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Namaz(Worship) of Ihsan.

Q:

Narrated Abu Huraira: One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is faith?” Allah’s Apostle replied, ‘Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection.” Then he further asked, “What is Islam?” Allah’s Apostle replied, “To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan.” Then he further asked, “What is ihsan (perfection)?” Allah’s Apostle replied, “To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you.” How can I recite the Namaz of Ihsan?

A:

Wa alaykum salaam

Answer: Worshiping Allah with Ihsân in salât is not easy. It requires
efforts and a great deal of self-discipline. Here are a few points that may
assist in achieving this:

i) ensure that you have taken care of all muqaddimât (prerequisites) of
salât. These include purity of clothes & body, ritual ablution, your clothes
and place should be mubâh, etc.

ii) Recite the recommended supplications (Du’âs) when performing your wudhû

iii) say your prayers in an environment which is free of distractions. So
switch off your mobile, keep your kids away, and make sure that there are no
pictures or drawings on the wall. If something urgent needs to be done and
your salât is not getting qadhâ, then finish your urgent tasks so that you
have peace of mind in salât.

iv) get ready for salât a few minutes before the time and be seated on the
prayer mat so that your mind is settled before you begin prayers

v) recite recommended supplications (Du’âs), after Adhân and Iqâmah. It
would be highly beneficial if you know the meanings of these Du’âs

vi) say your prayers slowly, performing each action gradually and in peace;
avoid rushing through the wâjibât

vii) as long as you are saying prayers with concentration, you are connected
with Allah. Do not make Him turn away from you.

viii) Say your prayers in a way as if it is the last prayer of your life.

ix) Develop love and joy for saying prayers; never considering it to be a
burden that needs to be off loaded.

x) Ponder over what you are reciting in salât and beseech Allah to keep you
away from all major and minor acts that would invite His wrath or distance
you from His mercy.

A number of good books have been published in English on how to improve
one’s salât. These include:

1) Seeking Light – A short treatise on the secrets of Wudhû by Sh Muhammad
Khalfan

2) Soaring unto the Lord by Sh Muhammad Khalfan

3) Adaab and Du’âs for Daily Routine by Tayyiba Publishers

4) 101 Ways to Concentrate in Prayers by Dr Ali al-Hilli

5) Concentration in Prayers – 25 Strategies by Dr Jameel Kermalli

With Du’âs, Hasanayn Kassam Ali