The Methods of Dhikr (3/6)

The ability to concentrate in Prayer may be improved by undertaking adequate psychological, mental and physical preparation before the Prayer and by utilising certain techniques whilst performing the Prayer. Below we discuss some of them:

i.  Psychological and Mental Preparation

-The planning of your daily activities should revolve around the five daily Salat. [Surah al-Ma'arij, 70: 22-23.] Do not plan everything else and then try to fit Prayer into your busy schedule.

-Ensure that you are conversant with all the rules and regulations governing your Prayer. Research in depth the Qur’anic verses and ahadith relating to the virtues of Salat.

-Be punctual with your Prayer. [Surah an-Nisa, 4:103] Get into the habit of praying at the earliest hour. Do not procrastinate. The Prophet said, “the deed most loved by Allah is Prayer performed on time.” (Reported by Muslim.)

-Pray as much of your fard Salat in jama'a or congregation as is possible. [Surah al-Baqara, 2: 43.]

-Avoid praying in a state in which you are mentally and physically fatigued. [Surahan-Nisa, 4: 43]

-Rid your mind of all evil thoughts and ideas. [Surah al-Ma’un, 107: 4-6.]

-Keep your mind free of worldly worries and engagements.

-Plan what ayat / duas you are going to recite.

-If you do not understand Arabic learn the meaning of what you recite in your Prayer.

-Remind yourself that engaging in Prayer offers you an opportunity to release yourself from the pressures and tensions of this world. The Prophet has said that in Prayer was placed the comfort of his eyes. Therefore cherish the opportunity to remove the shackles and burdens of this world from your shoulders. [Surah al-Baqara, 2: 45.]

-Use your Prayer to remain focused on your mission in life to bring your entire being to serve only Allah.

-Use your Prayer as a source of strength, inspiration and enthusiasm for your life and activities.

ii. Physical Preparation

-Fulfill all your personal needs before you commence your Prayer, for example, thirst, hunger and calls of nature.

-Pray in a pure physical state. Perform your wudu with care and perfection. [Surah al-Maida, 5: 6.]

-Although the whole earth is a masjid or a place of worship, choose a place that is clean.

-Pray in an environment free of noise and one where there is no distraction.

-Adorn yourself with clean and respectable clothes for Allah has said: O Children of Adam, wear your best clothes at every place of worship. [Surah al-A’raf, 7:31.]

iii. Performing Your Prayer

-Assess your mental readiness for Prayer before its commencement, during the various postures with its attendant recitations, after each raka and ultimately at the end-Try to make improvements at each stage

-Pray with humility both in your mental state and in your physical manner. Pray with hope and awe, asking Allah for His mercy and forgiveness.

-Remind yourself continually that you are talking to the most important `Being' in your life -your Creator and Sustainer. He is in front of you. You are facing Him and you are involved in a dialogue with Him. [Surah al-Alaq, 96: 19.]

-Commence your Prayer by seeking Allah's help and protection from the influences of Shaytan. [Surah an-Nahl, 16: 98.]

-Lower your gaze while praying and do not allow the physical environment to distract you. Anas related that the Prophet said: `My dear son, be sure to avoid being distracted during Prayer, for, to become distracted while praying is a disaster.' (Reported by Tabarani.)

-Use a variety of Qur’anic verses and duas in your Prayer to achieve greater concentration and awareness.

-Adopt a whispering technique in your recitation. This will increase your ability to remain focused on what you are saying. [Surah al-Isra, 17:110.]

-As you recite the Qur’an, translate it into your own language so that your attention is held. As you concentrate upon the meaning and implications of the words, insha Allah, all thoughts of worldly ideas will disappear.

-On each occasion that you recite the Sifat or attributes of Allah in ruku and sajda, consider how indebted you are and how grateful you should be to Allah and express your true emotions.

-Utilise the occasion of sajda to make additional dua to Allah. The Prophet said: “A servant is nearest to his Lord when he is in sajda, so increase your supplication when in sajda.” (Reported by Muslim.)

-Make your Prayer of moderate duration so that you do not become physically and mentally tired but be aware that while in Prayer you must take your time praying.

-Give due regard to the proper performance of all the physical postures.

-Pray as if it is your last Prayer. The Messenger of God said: “When you stand up to pray, perform your prayer as if it were your last, do not say anything you will have to make excuses for tomorrow, and resolve to place no hope in what is in the hands of men.” (Reported by Ahmad.)

Performing your prayer in a satisfactory manner should lead to a radical change in the way you lead your daily life. Salat must be as the Qur’an states: “Surely, Salat prevents indecency and evil.” [Surah al-Ankabut, 29: 45.] Your improved and more disciplined life will in turn help the quality of your Prayer to increase even more. The two should feed one another and continuously reinforce each other.

Note that there is punishment for a Prayer not performed satisfactorily. It will be a witness against you rather than a witness for you on the Day of Judgment. However, the reward for a Prayer well performed is immeasurable. The Prophet said: “If a man performs two rakas of Salat without the distraction of any worldly thought, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Reported by Bukhari.)

iv. Tahajjud Salat

Even though it is not obligatory, try to establish Tahajjud Salat as part of your nightly activities. The Prophet said: “The best Prayer after the fard Prayer is the night Prayer.” (Reported by Muslim.)

One of the characteristics of the Ibadur Rahman or Servants of the Most Merciful, is that “they get up at night and perform Tahajjud Salat.” [Surah al-Furqan, 25: 64]

Qiyam al-layl or night vigil is a source of great spiritual energy. The Prophet has said:

“Keep up qiyam al-layl. It was the way of the virtuous who came before you, it draws you nearer to your Lord, atones for your sins, forbids you from evil and protects the body from sickness.” (Reported by Tirmidhi.)

“When a man wakes up his wife at night and they pray two rakas (units) together, they are written down among the men and women who remember Allah.” (Reported by Abu Dawud)

The Qur’an also commends the one who utilizes the early hours of each day to engage in remembrance of Allah: “Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of night prostrating himself or standing [in adoration] and who places his hope in the mercy of His Lord [like one who does not]? Say: ‘Are those equal -those who know and those who do not know?’ It is those who are endowed with understanding that receive admonition.” [Surah az-Zumar, 39:9]

(Continued)