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Importance of Khushoo’
Allaah (swt) says: 
“Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer
their salaah (prayers) with Khushoo’.” [Qur’an 23:1-2]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said:
“The first thing to be lifted up (taken away) from this
ummah will be khushoo’, until you will see no one
who has khushoo’.”
Narrated Hudhayfah (rad):
“The first thing of your religion that you will lose is
khushoo’, and the last thing that you will lose of your
religion is salaah. There may be a person praying who
has no goodness in him, and soon you will enter the
mosque and not find anyone who has khushoo’.” (al-
Madaarij, 1/521)
What is Khushoo’
Khushoo’ means all of the following:
 calmness, serenity, tranquility, dignity,
humility and submission
Source of Khushoo:
Fear of Allaah and the awareness that He is
always watching.
Fruits of Khushoo’
Allaah (swt) mentions the al-khaashi’eena wa’l-
khaashi’aat (men and women who possess Khushoo’) as
being among those who are chosen and who will receive
forgiveness and a great reward [Quran 33:35]
Khushoo’ makes prayer easier. Allaah (swt) says: “And
seek help in patience and al-salaah, and truly it is
extremely heavy and hard except for al-khaashi’oon
[Qur’an 2:45]. The meaning is that the burden of prayer
is heavy indeed, except for those who have
khushoo’. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/125)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: ‘… and my joy has been made in salaah.’ Only
through Khushoo’ can a person find comfort and joy in
salaah.
Improving Khushoo’ – Prior to
Salaah
 Plan your daily activities around the salawaat
 Satisfy your physical needs prior to salaah
 Make a thorough wudu
 Dress in a manner befitting the One you are going to worship
 Arrive before the Fard salaah to perform at least 2 rak’ah, to ensure your
mind is fully focused on ‘Ibaadah
 Pray your salawaat behind a sutrah
 Do not talk much with people before the salaah – contemplate the
greatness of the Rabb you are going to worship
 Remember the salaf and the manner in which they performed their salaah
 Consider the fact that this could very well be your last salaah – how would
you like your last salaah to be performed ?
Improving Khushoo’ –
During Salaah
 Realize the meaning of the phrase ‘Allaahu Akbar’ – Allaah is indeed greater
than all other matters that occupy our mind and thoughts
 Strive to attain the status of Ihsaan in worship – to pray as if you see Allaah,
and if you cannot then know that He is seeing you.
 Fold your hands (right hand over the left) and look at the position of sujood –
this posture of humility reminds us of our lowly status in front of our Creator
 Be tranquil during salaah and complete each position with perfection
 SLOW DOWN your recitation of both the Qur’an and the various adhkaar during
salaah
 Remember that Allaah answers you as you recite Surah Fatihah
Improving Khushoo’ –
During Salaah (…contd.)
 Memorize and read various surah’s from the Qur’an (there is
more to the Qur’an than Surah Ikhlaas and Surah al-Kawthar
)
 Learn multiple adhkaar from the Sunnah, for each position
in the salaah – alternating between them will help prevent a
mechanical recitation
 Never look up or around during salaah
 Avoid praying on excessively decorated prayer rugs
 Make du’aa during the sujood – remember however, that all
du’aas must be in Arabic during the Fard salawaat
Improving Khushoo’ – After
Salaah
 Do not move from your position immediately after salaah – the
angels pray for you until you move away or lose your wudu
 Recite your tasbeeh and other adhkaar
 Make du’aa for all your needs (and always pray for your
parents)
 Pray the sunan and nafl salawaat (at the very least, pray the
sunan mu’akkadah)
 Evaluate your salaah
 Look forward to the next salaah