Khushoo eBook Snippet

30 TOP 

TIPS 

FOR ATTAINING 

KHUSHOO 

IN PRAYER 

1

TIPS, TRICKS 

AND TOOLS FOR 

YOUR DEEN 

.COM 

[30 Top Tips For Attaining Khushoo’ in Prayer] 

Copyright © [Deenspiration] [11/06/2016] 

All rights reserved. 

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, 

in any form, or by any means (electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the 

prior written permission of the author. 

Should you require a fully print-ready file for the use of distribution on behalf of an educational institute 

or similar organization, contact admin@deenspiration.com. 

About Deenspiration 

“Deenspiration is a platform dedicated to providing simple and practical tips, tricks and 

tools for your Deen, helping you to worship better and become closer to Allah (swt). 

The platform consists of an audio podcast and a blog, where the host, Usman, brings 

on a number of influential guests from around the world to share their gems, wisdoms, 

advice and inspiring insights on a variety of topics. 

/deenspiration 


@MyDeenspiration 


From eBooks (like this one), to free guides and worksheets, articles, videos and more, 

Deenspiration hopes to provide you with easy-to-follow steps for improving in many 

aspects of your worship. The audio podcast serves as a perfect source of on-the-go 

inspiration, ideal for listening whilst out and around, at the gym, while travelling, or even 

while cooking in the kitchen. With a balance of light heartedness, humour, as well as 

valuable and powerful content, the deenspiration podcast is perfect for those looking 

for some weekly spiritual pick-me-ups. 

Find out more at www.deenspiration.com 

2 www.deenspiration.com 

3

About the Author 

Usman is the host of the Deenspiration podcast and blog. With his passion for Islam, 

mixed with a lively personality and creative media skills, his aim is to collaborate with 

talented and influential Muslims from around the world to provide simple, yet powerful 

and engaging tools through which others can improve and enjoy their practice of Islam. 

Contributors 

A great deal of gratitude and prayers go out to the following guest writers who contributed 

to this eBook by providing their top Khushoo’ tips—may they be blessed in this life 

and the next: 

• Mifrah Mahroof & Maheen Malik - Muslim Life Hackers Podcast 

• Sohaib Saeed- Quranica 

• Alima Ashfaq - Women of Ilm 

• Sumaira Zaheer - Muslimah Mommy 

• Belal Khan - Leechon 

• Mohammed Faris - Productive Muslim 

• Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar - Islamic Self Help 

• Shahbaz Mirza - Ramadan Legacy 

• Halima El Khurghali - Quran Rehab 

• Omar Esa - Nasheed Artist 

• Omar Usman - Fiqh of Social Media 

• Abdul Azeem Climie - Pathways to Islam 

• Kate Hepburn - Healthy Muslimah 

• Shaykh Sajid Umar 

• Moutasem Al-Hameedy - Rashidoon 

• Zakia Usmani - Believer’s Path 

Contents 

How to use this eBook.............................................................................................. 8 

Introduction: Khushoo’ and it’s importance............................................................ 9 

BEFORE THE PRAYER.......................................................................................10 

Summary...............................................................................................................11 

Perfect your wudu...............................................................................................12 

Wear comfortable clothes..................................................................................14 

Prepare for the special occasion...................................................................... 16 

Get rid of those distractions............................................................................. 18 

Pray on time........................................................................................................ 20 

Switch them off....................................................................................................22 

Make sure you feel awesome............................................................................24 

Relax......................................................................................................................26 

Perfect your intentions....................................................................................... 28 

Remember death.................................................................................................30 

Destroy Shaytan...................................................................................................32 

Pray at the Masjid...............................................................................................34 

Bonus tip..............................................................................................................36 

DURING THE PRAYER......................................................................................38 

Summary...............................................................................................................39 

Forget the world.................................................................................................40 

Recite properly....................................................................................................42 

Ponder and reflect upon the words.................................................................44 

[ Click on the subheadings to skip to content ] 


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Contents 

Contents 

Change things up a little...................................................................................46 

Take it easy... it’s not a race!.............................................................................48 

Cherish those special moments........................................................................50 

Have a conversation with Allah........................................................................52 

Think of the rewards for praying......................................................................54 

Beautify your prayer...........................................................................................56 

Fall in love with your Creator...........................................................................58 

Be humble in front of Allah.............................................................................. 60 

Let go of your doubts....................................................................................... 62 

Train your brain to focus!...................................................................................64 

Bonus Tip.............................................................................................................66 

For the teens.....................................................................................................86 

For new Muslims...............................................................................................88 

Closing words....................................................................................................90 

What to do next................................................................................................91 

SPONSORS............................................................................................................92 


AFTER THE PRAYER...........................................................................................68 

Summary...............................................................................................................69 

Dhikr for the soul................................................................................................70 

Make Du’a............................................................................................................72 

Pray even more...................................................................................................74 

Hold yourself to account...................................................................................76 

Keep Deen’ing all day....................................................................................... 78 

BONUS SECTION................................................................................................80 

Summary.............................................................................................................. 81 

For the Mammas!................................................................................................82 

For the 9-5s / Entrepreneurs.............................................................................84 



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How To Use This eBook 

Well done for downloading / picking up this book! You’re here because you recognized 

a lack of tranquillity and peace in your prayer and you need some help, right? Well, 

you’re definitely in the right place! This eBook was designed to provide you with some 

valuable tips, tricks and tools to help you on your way, so you’re sure to find some help 

in here - InshaAllah. 

It’s important to note that this eBook does not provide miracle cures for a lack of 

Khushoo’, nor is it extremely in-depth or complex in nature, but rather provides simple 

and actionable tips and tricks that you can implement as soon as you finish reading. 

Here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of this eBook: 

Take is easy 

There are a number of tips in here, some which you may already be implementing dayto- 

day, and others that you’ve yet to try. The key is to do as much as you can without 

overwhelming yourself. The path to attaining Khushoo’ is a lifetime journey, so don’t feel 

disappointed if you cannot achieve it all at once. This eBook has been designed in such 

a way that it’s easy to dip in and out to refresh your memory on the tips, so be sure to 

keep it amongst your collection in order that it may benefit you when you need it most. 

Complete the Khushoo Exercise Worksheet 

Accompanied with eBook is a useful downloadable worksheet with an exercise for you 

to complete once you’ve learned the tips from this eBook. Although this is optional, it’s 

worth giving it a try to help you track and engage with your levels of Khushoo’ in prayer 

over a period of time. You can print and complete it as many times as you wish. If you 

missed it, visit www.deenspiration.com/khushootracker 

Listen to the podcast episodes 

For the purpose of easy reading, this eBook has been kept short and sweet. To 

compliment it, the eBook has also been brought to life through 4 episodes on the 

Deenspiration podcast - found primarily on iTunes (use the ‘Podcasts’ app if you have an 

iPhone), SoundCloud and Stitcher. Simply search for ‘Deenspiration’ in whichever of 

these apps you prefer to find the episodes. You can also find the podcast episodes at 

www.deenspiration.com/podcast 

Many of the guests within this eBook who’ve provided their top tips have also spoken 

on the episodes to elaborate on their tips and provide further advice, inspiration and 

take- home gems. There’s a lot more to gain from these episodes than what is in the 

eBook, so be sure not to miss out on these! Subscribing to the podcast will also give 

you access to all future episodes containing tips and tricks with special guests. 

Introduction 

What is Khushoo’? 

The term is often used when referring to Salah. Its many possible translations include 

tranquillity, humility, calmness, serenity, and submission. Ultimately, it describes the state 

that one desires to achieve when praying. 

Ibn al-Qayyim (may God be pleased with him) said: 

“The khushoo of true faith is when the heart feels aware and humble before the 

greatness and glory of Allah, and is filled with awe, fear, and shyness, so that the 

heart is utterly humbled before Allah and broken, as it were, with fear, shyness, love 

and the recognition of the blessings of Allah and its own sins.” [Kitab Al-Ruh] 

The Importance of Khushoo’ in Prayer 

The fact that prayer was gifted to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) by 

Allah SWT in the Heavens, unlike other acts of worship which were obligated on Earth, 

shows the extreme importance of prayer. To add to this, in a hadith reported by Imams 

Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nasa'i, and Al-Hakim, the Prophet (peace be upon him) also 

taught us that prayer will be the first thing that we’ll be taken to account for on the Day 

of Judgement. 

In the Qur’an, Khushoo’ is associated with success (i.e. forgiveness and the reward of 

Paradise). Allah SWT says: 

“Successful indeed are the believers, They who are during their prayer humbly 

submissive” - [Qur’an - 23:1-2] 

Allah SWT also tells us in Qur’an that the Believing men and women who have Khushoo’ 

in prayer are among those whom He has promised forgiveness and a great reward 

(see Qur’an - 33:35). 

If the prayer is this important, would it not then be wise to ensure that we perform it 

correctly, striving to be among those whom Allah SWT has described as being successful 

and worthy of His Unlimited Mercy, and His Paradise? 

In another verse, Allah SWT says: 

“And seek help in patience and al-salah (the prayer), and truly it is extremely heavy 

and hard except for al-Khashi’oon...” [Qur’an: 2:45]. 

This also suggests that Khushoo’ is something to be sought after; an important component 

of a complete and rewarding prayer, and that attaining this state makes the prayer easier 

for us due to the connection with our Lord and certainty of His rewards. 


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BEFORE 

THE 

PRAYER 

SUMMARY 

The importance of preparation 

The first section of this eBook, rather than providing tips for attaining Khushoo’ within 

the prayer itself, focuses on a very vital component of our overall ability to attain 

Khushoo’ once we have entered into the spiritual realm of the prayer— the preparation! 

Sports champions look impressive on TV, but it’s the hours of blood sweat and tears 

that go into that ultimate performance which gives them a much higher chance of 

winning the most prestigious prize. 

Although it has been appointed five times per day, the Salah for us is the pinnacle of 

each and every day of our lives. It is the championship moment, a most honourable 

stage, and the prize is worth more than our imaginations can fathom. It only makes 

sense, therefore, that we take our preparations leading up to these moments very seriously. 

When our Lord calls us to stand before Him to pray, we have received a Divine 

invitation greater than all that this world has to offer, but without being “in the zone”, 

without having prepared, we are sure to lose our chances of reaping the rewards of 

this honourable meeting. 

As you read through this section, you’ll pick up some simple and effective tips to 

help you set your mind, body and heart right before you commence the prayer. 

The following sections thereafter will cover some of the things we can do within the 

prayer itself to send our souls into a spiritual bliss, as well as how to maximise the 

moments after the prayer has ended to remain connected to our Lord. 

Click here to listen to the podcast 

episode for this section of the ebook. 


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1 

Perfect your wudu 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever performs ablution in 

an excellent manner, then his sins will depart from his body even from 

beneath his fingernails.” [Muslim] 

It starts all the way back here! Believe it or not, our Khushoo’ can be affected long 

before we even stand to pray. If your last prayer had no Khushoo’, ask yourself how 

well your wudu was performed. 

Many of us forget that performing wudu (ablution) is actually an act of worship, and 

therefore don’t take its performance seriously. The act of wudu is like a key to the 

Salah, and therefore the level of devotion and concentration you have when washing can 

directly impact your ability to attain true Khushoo’ during prayer. The act of wudu is 

sacred and was ordered by Allah SWT in the Qur’an—it should be taken seriously! 

Too often we see people performing wudu very fast, splashing water carelessly, and 

perhaps even missing some essential components in order to make the wudu complete, 

and therefore rendering their wudu invalid. It’s also very common to see people talking 

to each other when performing wudu and not paying very much attention. This is wrong 

and could be a real Khushoo’ buster! 

Many of us also forget the immense rewards and blessings that come as a result of 

performing wudu. Imagining your sins falling as you perform wudu and realising that 

you’re about to stand before Allah SWT can elevate your mood and spiritually prepare 

you for your upcoming meeting with Him. 

How To Implement This Tip 

• Make an intention to perform wudu —get in the zone! 

• Understand what you’re about to do and the rewards involved. 

• Remember that with each drop of water, your sins are being washed off! 

• Perform the wudu slowly, with care, and use as little water as you can. 

• Realise that your wudu is preparation to stand in front of the Lord of the Worlds. 

Let it cool you, purify you and spiritually awake you! 

• Do your utmost best to NOT speak to others around you when performing wudu. 

Remember, it’s an act of worship. Focus! Catch up with friends later. 

Bonus Tip 

Try to learn wudu properly, according to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad 

(peace be upon him), and also the rulings pertaining to it, i.e. the essential 

requirements of wudu vs the Sunnah and recommended actions. This way, 

you’ll be sure to never miss a vital component and will perform the perfect 

wudu each time. As an added bonus, using tools such as the Siwak / toothstick 

(an act which is a highly emphasised Sunnah) while performing wudu will 

get you a lot of extra rewards, and not to mention, fresh breath! 


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2 

Wear comfortable clothes! 


Make sure that your clothes: 

• Are loose enough to allow for easy movement (super tight clothes are disliked). 

• Are of the right size/length to cover your body appropriately. 

• Don’t have anything on them that will cause you to itch, fidget or constantly 

have to fix them while praying. 

• Are clean enough to pray in and are free of any bad smells, so they do not 

distract you or the person next to you! (hint: smoking causes an awful smell!) 

• As a bonus, are super cosy! When clothes are extra cosy, they can make 

positions such as Ruku’, Sujood and sitting much more pleasant and relaxing, 

adding to the feeling of peace and tranquillity. 

“O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) 

while praying...” [7:31] 

Clothes. We wear them everyday at different times, for various reasons and to serve 

different purposes. No matter what types of clothes we wear, one thing’s for sure: we 

always try to ensure that we are comfortable! Can you imagine playing sports in a tight 

fitted suit, or wearing a thick woolly jumper out in the hot summer sun? It would feel 

awkward and seriously uncomfortable, right? 

It’s not until we find the perfect outfit to wear for a particular situation that we feel 

just right, and so the same goes for our prayer. Remember, every little effort helps 

when aiming to attain Khushoo’. 

Whether we realise it or not, the clothing we wear can psychologically impact the way 

in which we behave. Think of the last time you put on a particular uniform before 

completing a task. For example, putting on a sports outfit before hitting the gym. Did 

you feel more involved in the task and more ready to perform it whilst in the uniform? 

It helped you get in the zone, didn’t it? Likewise, the clothing we wear for prayer 

should aid us in its performance and not act as a distraction or source of discomfort. 

We can’t always choose to wear what we wish, however, especially at work or in other 

situations. On the next page are some guidelines to help you get by in any situation, 

which will ultimately contribute to better Khushoo’ - InshaAllah. 


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3 

Prepare for the special occasion 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "No one will enter Paradise who 

has an atom's weight of pride in his heart." A man said, "What if a man 

likes his clothes to look good and his shoes to look good?" He said, 

"Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Pride means denying the truth and 

looking down on people." [Muslim] 

Picture this: you’ve been invited to a big event at the end of the week. You’re excited 

and can’t wait to make all the fun preparations and finally get there to enjoy yourself. 

You’re so excited in fact that all week you think about what to wear; you prepare 

your finest clothes, best perfume, shoes, etc. On the day of the event, you’re so 

happy that you’re looking your absolute best for those who are there—be they friends, 

family, associates, colleagues or other important figures in your life. 

What am I getting at here? The fact of the matter is, when something is important 

to us, we prepare for it like crazy! The question then is: how many of us prepare like 

this for Salah? An event that happens five times per day, better than any other event 

we could attend, yet many of us take it for granted. Yes, it’s true that Allah SWT does 

not judge us on our outward appearance when praying, but rather what is in our 

hearts. However, looking your best for the Lord of the Worlds doesn’t hurt. In fact, 

it can increase your rewards even further. Ultimately, when you look good, you feel 

good. When you feel good in front of your Lord by doing that which pleases Him, 

you’re one step closer to attaining Khushoo’! The abovementioned hadith also indicates 

that there’s nothing wrong with dressing well, so long as the intention is correct. Yes, 

looking ‘fly’ is a good thing! 


Although not always practical or possible due to our daily situations, try to apply the 

following whenever you can to help maximise your Khushoo’. 

• Prepare your best clothes and keep them by your place of prayer, making sure 

you’re able to put them on easily before commencing. This could be your 

favourite thawb / Jubba or Abayah, favourite shirt or any other outfit you feel 

would be pleasing to Allah SWT. 

• Keep a special set of clothes just for Jumu’ah, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace 

be upon him) encouraged us to wear our best garments for this blessed day. The 

same applies for the Eid prayers. 

• Clean your teeth and freshen your breath with a miswak (tooth stick) before 

praying. 

• Apply attar / perfume before praying to further beautify yourself for the sake of 

Allah SWT, and add that extra sense of feeling fresh and prepared. 

Bonus Tip 

Be sure that any clothes you wear will fully cover your awrah (nakedness) 

when praying. Looking good for Allah SWT is important, but not at the risk 

of revealing your nakedness. A classic (and very traumatic) example that many 

of us have had the horror of experiencing is seeing a view of somebody’s 

backside as they bend over for Ruku’ or Sujood. This often happens because 

of tight clothing or garments that are too short. Revealing the awrah during 

the prayer risks invalidating it, so we all must take great care in this. This 

applies to both men and women, by the way! 


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4 

Remove those distractions! 


• Remove distracting objects, pictures, food, clothes, etc. out of your way before 

praying so that you’re not tempted to look. 

• Turn off the television and any music. The quieter, the better. 

• Maintain a tidy prayer space in your house or regular place of worship that’s 

always kept free of distractions and mess. 

• Get rid of unpleasant smells around you. This is especially important if attending 

the Masjid for prayer. Smells of cigarette smoke, bad body odours or smelly foods 

can be really offensive distractions to those around you. 

• If you don’t have control over the place you’re praying in, and it’s very distracting 

(e.g. a loud shopping mall), try your best to use the least distracting spot for 

prayer such as the corner, or away from distracting objects, sounds, or people! 

It was narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘A’ishah 

had a patterned curtain with which she covered the side of her house. 

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Take 

this patterned curtain of yours away from us because its images kept 

distracting me in my prayer.” [Bukhari] 

Allah SWT has made it such that we can pray anywhere and everywhere that is clean 

and pure. For many of us, however, if we’re not at the Masjid, we usually pray at home, 

at work, or anywhere else we can find. 

Whether it’s in the living room, your bedroom, the back yard, the office or anywhere 

for that matter, try your best to make sure that there are no unnecessary distractions 

in front of, or around you. 

When trying to attain true Khushoo’, we want our focus to be on Allah SWT 100%. 

Before you pray, look around. Are there any distractions around you that may catch your 

attention while you pray? Pictures on the wall? Smelly socks on the floor? Loud voices 

or music? The television? Tech devices that may ring, ping or pop? Does your prayer 

mat itself have too many distracting patterns on it? 

Whatever the distraction may be, you’ll find that it’s worth it just to move it to the 

side, clean up a little or even cover up any distracting objects or images in front of 

you. This new empty space, as well as freedom from any audio distractions, will help 

you to further clear your mind and find that peace and tranquillity you’re seeking while 

praying to Allah SWT. 

Bonus Tip 

Don’t forget that when other people around you pray, YOU could be their 

distraction if you talk too loudly, move in front of them or behave inappropriately. 

Keep this in mind, especially in the Masjid. Don’t be a Khushoo’ buster for 

others! 


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5 

Pray on time 

The Prophet (peace be upon him ) said, “The most beloved of deeds to 

Allah are: the Salah in its proper time...” [Bukhari and Muslim] 


• If you need to, set an alarm or reminder on your phone near the beginning of the 

prayer time so that you don’t forget. 

• Don’t let Shaytan trick you into thinking that there is “plenty of time left” before 

the prayer ends. Try to think to yourself, “Hmm... who’s worth listening to? 

Shaytan, or the call of Allah SWT?”. Easy answer, right?! 

• Make sure you plan your day around the Salah, and that you don’t just squeeze 

your prayer into your day. This requires a mind-set shift and thinking of Salah as a 

top priority rather than a mere obstacle in your way. 

• Remember the huge levels of rewards and blessings for those who pray on time, 

as well as the potential punishment of praying late! 

• Remember that prayer will be the first thing we’re questioned about on the Day 

of Judgement, and if our prayers were good in this life, our fate will be good 

upon questioning. Not just good with regards to Khushoo’, but also the time at 

which we pray. 

• Be around friends who have a habit of praying on time - remind each other! It’s a 

lot easier to complete a task when others around you are doing it too. 

Many of us fall into the trap of thinking, “Oh there’s plenty of time left, I’ll just pray 

later”, and therefore resort to delaying the prayer until it’s almost over, or worse, missing 

it altogether! Not only is this counterproductive, resulting in you having to rush the 

prayer and lose lots of Khushoo’ and rewards, but it can, in fact, become sinful if done 

habitually without a valid reason. 

Do you ever notice that when you pray on time, knowing that you don’t have to rush 

through the movements and quickly finish, you’re overcome with a feeling of calmness, 

content, and tranquillity? This is a step closer to attaining true Khushoo’ in the prayer 

by pleasing Allah SWT, and allowing you all the time in the world to focus on speaking 

with Him, praising Him and contemplating over the wonders that flow throughout the 

Qur’an. The benefit and rewards that you derive from the prayer will also be much 

more compared to one that is prayed in a rushed manner in the last few minutes. 

If you have a habit of constantly delaying the prayer, try to ask yourself what it is that 

makes you delay it. Are those other things more important than gaining all of those 

rewards? Think of that wonderful feeling of finishing the prayer early and having plenty 

of time to work before the next prayer starts. It takes no time at all, and will make 

you more productive! 

Praying late also shows a sign of laziness and lack of care for Allah SWT and His call. 

Remember, He calls you five times per day to stand before Him. Is that an invitation 

worth rejecting? 

Bonus Tip 

If praying early is too difficult, start off by choosing the easiest prayer of the day 

for you. In the beginning, be sure to pray this prayer on time every day. In a week 

or two, choose the second easiest prayer and pray it on time. Then begin adding 

and praying the other prayers earlier too until a habit is formed. Try this and you’ll 

have a habit of praying every prayer early in no time, InshaAllah. 


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6 


• Put your phone/gadget on silent, airplane mode, or even better...off! 

• Move gadgets far away if you can. Nothing will happen to Facebook in those 

5-10 minutes, don’t worry! 

• Try your best to stop all social media and technological activities at least 5-10 

minutes before praying to allow your brain to settle and clear itself from all of 

the clutter. 

Switch them off! 

If Khushoo’ is about attaining peace, serenity and tranquillity in the prayer, focusing 

totally on Allah SWT and what you’re reciting, it’s pretty obvious that the sound of a 

new notification, text message or a phone call is going to distract you for a moment 

during prayer, or even worse, distract lots of others! Not only that, it leaves many of 

us frantically trying to reach into our pockets to find the off switch, causing us to move 

around too much and potentially invalidate our prayers. 

Unfortunately, we live in a time where the majority of us are obsessed with our gadgets 

and constantly being connected to every social network possible, or seeing the latest 

and coolest thing on the net. Even though these gadgets can be used for good, our 

inability to control our usage can have a damaging impact not only on our Khushoo’ but 

our lives in general. Laziness, lack of focus, loss of patience and major procrastination 

are just a few examples of side effects that are a result of this addiction. 

Later on in the Bonus Section of this eBook, guest writer Omar Usman (Fiqh of Social 

Media) goes deeper into this issue, describing the very problems many of us have with 

regards to smart phones, social media and the ways in which they distract us during 

our Salah. 

Bonus Tip 

Remember that when you are in the Masjid, you have to take extra care to 

ensure that you’re not a Khushoo’ buster for other people. Imagine being the 

reason that every single person in the prayer congregation took their attention 

away from Allah SWT because YOUR mobile phone rang? It’s important to 

note that if your phone does ring in the Masjid during Salah, you should 

turn it off so as to not disturb anyone. 

Guest Tip! 

“My favorite khushoo hack is to completely disconnect 

from everything - physically and mentally. The best 

way to do this is by going to the mosque for prayer 

(disconnecting physically) and leaving your phone in 

the car (disconnecting mentally). If that's not possible 

and you're at home, then leave your room/phone and 

move to a different area in the house.” 

Mifrah Mahroof - Co-founder, 

www.MuslimLifeHackers.com (podcast) 


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7 

Make sure you feel awesome 

The Prophet (saw) advised to: “Take benefit of five before five: ... your 

health before your sickness ... [Hakim] 


• Keep a healthy diet and regular fitness routine to stay in tip top shape. You can 

take nutrition and lifestyle inspiration from the Sunnah - there are immense 

blessings and wisdom therein! 

• Make sure the food you eat before praying won’t make you feel lazy and sluggish 

- especially before Taraweeh in Ramadan! 

• Grab a light snack if you feel really hungry before praying (so long as there’s 

enough time!), so you don’t hear your stomach rumbling as you fantasise 

about food! 

• Properly relieve yourself (i.e. visit the bathroom) before praying if you need to go. 

Struggling to hold it in will definitely distract you during prayer. Plus, 

it’s considered to be really disliked to pray while needing to answer the 

call of nature. 

• Take a little rest if you don’t feel too great. Sip water, relax, then begin. 

• Try to maintain a stress-free life. Stress can have large effects on our physical wellbeing, 

making it a very common Khushoo’ buster! Use Salah as your stress-free 

get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Let it be the coolness to your eyes. 

Earlier we mentioned that our clothes should be clean and comfortable, making our 

prayer a more enjoyable experience. However, there’s something much more important 

that should be in check before we pray - our bodies! 

Being physically uncomfortable can be a real Khushoo’ buster. We can’t always help this 

of course, especially if we’re ill, but we should always try to keep our bodies in tip-top 

shape with the intentions of not only being healthy but to be able to worship Allah SWT 

better too. Our bodies are entrusted to us by Allah SWT, so it is our duty to take care 

of them. 

Our diets, sleeping patterns, daily routines, the amount (or lack of) physical activities 

we engage in, our relationships with others, levels of stress and overall quality of life 

can all affect both our physical and spiritual states. 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Companions (may Allah SWT be pleased 

with them) regularly engaged in physical activities such as horse riding, swimming, 

running, wrestling and others to keep fit and in shape. The Prophet (peace be upon 

him) was even described as having ‘squares on his stomach’ - i.e., a 6-pack! Now is 

that motivation to workout or what? 

Keeping our minds, bodies and souls in good condition can contribute to an overall 

satisfying experience when we stand before Allah SWT in prayer - InshaAllah. 

Guest Tip! 

"If someone asks me about khushoo’ then I'm going 

to tell them about sleep! Talking about sleep seems 

a bit odd but this is especially important when you 

are young and just starting to build those life long 

routines. Getting in the habit of sleeping at such a time 

that you wake up in the quiet hours of the morning 

is the biggest hack to khushoo’ I know. The day is 

so much calmer when you wake on time catch the 

night prayers then pray the Fajr with the concentration 

it deserves. Watch how the rest of your day is filled 

with effortless ease and your mind is literally ready 

for that awesome sense of peace." 

Maheen Malik - Co-founder, 

www.MuslimLifeHackers.com (podcast) 

(Note: I interviewed sister Amina Khan from Amanah Fitness in 

an episode of the Deenspiration podcast. Although the episode 

covered health and nutrition tips for Ramadan, these tips can still be 

applied throughout the year. Visit www.deenspiration.com/podcast 

to find and listen to the episode.) 


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