Muslims must perform five times a day of salah, which is required by the Almighty Allah. Salah is a valuable gift from Allah (SWT), allowing us to present all of our needs to Him and make any requests we may have. Even though salah is a blessing without measure, many Muslims continue to disregard it. A typical issue for many of us throughout Salah is losing focus. In prayer, we frequently focus on undesirable things rather than Allah (SWT). We would like to offer some advice in this article today that will enable us to maintain our focus and concentration throughout Salah.
Setting The Prayer Scene
Your prayer should be said in a special spot. Take care of anything that can prevent you from praying by causing a distraction. The space should be tidy, clean, cozy, and dark, and it should be in the room that you don’t use much. If the room is at a comfortable temperature, you won’t have to worry or entertain any distraction-causing thoughts. Thermal sensors found in human skin serve as persistent reminders of any bodily discomfort.
If the space where you pray is even slightly dark, the feeling of darkness instils terror and awe, which improves concentration by further obstructing vision. It is best if there are fewer things that you can view while prayer. Pictures and other décor that can catch your eye or provoke a memory or thought should not hang on the walls.
Additionally, it is advisable that you pick a quiet area away from other people. You shouldn’t be in close proximity to a phone because hearing it ring will just make you wonder how urgent the call is. Additionally, you should avoid any smells from the kitchen so that you may concentrate on the task at hand rather than drooling and daydreaming about food during prayer. Finally, you should respect and value your relationship with Allah (SWT) by keeping the doors of the room you pray in closed rather than locked so that you won’t hear family members chatting or children yelling at one another.
You ought to light incense to make your prayer space smell good. It is a strongly advised action that carries a lot of scientific and research weight. Burning incense is one of the most effective ways to calm one’s nerves and emotions, and doing so can also help one achieve a high level of inner purity through deep breathing and meditation. There is substantial evidence to support these claims. Aroma therapists are professionals in this subject, and the oils they apply topically or burn to emit fumes can considerably lower stress levels in the brain, reduce muscle activity, and slow down the mind’s train of thought, all of which can improve prayerfulness and focus.
Researchers claim that the aromas of pure, natural essential oils act as a catalyst for transformation in the human mind and body. Aromas from essential oils trigger the emotional processing area of the brain. The form of an essential oil molecule resembles a key that unlocks a lock-like structure in our nostrils’ olfactory nerve receptors. The limbic system, which stores memories and perceives pleasure and emotion, receives an instantaneous and direct impression of the perfume. The limbic system releases substances that have an impact on the central nervous system when it is aroused. Endorphins lessen pain, serotonin combats worry, and so forth.
One can get a pleasant emotional equilibrium by inhaling essential oils. In turn, a stable mental state can have a therapeutic influence on physical issues, especially those brought on by stress.
Therefore, increasing your level of concentration, through relaxation with essential oils, using direct inhalation or diffusion is highly recommended. Direct inhalation is beneficial when immediate relief is needed. For instance, to relieve stressful thoughts, anxiety or lethargy before Prayer, drip 2-5 drops of Chamomile onto a handkerchief, hold it under your nose and breathe deeply. Because of their volatile nature, essential oils will readily diffuse into the air. An aroma therapy lamp, a ceramic vessel equipped with a small basin to hold a mixture of water and essential oil is a good way to diffuse scent. The basin is warmed from underneath by a candle or light bulb. Diffusing relaxing oils like Chamomile, Rose or Sandalwood can significantly reduce over-load in the brain, thus allowing you to be attentive in your Prayer.
Tips to Focus in Prayer
Below are a few ideas that, In shaa Allah, will assist you in raising the standard of salah both in terms of the prayer’s effectiveness and its consideration of potential pitfalls.
First of all, make sincere ablution for prayer, you can prepare to focus in your prayer by concentrating during ablution.
- Don’t delay your prayer. Always offer your salah on time.
- Learn the meaning of Surah that you recite in your prayer. The Holy Quran is a unique book got the ability to attract anyone, due to its beauty and accent. Still, it is essential to know the meaning of its Surahs. We’ll never get distracted from our salah if we focus on the meaning of the Surahs which we recite during prayer. Indeed, the Holy Quran is a book like no other, a revelation from Almighty Allah himself.
- Whenever you have bad thoughts from Shaitan during salah, just spit dryly on your left side, turning your head only slightly.
- You must know your opposition which is definitely Shaitan. If we understand the different tricks of the shaitan, we can avoid falling into its traps and letting our minds stray in salah. ‘Uthan b. Abu al- ‘As reported that he came to the Allah’s Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and said: “Allah’s Messenger, the Satan intervenes between me and my prayer and my reciting of the Qur’an and he confounds me”. Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “That is (the doing of the Satan) who is known as Khinzab and when you perceive its effect, seek refuge with Allah from it and spit three times to your left”. (Muslim)
- Increase the significance of Salah by thinking of the Salah you are about to perform like the one in which Allah Almighty will question about on the Day of Judgement. This should help us to perform the salah with the devotion, concentration and care we are looking for.
- Think of the prayer you are performing as if it is your last salah in your life. And it might very well be your last one because no one is guaranteed that he/she will live to perform another prayer.
- Clear your mind from all worldly things before you raise your hands to begin prayer.
- Make Dua after completing the prayer. Remain seated in your place of salah, recite Istighfar for any mistakes made in the prayer, and supplicate for everything from the Lord of Universe. There is power in dua, so don’t let the opportunity pass you by.
