Holding On To Your Salaah
As we move into Lockdown level 2, many restrictions will be eased. This means that we will be able to do more and our days will start to fill up. The downside here is that it will be difficult to remain consistent in Salaah. Even if we do remain consistent, it will be difficult to maintain the same level of focus since there might be other chores etc. on our minds. Considering this, this week, inshaAllah, we will be looking at a few ways on how we can maintain our Salaah, and our focus in Salaah.

How Can We Attain Maximum Benefit from Salaah?
Nabi S.A.W. is a perfect example of how and when Salaah should be offered. We take from his example four practical steps by which we can gain maximum benefit from Salaah: Engage, Connect, Submit and Make Dua. We will discuss the first two today and the remaining two tomorrow inshaAllah…

1. Engage
We should always focus on improving our relationship with Allah and the best way to do this is to engage in regular Salaah. Converse with Allah through your Duas and try to connect with Allah every day.

First and foremost, make sure you perform Salaah on time — no matter how busy you are — and do not miss any Fardh Salaahs, especially Fajr. A busy life may make Salaah harder, but Salaah makes a busy life easier! The five Fardh Salaahs should be our first step if we have not yet already established them daily.

Abu Huraira R.A. narrated that Allah’s Messenger S.A.W. said:

The first thing about which the people will be called to account out of their actions on the Day of Judgment is Salaah. Our Lord, the Exalted, will say to the angels – though He knows better: Look into the Salaah of My servant and see whether he has offered it perfectly or imperfectly. If it is perfect, that will be recorded perfect. If it is defective, He will say: See there are some optional Salaahs offered by My servant. If there are optional Salaah to his credit, He will say: Compensate the obligatory Salaah by the optional Salaah for My servant. Then all the actions will be considered similarly. [Sunan Abi Dawud]

2. Connect

Make Salaah deeper and more meaningful. We must try to concentrate and allow ourselves to enjoy a personal and proximate relationship with Allah. The best way to do that is to perform Salaah the way Nabi S.A.W. did — with khushu. Here are some simple tips we can incorporate in our Salaahs to build a stronger connection and attain maximum benefit, In sha Allah:

* When you stand to pray, remember who you are standing before and humble yourself in His presence. Pray as if it is your last Salaah. Imagine Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) standing before you and the angel of death behind you.

* Know that you are in control of your mind and body. Remain still, focus on the place of sujood and avoid thinking of worldly matters; the time of Salaah should be dedicated solely to focusing on your relationship with Allah.

* Reflect and ponder on every Ayah that you recite. This will help you concentrate on finding a personal meaning and help prevent your mind from drifting. The more you reflect, the more sincere your Salaah will become.

* Do not rush off from the Salaah mat when you have finished your Salaah. Take some time to reflect, recite the post-Salaah duas, embrace the moment of closeness to Allah and know that He is present and listening.