entertains stray thoughts during the salāh, repent sincerely and make a resolute intention of improving the salāh. In addition to this brief compilation, the following books should also be consulted:


Source: Tazkiyatips

38 Likes 8 Shares

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by Kennywonders: 9:35am On Feb 12, 2016
Allahu Akbar

5 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by hardhedhoyin(m): 9:40am On Feb 12, 2016
Tanx for dis article, may Allah increase u in in knowledge

3 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by ashjamu(f): 9:42am On Feb 12, 2016
Alhamdulillah May Allah reward you, tnx for d piece

3 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by Onezie(f): 9:43am On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakhallahu khayr

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by DrShiffy: 9:54am On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakhallau khayran. May Allah bless you and shower His mercy on you for this piece, its highly educative...

3 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by Mutuwa(m): 9:54am On Feb 12, 2016
Alhamdulilahi..

Jazak Allahu Khairan..

3 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by kollyk4u(m): 9:58am On Feb 12, 2016
As one of my teachers in my secondary school days always say, 'no knowledge is too small for u to gain'. Thanks very much.
People who share their knowledge are always blessed with abundant knowledge from Allah. May Allah bless u. Jaza qa lahu kaeran

2 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by casttlebarbz(m): 10:00am On Feb 12, 2016
Jazak Allahu Khairan..

2 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by monlawal(m): 10:01am On Feb 12, 2016
Thank you very much brother. Indeed we learn everyday in these beautiful religion

2 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by OTUNBAPASSA1(m): 10:05am On Feb 12, 2016
may Allah reward u for dis gud n sensitive hint..........

2 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by sherif4owo(m): 10:06am On Feb 12, 2016
Insha Allah

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by SweetSoup(m): 10:22am On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakallahu Khairan, May Allah bless the op and bless all Muslims..

2 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by maryam6(f): 10:25am On Feb 12, 2016
This is a wonderful piece, Jazakallahu khairan.

4 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by bakjal(m): 10:33am On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakallahu Khairan...May Allah put more light to His Deen!

2 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by bobchigar(m): 10:37am On Feb 12, 2016
Alhamdulilahi. May Allah increase your knowledge.

Jazakalahu khairan

3 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by guji(m): 10:48am On Feb 12, 2016
while in prayers you constantly loss concentration, its been advised by Ulaamas that spit to your left hand auuzu billahi minal kanzar three times. khanzar is a shaitaan that comes in between prayers.

3 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by eitsei(m): 10:57am On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakumllah Khaeran... It's an eye opening

2 Likes

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by Okusi(m): 11:18am On Feb 12, 2016
maryam6:
This is a wonderful piece, Jazakallahu khairan.

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by oshorlabyC(m): 11:46am On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakumllahu Khairan. May Allah increase your knowledge and Imaan.

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by kaokao2015: 11:46am On Feb 12, 2016
Alhamdullilah that am a muslim

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by shakurkings(m): 12:17pm On Feb 12, 2016
JAZAKUM LLAHI KHAIRAN

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by Twistone(m): 1:03pm On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakallah khair. such an informative post

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by ChiefOfStaff(m): 1:20pm On Feb 12, 2016
Allah's Rahma on you

eluquenson:
[img]http://insideislam.wisc.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/slamicPrayer.png[/img]
ADVANCE PREPARATION –Try and complete all needs and duties before the approach of salāh, or at least leave them in such a condition that would not distract the mind during the salāh. It is sinful to perform salāh in an uneasy distracted state of mind when one is able to avoid it. A distracted mind also refers to performing salāh when in need of relieving oneself or of even passing ‘wind’ (i.e. flatulence). In fact, if such an acute need does occur during the salāh, the salāh should be terminated and only resumed once at ease (irrespective of whether, by doing so, the salāh with congregation is missed or not).5

A METICULOUS WUDU – Perform a thorough wudu maintaining the fard, sunnah and mustahab aspects. Utilise a moderate amount of water and desist from all worldly talk. Involvement in such talk ruins the spirituality of the wudu totally. Remember! The key to salāh is wudu. So, a better wudu will surely lead to a better salāh.

SWITCH THE MIND OFF –The stepping stone to an attentive salāh is to ensure one commences it with a tranquil and relaxed mind. To achieve this, try and be seated in the Musjid (or the place of salāh) before time and recite a little amount of zikr. Just as how the blades of the fan continue to rotate well after the switch is turned off, so too is the effect of all activities on one’s mind. Coming early for salāh will also secure the good fortune of performing the salāh with the first takbīr (takbīr ūlā) which is extremely meritorious.

CLEAR THE AREA – Perform the salāh away from any distractions such as the T.V, radio, nasheeds which are playing, discussions of people, noise etc., as these naturally distract and divert the mind during the salāh. If possible, try to perform salāh on a plain printed musalla instead of a heavily designed one. Otherwise, one would be concentrating on the designs and counting of the domes and minarets instead of counting the number of rakats.

TIPS – Some Úlama have recommended a simple though effective technique to achieve concentration. In every posture of salāh, one should meditate on only three things. These are: (1) My Allah is watching me, (2) My Allah is listening to me, and (3) My Allah is aware of me. With this frame of mind, one should recite the various tasbīhāt, qirat etc. of the salāh. Those who are well versed in Arabic should ponder over the meanings of the verses while others should try to learn the meanings of a few sūrahs, especially Sūrah Fātihah, since it is recited most often. Many of us have our set sūrahs for a 2, 3 and 4 rakat salāh. Hence, on completion of Sūrah Fātihah, before even thinking and realising what sūrah to choose and recite, we are already half way through these sūrahs. In this case, we should recite other sūrahs such as Sūrah Yasin, Tabarak etc. Pronouncing the letters loud enough as to hear it yourself (but not loud enough as to disturb others) is also extremely useful in focusing one’s attention in the salāh. We should also try to perfect the outer postures of salāh including the focusing of one’s gaze in each posture. If greater concentration is achieved by closing the eyes during the salāh, then in this case only, one may close the eyes.6 However, the ideal would be to achieve this concentration by keeping them open as was the Sunnah (practice) of our Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam.

THE YAWNS... – More often than not, yawning is the result of one being absent-minded during the salāh. Nonetheless, if it does occur, one should first try to suppress it (by closing the mouth). If one is unable to do so, then the right hand should be used to cover the mouth, if one is in the standing position. Otherwise the left hand should be used if in any other posture of the salāh.

NOTE: It is makrūh to use the hand to cover the mouth when yawning during salāh if one is able to suppress it by doing so with the mouth only.7 Sounds such as ‘Ha...’ etc. should not be uttered while yawning as this has been prohibited in the Ahadith.8

FIDDLING – The most obvious and apparent sign of an inattentive mind is that of fiddling and fidgeting. Saeed Ibn Musayyib رحمه الله, a great Tābi’ī, once saw a man who was fidgeting with his beard during the salāh and commented, “If this man was attentive, his body would have (also) being motionless.”9 If the mind is alert and attentive, subsequently, the physical body also becomes composed and tranquil. Let us avoid all unnecessary movement during the salāh.

SHORT AND SWEET – Initially, concentration should be developed by performing shorter (not quick and hasty) salāhs while trying to focus in each posture. Once the desired concentration is achieved, one may then perform lengthier rakats of salāh. This was the practice of many of our pious elders.

A GROSS MISUNDERSTANDING – A common understanding of an attentive salāh is that, one should be totally absorbed and oblivious of one’s surroundings during the salāh. This is incorrect. Experiencing such a condition is simply a gift from Allah and is in no way a requirement of salāh. In fact, at times this may even be a subtle scheme from Shaytan to sway us away from mustering up courage and attempting to perform a perfect salāh. Since, one would think that such a salāh is out of my reach and impossible for me to perform, so I’ll just carry on with my old inattentive one. Nevertheless, an attentive salāh simply means that one should be aware and realise what one is doing during the course of the salāh. For example, one should be conscious of the fact that now I am reciting Sūrah Fatiha, or now I am going into ruku, sajda etc. this much is sufficient when initially correcting our salāh.

If still you have problem concentrating...

If after carefully practicing on these points, one still does not achieve the desired concentration, one should not be disillusioned. Remember that concentration comes through practice while salāh has to be performed in all circumstances, with or without concentration. Shaytan will find this to be an ideal opportunity to sway us away from salāh with thoughts such as, ‘what good is your salāh if your mind is wandering all over the place?’ The Úlama state that our effort is to ‘try’ to concentrate in the event of not having achieved concentration. Allah wants to see our sincere attempt in developing that better salāh. If one entertains stray thoughts during the salāh, repent sincerely and make a resolute intention of improving the salāh. In addition to this brief compilation, the following books should also be consulted:


Source: Tazkiyatips

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by eherbal(m): 2:24pm On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakhallah Khaira.so much to learn.so little time.

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by chakula: 3:50pm On Feb 12, 2016
Alhammdulillah being a Muslim. Nice write up, may Allah reward you ameen.

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by AishyWemsy(f): 4:59pm On Feb 12, 2016
Jazakallahu Khairan for the piece, a good reminder. May Allah increase in knowledge

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by geniune(m): 6:05pm On Feb 12, 2016
[color=#000099][/color]MAY ALLAH TAALA GUIDE US TO THE RIGHTPATH/AMIN.THANKS

1 Like

Re: The Secret Ingredients To A Better Salāh by dyfatai(m): 10:56pm On Feb 13, 2016
jazakallah khair OP

1 Like

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