Do you ever feel lazy when it’s time to pray? Or do you find yourself praying mindlessly, rushing through Salah without true focus?
This happens when Salah becomes just another task on our to-do list, rather than a sacred connection with our Creator. While prayer is an obligation, it’s not meant to be a mere formality. Your tongue may be reciting the words, but if your heart and mind are elsewhere, you’re missing the essence of Salah.
Salah is meant to detach you from the world and bring you closer to Allah. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and find peace in His presence. Allah does not need our prayers—we need Him. Our five daily prayers are not a burden; rather, they are a means of lightening the burdens of this Dunya (worldly life).
The Purpose Behind Five Daily Prayers
Have you ever wondered why we pray five times a day? I used to ask this question myself until I read Reclaim Your Heart by Yasmin Mogahed. She writes, “Before you can fill any vessel, you must first empty it. The heart is a vessel. And like any vessel, the heart too must be emptied—before it can be filled. One can never hope to fill the heart with God, so long as the vessel is full of other than Him.”
To keep our hearts free from worldly distractions, we need to empty them regularly. This is where our five daily prayers come in. Each prayer is an opportunity to detach from worldly affairs and reconnect with our Creator. But if we rush through Salah without focus, how can we truly benefit from it?
Salah is meant to disconnect you from the world. It is meant to be a conversation between you and your Lord. Remember, Allah doesn’t need us, we need Allah. These obligatory prayers are not a burden on us, but are meant to take the burden of this world off our shoulders.
The good news is that you can transform your prayer experience. It takes effort, but even small changes can make a big difference. Here are some practical ways to improve your Salah.
Ways to Improve Salah:
Prepare for Salah with Intention
- Wear clean, comfortable clothing as if you are meeting someone important—because you are meeting your Lord.
- If possible, renew your Wudu (ablution) for each prayer, even if you’re still in a state of purity.
- Keep your prayer space clean and distraction-free.
- Consider creating a dedicated prayer corner in your room to make the experience more special.
Increase Focus and Concentration
- Choose a quiet place with minimal distractions.
- Keep yourself in check throughout Salah. If your mind drifts, gently bring your focus back. As soon as you realize you are distracted, immediately make an effort to concentrate again. Don’t overthink if you get distracted it’s okay, what matters is the effort you make to concentrate again. Allah Almighty loves sincere effort.
- Pray slowly and deliberately—there is no need to rush. Allah controls time; give your prayer the presence it deserves. Praying slowly and calmly will add Barakah to your time. Try it!!!
- Learn the meaning of the verses you recite. Understanding what you’re saying will make your prayers more meaningful.
- Try reciting different Surahs to add some variation. Memorize some short Surahs and recite them in your prayers. This will not only help you memorize some part of the Quran but also help you concentrate better. We usually recite the same Surahs, so it’s easier for us to go in autopilot mode and lose focus.
Strengthen Your Connection with Allah
- Talk to Allah outside of prayer, just as you would confide in a close friend. The more you talk to Allah the more you will develop God consciousness which will help you to be in constant connection with Allah and you will struggle less while praying.
- You can also study the names and attributes of Allah to get to know Him better. If you don’t know where to start, you can read my article on “How to reflect on the names and attributes of Allah”.
- Replace distractions with beneficial habits. If something repeatedly weakens your spirituality, work towards reducing it.
- When it comes to distractions, music is one of the biggest. It’s not only a distraction, but it’s also a sin. Try replacing it with Islamic reminders or Quran recitations. You’ll find that by doing so, you will not only find it easier to concentrate in your prayer, but you may also develop a closer connection to your Lord. (I’ll share more on my journey in a future post, In Sha Allah!)
Develop a Mindful Approach to Salah
- Prioritize Salah and plan your day around it, not the other way around.
- Before beginning prayer, take a moment to sit, breathe, and mentally prepare. Remind yourself that Allah is watching and listening to you.
- Imagine each prayer as your last. If you knew this would be your final prayer, how would you perform it?
- Occasionally change your prayer spot. A fresh setting may help improve focus and engagement.
Work on Your Heart Beyond Salah
- Strive to stay away from sins, as they cloud the heart and affect the quality of your worship.
- Increase acts of remembrance (dhikr) throughout the day to keep your heart connected to Allah.
- Be patient with yourself. Achieving khushu (deep concentration) in Salah is a journey, not an instant transformation.
Salah is a gift, not a chore. It is meant to provide peace and strengthen our connection with Allah. If you feel disconnected, don’t be discouraged. Start by making small, conscious changes, and gradually, you’ll notice the difference in your prayer experience. May Allah help us all improve our Salah and draw closer to Him. Ameen!
