How to Concentrate on Salah

Last Updated: July 6, 2020 References Approved

Is it difficult for you to have focus in your prayers? Do you often make mistakes or become confused in prayer? Do you forget how many units you've prayed and end up repeating them? You might be disturbed by the devil, Shaytaan (Satan). Shaytaan tries to distract you from praying in an attempt to misguide you and deprive you of your good deeds.^{[1]
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Research source} It is important to have concentration in prayer because Allah rejects your prayer if you do not perform it with the presence of your mind.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:
Preparing to Pray

1
Identify the factors that distract you in your prayers, then try to eliminate them. For example, if you are always distracted by the noise outside of your house, go to the nearest Masjid (mosque) instead of praying in your own home. This is not necessary for women, as they are not supposed to attend the mosque. It is recommended that they try to limit the distractions or cut them off as much as they can.
2
Learn the meaning of prayer. Try to understand the exact meaning of the words that you are reciting. Think about the meaning as you recite the verses. This will definitely keep your mind focused on your prayer. What you are saying won't just be a bunch of Arabic words anymore; their deep and spiritual meaning will become apparent.
3
Try your best to pray together with other Muslims. In Islam, this is known as jama'ah. You will ultimately feel a sense of unity and belonging. Men might want to pray at the local Masjid with other brothers. Offer to shake their hands or even start a conversation with them. Try joining the after-prayer study group in which the Imam or knowledgeable people at the Masjid will teach you more about Islam.
4
Learn to perform your prayer according to the sunnah of our blessed Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet guides all of mankind and his example is perfect. Don't just do the bare minimum and only the obligatory acts or worship; go above and beyond the expectations by following the sunnah and performing optional acts.
- These include, for men, to cover their heads with a cap.
- Women should try increasing their Hijab length to be long enough to cover their hands.
5
Give your mind a break for a few minutes before praying. Take time out from your tasks and relax. Instill calmness in your mind. Prepare the mind by thinking about your upcoming salat. Remind yourself that Allah is waiting for your salat and will listen attentively to every word you say. Concentrate on the translation of what you are reciting. This will help ensure concentration during prayer.
6
Relieve yourself from your mental stresses. During your salah, you are communicating with Allah. After you pray you will be able get up as a more humble and peaceful person. This effect stimulates the mind to pay more attention to what you are doing.^{[2]
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7
Put on good clothing. You should dress in the same manner as you would be you to see a respected leader. The Qur'an says "Take your adornment at every place of worship.^{[3]
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Research source} Do not pray at the mosque in dirty or smelly clothing, as this is disliked.^{[4]
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8
Plan which surahs and du'as you are going to recite beforehand. Understand the meaning of the surahs and dua's. Learn them well so that you do not forget or misread them.
- Try to vary which surahs you recite during your salat, as this helps to keep them fresh and special.
9
Make the intention that you are praying to Allah Almighty and only for His sake. Focus on the nature of the prayer you are making. The clearer you are in your intention, the better your attention and concentration.
- Avoid thoughts such as praying for your own benefit, for showing others about the strength of your faith or to get your mind off things.
- Remember that completing the five daily prayers is an obligation for the simple reason that Allah has decided that this is best for us.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:
During the Prayer

1
Instill self-discipline. Stand upright with a softened heart. Think of your prayer as your last prayer^{[5]
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Research source}. Believe that Allah is by your side. Be as quiet and still as possible and try not to fidget. Unnecessarily fidgeting with something for a prolonged amount of time invalidates the prayer. Keep your eyes open and look down straight to where your head will be when you prostrate (sujood).
- Remember that self-discipline is a characteristic of all good Muslims and the discipline of salah should be extended throughout our lives to help us stay within Allah's limits.
2
Don't pray hastily. Perform every part of your prayer with care and in a focused manner. The Qur'an says that the successful believers are those "who are humble in their prayers".^{[6]
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- Pray every salah as if it is your last, for it may be just that.
3
Remember that you are meeting with nobody but Allah. Pay attention to your recitation. Pause at the end of each verse to reflect on it. Recite slowly; there should be no rush. Try to read with melody (tarteel), as the Qur'an says "recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones".^{[7]
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- Adopt your own way of reciting softly without disturbing others.
- Make the required movements slowly and carefully as the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has taught.
- When in prostration a beautiful feeling of complete submission to Allah's will should be experienced, which should be used to help develop a feeling of closeness to Allah.
4
Bring the mind back when ever you feel that focus has been lost. Recite the ta'wudh (seeking refuge with Allah from Satan):
- A'udhu billahi minash shaitaan nirrajeem
- Remember that shaitaan's mission is to separate us from Allah and that one of his favorite tactics to do this is to make us lose concentration in salah.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:
Completing Your Session of Prayer

1
Do not rush away immediately after the prayer. Sit for a while for contemplation, dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and du'a. Evaluate whether the prayer has softened your heart and brought you closer to Allah.
2
Implore Allah earnestly to accept your prayers. Recite the following supplication after the prayer:
- Allahumma a 'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husn 'ibadatika
- "O Allah, help me in remembering You, in thanking You and in worshiping You in the best way."
3
Recite Dhikr after salat as prescribed by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- Allahumma antas salamu wa minkas salam, tabarakta ya dhal jalaali wal Ikram (O Allaah You are the Flawless One, and from You comes peace and security. Exalted are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honour)
- Subhan Allah "Exalted is Allah" (33 times), Alhamdullilah "Praise to God" (33 times), Allahu Akbar "God is the Greatest" (34 times)
4
Seek refuge from the Hellfire, especially after Fajr and Maghrib. Recite Allahuma ajirnee min an-naar, which means "O Allah, save me from the Fire". The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite this seven times.
- Spending a few moments contemplating the reality of the Fire after each salat will help drive you towards the obedience of Allah.
- Remember that Allah has created the Fire for those that refuse to believe in Him or live their lives in the way that He has asked.
- Never forget that only Allah can save us from the Fire, so we must place all our hope in Him.
5
Send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon Him). Recite the Durood.
- Allah humma salli 'ala muhammadin wa'ala ali muhammadin,kama sal'layta 'ala ibraheema wa'ala ali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed. Allah humma baraka 'ala muhammadin wa'ala ali muhammadin, kama barak ta 'ala ibraheema wa 'ala ali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed
- O Allah, let Your Blessings come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
6
Make du'a (supplication). The best time to make du'a is after the obligatory prayers. Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah)?". He said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salah.^{[8]
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- Make dua praising Allah and thanking Him for His blessings, especially for bringing you to Islam.
- Ask Allah to strengthen your beliefs and for help with any specific difficulties you or your friends or others may be experiencing.
- Acknowledge any sins that you may have committed, promise not to repeat them and ask Allah for forgiveness.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:
Outside the Prayer

1
Don’t treat prayer as an isolated act of worship, but part of your being. Keep in mind that every aspect of your life will have an effect on your prayer (and vice versa).
- Organise your daily routine around the five salah times, rather than trying to squeeze them in when you can.
- Consider what other acts of worship will help you develop your relationship with Allah, for example, voluntary prayers, reciting the Qur'an, dhikr (remembrance of Allah), fasting and Islamic study. Work these into your schedule around the five salah.
- The stronger your daily routine of worship, the easier you will find it to concentrate during salah.
2
Keep your lifestyle pure and clean. Eating non-halal food, earning unlawful income, and committing sins take away the joy and concentration in prayer.
- Study Islam and do your best to understand the laws set by Allah in the Qur'an and Sunnah.
- Learn to control your worldly desires, which include love of wealth, greediness, lust and jealousy. Instead commit yourself to a life in the service of Allah.
3
Begin to schedule your work according to prayers. Let your employers or boss know that you need a few minutes break for prayers and a longer break on Friday noon (for Muslim brothers). Avoid night shift duty, if possible.
- If your employer refuses to accommodate you and no solution can be found, then it may be necessary to seek alternative employment.
4
Try to go to bed early so that you do not miss your morning prayer. Set an alarm for a few minutes before Fajr prayer so that you can make wudu and join the congregation at the masjid.
- Your last acts in the evening should be reciting Qur'an, including Surah al-Mulk, and making dua to Allah.
5
Too much engagement in worldly affairs hinders the mind from being attentive when in prayer. During prayer, your mind should be free of all unnecessary matters, such as gossip or music.
- "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction."^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

Is it true that Ramadan helps you focus better during prayers?

Community Answer

Yes, it does. You have to be committed to praying your best. Ramadhan helps a lot if you want to turn over a new leaf. Make a lot of dua and read ta'awwuth before beginning your Salaah; you yourself have to CHANGE. If you want a major change in your Salaah, then understand it and what you are saying, it WILL change your life completely.
Question

How can I tell if my Salat is spoiled?

Community Answer

First of all,it is the matter between us and Allah. It is wrong to say that your Salah is spoiled. Try your best in saying Salah, and pray for Allah to accept my Salah in better way. No doubt, HE is the most Merciful.
Question

How do I help my family member to pray if he doesn't want to?

Community Answer

You can't force him to pray. Instead, set a good example by praying yourself, and remember him in your prayers as well.
Question

How do I concentrate on it?

Community Answer

Pray as though you can see Allah and are having a friendly conversation with him.
Question

How can I avoid being lazy while praying?

Community Answer

The very first way of removing your laziness is doing ablution before prayer. The prophet (Muhammad) said, in Sahih Bukhari 'On the day of resurrection my followers will be called "Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalun from the trace of ablution. You will feel refreshed. Secondly, when you are standing for prayer, Allah is watching you it is like a conversation and your call to your lord. Allah says in Quran surah Baqarah "who believe in the unseen are steadfast in prayer". Thirdly, remind yourself that salah (prayer) helps in controlling blood pressure.
Question

How do I stop swearing while I pray?

Community Answer

If you feel that you are going to swear, ask Allah to protect you from Shaytan the cursed one.
Question

What should I do if the imam at my mosque prays Salat very quickly while in Jamaat?

Ayyat Khurram

Community Answer

If he is praying quickly, he is praying it wrong. Try to tell him to pray slowly.
Question

What do I do if I told my friend to stop swearing and she wont stop?

Community Answer

You are not responsible for your friend and cannot make her do anything. You can tell her it makes you uncomfortable and you don't want to be around her if she's going to swear.
Question

Is watching cartoons good or bad? Is watching movies of prophets good ?

Community Answer

You shouldn't waste too much time on cartoons because the Day of Judgment might be close and we never know when the hour will strike.
Question

How do I help my husband to pray if he doesn't want to do it at all?

Community Answer

Warn your husband about Allah subahanawatala’s punishment for those that don’t perform prayers (or don’t perform them properly).

Warnings

Prayer without concentration may not be accepted.

Thanks!
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The most important thing in Islam is that prayer is a mandatory duty towards Allah, who created us and everything around us and not just an activity is done only on weekends and during auspicious days alone.

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