How Can I Maintain Focus and Concentration in My Prayer?
Answered by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Question
How can I maintain focus and concentration in my prayer?
Answer
In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, his Family, his Companions, and those who follow him.
Khushu‘
Focusing and having khushu‘ (humility and attentiveness) in prayer is crucial, as it leads to the full attainment of its rewards. On the other hand, those who lack khushu‘ in their prayer do not receive its full reward, even though their prayer may still be valid. Allah (Most High) says:
“And stand in true devotion to Allah.” [Quran, 2:238]
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said:
“A person may leave (the prayer), and only a tenth, a ninth, an eighth, a seventh, a sixth, a fifth, a fourth, a third, or half of his prayer has been written for him.” [Abu Dawud]
The Status of Khushu’ in Prayer
Some scholars, such as Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, consider khushu‘ to be obligatory and a condition for the validity of the prayer. This is one opinion in the Shafi‘i school. [Shatta, I‘anat al-Talibin]
In Hashiyat al-Jamal, it is mentioned that there are three opinions regarding khushu‘:
– It is a sunna (recommended), which is the most widely accepted ruling.
– It is a pillar (essential component).
– It is a condition for the prayer’s validity.
The correct opinion is that it is a sunna. [Jamal, Hashiyat al-Jamal]
Practical Steps to Attain Khushu‘ in Prayer
Several methods can help a person develop khushu‘ in their prayer:
– Remembering that you are standing before the King of all kings, the One who knows all secrets and even what is hidden. You are conversing with Him directly.
– Contemplating that Allah may reject the prayer if you do not fulfill His right of worship with proper attentiveness and humility.
– Performing the prayer with tranquility, as calmness and stillness help one achieve khushu‘. [Haytami, Tuhfat al-Muhtaj]
Additional Methods
– Prolonging the bowing (ruku’) and prostration (sujood).
– Reflecting on the meanings of what is recited, as Allah (Most High) says: “Do they not then reflect on the Quran?” [Quran, 4:82].
– Reflecting on the meanings of the recitation enhances khushu‘ and fulfills the purpose of the prayer.
– Contemplating the meanings of the adhkar (remembrances) recited during prayer, just as one reflects on the Quranic verses.
– Keeping your gaze fixed on the place of prostration, as this is conducive to increasing khushu‘. [Saqqaf, Tarshih al-Mustafidin]
Conclusion
Imam ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad (Allah have mercy on him) said:
“The prayer has an outward form and an inner reality. Prayer is not complete nor perfected without establishing both. The outward form includes standing, recitation, bowing, prostration, and other external actions of the prayer. The inner reality includes khushu‘, the presence of the heart, perfect sincerity, reflection, and understanding of the meanings of the recitation, glorifications, and the like.” [Haddad, al-Nasa’ih al-Diniyya]
These are some of the key aspects mentioned by the scholars in their works to help attain khushu‘ in prayer. The greatest factor is to be mindful and avoid heedlessness.
We ask Allah to grant us khushu‘, and the sweetness of remembering and conversing with Him.
Allah is the bestower of success and guidance to the straight path.
[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Dr Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib is a prominent Islamic scholar from Yemen born in Shibam, Hadhramaut, in 1976. He received his degree in Shari‘a from Al-Ahqaf University, a master’s degree from the Islamic University of Beirut, and a PhD in Usul al-Din from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
He studied under great scholars such as Shaykh al-Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad, Shaykh Fadl Ba‘ fadl, Habib Salim al-Shatiri, Habib Ali Mashhur bin Hafeez, and others. He has served as the Director of Publications at Dar al-Fiqh, the former Deputy Director of Cultural Relations at Al-Ahqaf University, a former Assistant for Employee Affairs at Atiyah Iron Company, a researcher at the Sunna Center affiliated with the Dallah al-Baraka Foundation, and a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch.
Currently, he is a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch, teaches traditionally through the Ijaza system at Dar al-Fuqaha in Turkey, supervises the Arabic department at Nur al-Huda International Institute (SeekersGuidance), and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Manuscript House in Istanbul.
His works include “The Efforts of Hadhramaut Jurists in Serving the Shafi‘i School,” “Contributions of Hadhramaut Scholars in Spreading Islam and its Sciences in India,” “Hada’iq al-Na‘im in Shafi‘i Fiqh,” in addition to verifying several books in Fiqh, history, the art of biographies, and Asanid (chains of narration).
