The means of developing Khushoo’
4. Thinking about the aayaat and adhkaar being recited during the prayer and interacting with them.
The Qur’aan was revealed to be pondered over. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “(This is) a Book (the Quraan) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.” [Saad 38:29]. No one can ponder over its verses unless he has some knowledge of the meaning of what he is reciting, so that he can think about it and be moved to tears by it.
•Another way of helping oneself to ponder over the meanings is to repeat aayaat, because this will help one to think deeply and look again at the meanings.
•Another way of helping oneself to ponder over the meanings is to memorize Quraan and various adhkaar to be recited during different parts of the prayer, so that one may recite them and think about their meanings.
5. Pausing at the end of each ayah:
This is more helpful in understanding and thinking about the meaning, and it is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ , as Umm Salamah (رضي اللّٰه عنه ) described how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would recite, “Bismillah il-Rahmaan il-Raheem”, and according to one report, he would pause, then say, “Al-hamdu Lillaahi Rabbi‟l- „Aalameen, al-Rahmaan, al-Raheem.” Then according to one report, he would pause, then say, “Maaliki yawm il-deen,” and he would break up his recitation ayah by ayah. (Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 4001; classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwaa‟, where its isnaads are described. 2/60).
•Pausing at the end of each ayah is Sunnah even if the meaning continues into the next ayah.
•Reciting in slow, rhythmic tones (tarteel) and making one’s voice beautiful when reciting. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) “would recite a surah in such slow rhythmic tones that it would be longer than would seem possible.” (Reported by Muslim, no. 733).
•Another way of helping oneself to have khushoo’ is by making one’s voice beautiful when reciting. This is something that was advised by the Prophet ﷺ , as when he said, “Beautify the Qur‟an with your voices, for a fine voice increases the Quraan in beauty.” (Reported by al-Haakim, 1/575; Saheeh al- Jaami‟, no. 3581).
6. Knowing that Allah responds to prayers:
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah ﷻ has said: I have divided the prayer between Myself and My slave, into two halves, and My slave shall have what he has asked for.” When the slave says “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds”, Allah says, “My slave has praised Me.” When the slave says, “The Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy,” Allah says, “My slave has extolled me.” When the slave says, “Master of the Day of Judgement,” Allah says, “My slave has glorified me.” When the slave says, “It is You alone we worship and it is You alone we ask for help,” Allah says, “This is between Me and My slave, and My slave shall have what he asked for.” When the slave says, “Guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those whom You have favoured, not the path of those who receive Your anger, nor of those who go astray,” Allah says, “All these are for My slave, and My slave shall have what he asked for.” (Saheeh Muslim).
•This is a great and important hadith. If everyone kept it in mind when he prays, he would attain immense khushoo’ and al-Faatihah would have a great impact on him. How could it be otherwise, when he feels that his Lord is addressing him and giving him what he is asking for?
•This “conversation” with Allah must be respected and accorded its proper value. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When any one of you stands to pray, he is conversing with his Lord, so let him pay attention to how he speaks to Him.” (al-Haakim, al-Mustadrak, 1/236; Saheeh al-Jaami‟, 1538).
Source: 33 Ways of developing Khushoo’ in Salaah by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
