Patience and Gratitude

"Truly, therin are Ayat for every patient, thankful (person)." [Surah Ibrahim, Verse 5, Chapter/Juz 13]

What is our common reaction when we are afflicted with troubles and dilemmas? We whine and complain about how utterly impossible life is. These difficulties could be anything from mundane responsibilities to more serious problems such as delay in marriage, poverty, corruption, and etc. The instant remedy that we find useful (for some strange reason) is to nag and complain. I run far, far away from people who create major controversy behind everything. Basically, they are blaming others or situational factors for the mess in their lives, or the difficulties they face.

Patience has been prescribed in times of difficulty, and gratitude in times of prosperity, and together they are excellent for a person.

"Verily, all of the matter of the believer is amazing, for every decision that Allah decrees for him is good for him. If an affliction strikes him, he is patient and this good for him; if a bounty is given to him, he is thankful and this is good for him." [At-Tabari as cited in Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

33 Ways to Develop "Khushoo" in Prayers

Additional info on the topic of Khushoo and how to develop it can be read in my entry "Khushoo - Strengthening the Connection,"

Salaah (prayer) and Sabr (patience) go together. They are the weapons of a believer against all calamity. Prayer, however, is difficult because it calls for 100% sincerity of the heart, soul, and mind. Khushoo, in prayers, is a state of utmost devotion and concentration that one needs to develop within the heart and translate into thoughts, words, and actions to offer a 100% successful prayer. It is not simply the idea of completing the rituals of a prayer, but it is a method of instilling heartfelt emotion into the act of praying.

The Plot of Shaytaan (Satan) and Signs of Qayamat (Day of Judgment)

Shaytaan is on a lifelong motive to divert the believers from believing in, and submitting to One God i.e. Allah (swt). He attacks those who are the most devoted in towards Allah (swt), and who allot great importance to their prayers. Khushoo is born from the fear of Allah (swt), and fear does not mean negative feeling of terror but one's will to submit before the Omnipotent. The obvious sign of the Day of Judgment drawing close is the disappearance of Khushoo from prayers. A point worthy of being noted is that prayer itself will not disappear. People will continue to pray but their Khushoo would vanish. They would be merely performing the rituals, and not feeling the connection with their Lord. Shaytaan will be enjoying victory at this point.

Two Types of Khushoo

1- Khushoo of True Faith

It is a sincere state of utmost concentration and devotion that one feels inside the heart for his Creator. It translates naturally into a person's thoughts, words, and deeds.

2- Khushoo of Hypocrisy

It is a play that a person puts up to show to the world that he is sincere to his Lord. It is similar to cheating.

Ways to Develop Khushoo in Prayers

1. Prepare for Prayers
   *Listen to, and reply to the Azaan
   *Perform proper Wudu (ablution) and say Bismillah before you begin
   *Ensure that your cloths are clean and fragrant
   *Know in your mind that you are going to face the King of All Kings
   
   
2. Move at a Measured Pace During Prayer
   *Prophet (saww) said that a worst thief is one who steals from his prayers
   *Give Sujood and Rukuh their due time
   
   
3. Remember Death
   *Pray like it's your last prayer
   
   
4. Think and Interact with the Ayaat and Adhkaar
   *Recite the verses with full meaning
   *Do your homework of knowing the meaning before praying
   *Pause in between verses to ask for Paradise, for refuge from Satan
   
   
5. Pause at the End of Each Ayat
   It is Sunnah to pause between each Ayaah
   
   
6. Recite Slow and Beautifully
   *Recite beautifully but without adding a musical tune to it
   * Pronounce properly (improve Tajwid)
   
   
7. Know that Allah (swt) Responds
   *Have a firm conviction that Allah (swt) is hearing your words when you're reciting. He's aware of your presence and you should be aware of His.
   
   
8. Position the Sutraah (physical barrier object before you) Closeby
   *A Sutraah protects your vision from Shaytaan
   *Position it comfortably close enough to stop people from crossing over
   *It could be a purse (for ladies), a pillow, a bag, and etc.
   
   
9. Placing Right Hand over the Left
   *It's a position of submission - the folding of hands
   
   
10. Look at the Place of Prostration
    *When you look away, Allah (swt) looks away from you
    *Closing one's eyes is Makrooh, as mentioned in Hadith
    *Watch your finger when you raise it during Tashahhud
    
    
11. Varying Suraahs, Ayaahs, and Adhkaars
    *Build your collection of ayaahs and adhkaars by memorizing them
    *Recite them variably in your prayers
    *Just like you vary the combination of your jewelry, your menu of food, add variety to your prayer
    
    
12. Performance of Sajdah Tilawa
    *Perform the Sajdah Tilawa when it comes between an ayaah
    
    
13. Seek Refuge from Shaytaan (Khanzab, in particular)
    *Khanzab is a Shaytaan who particularly attacks during prayers
    *He works by bringing the most irrelevant of thoughts to your mind
    *"Did I lock the door?," "What should I cook for dinner?," and etc.
    *He also confuses and mizes up your count of Rakaah
    *Turn head to your left, recite Aa'uzubillahi minashaytaan irrajeem 3 times and blow air three times (dry spitting) to get rid of Khanzab
    
    
14. Seek Inspiration from Sahaabas (r.a.)
    *Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (r.a.) asked the companions to remove a spear from his body when he was deep in prayer. This was the intensity of his Khushoo, he felt no worldly feeling when he was in communion with Allah (swt)
    *Imam Zain al Abideen (r.a.) the grandson of Ali ibn Abi Talib (r.a.)'s facial color used to change when it was time for prayer from the fear and accountability of standing before the Lord of the Worlds.
15. Know the Advantages of Khushoo in Prayer
    
    
16. Offer Dua'a in Sujood
    *Learn the dua'as that can be recited in sujood
    
    
17. After-Prayer Adhkaar
    *They help preserve and reinforce the goodness of prayers
    
    
18. Remove Distractions
    *Pray in a place that is well lighted, airy, and comfortable
    *Avoid keeping distracting objects like printed fabric, cell phones, and etc. closeby
    
    
19. Avoid a Distracting Garment
    *Slippery, excessively shabby, short or tight garments should be avoided
    
    
20. No Prayer When Food is Served
    *If hungry, eat a little to satisfy the hunger before you pray
    
    
21. No Prayer When There's a Bathroom Need
    
    
22. No Prayer When Sleepy
    *Take a short nap if you're sleepy, so you can concentrate better
    
    
23. No Prayer Behind Someone Who's Talking
    
    
24. Not Occupying Oneself in Smoothing the Ground
    
    
25. Not Disturbing Others With Recitation
    
    
26. Not Turning Around During Prayer
    
    
27. Not Raising One's Gaze to the Heavens
    
    
28. Not Spitting in Front of Yourself
    *If something has to be spitted out, do so in a tissue or cloth and place between the feet
    
    
29. Stifle the Yawns
    Shaytaan enjoys and laughs when somebody yawns because it signifies being bored in prayer
    
    
30. Not Putting Hands on the Hips
    
    
31. Not Letting Clothes Hang Down
    
    
32. Do not Cover Face When Praying
    
    
33. Do Not Resemble Animals 
    *The posture during prostration should not resemble the sitting position of a dog, or the standing position of four-legged animals.