I Can't Remember What I Prayed!

Salaam Minara Family,

“I tend to immediately forget what I recited three seconds ago. Is this normal? 🙂”

Minara friends, we feel you!

Definitely very common [eeek!] Probably shouldn’t be normal🤯.

Minara asked you for your prayer queries and struggles on Instagram and the one recurring theme appeared to be maintaining focus and attention throughout prayer.

The question we started with really made us smile because man, isn’t this just the first step on what we’re coining the khushu’ ladder?!

Obtaining khushu’ [state of attentive humility] probably feels daunting. Totally understandable. But it is most definitely not elusive or inaccessible. Remember, Islam is a religion of moderation. Extremity is not required to tap into the sweetness of salah and acquire khushu’. It’s the small steps that matter: the ablution before the prayer; the contemplation of what is being recited in the prayer; the composure of one’s prostration; and you showing up!

Today we’ll be sharing seven hot tips to help you up said ladder.

Happy climbing!

1. Say a quick prayer of protection from Shaytaan:

   This will have Shaytaan running in the opposite direction in a matter of seconds. Yes these words are that powerful, Allahu Akbar!

2. Hungry? Thirsty? Insides ready to explode? Don’t begin your salah until you have relieved yourself. All you’ll be thinking about is desperately finishing salah to make a mad dash to the bathroom 🚽. Bonding with Allah, not bowel movements is our aim! Can you imagine, the innate act of going to the bathroom or grabbing a snack won’t just be moments of relief, but active symbols of worship as you convey a desire to devote yourself to salah ⚓.

3. Speaking of wudhu’, that feeling of relief and satisfaction in completing an ablution must be universal right? There is always a sense of something being lifted from you and feeling so fresh and cleansed. Despite any initial reluctance to perform wudhu’, you always leave feeling accomplished. This sensation has to be a sign from Allah - of his promise to cleanse you of your minor sins ❣️ On the Day of Judgement, our noble Prophet [peace be upon him] will recognise us with the marks of wudhu on our faces. So pay attention to your wudhu’. If you are conscious of every step you make in wudhu’, you will also be conscious of every step of your salah in sha Allah.

4. Impress your witnesses. Witnesses you ask? Your hands, your feet, your mouth, your eyes… and of course your two companions who rest on your shoulders and record your deeds. Help them craft an impressive witness statement for your trial in the Court of Allah. When your mind wanders, take assurance from your hands and feet that you are still here, solid and strong in your little prayer spot, in the calming presence of your Creator. 📃

5. A brilliant way to engage the senses in prayer is to understand what is being recited. The concentrating part becomes easier as we follow the stories and messages that are being shared with us. Imagine following a podcast or a show in a completely different language with no translator or subtitles! While unlocking the translations of so much recitation can be daunting, set small targets for the study of verses like Surah Fatiha which is read in every salah.

   Pssst: we have a lovely little summary of translations in Minara’s Prayer Pro Guide, available to purchase here.

6. Visualise! Modern-day cognitive therapy is very much focused on mindfulness. This means being present in the moment rather than losing time over the past or the future. Salah itself is a practice of mindfulness right? It calms you, grounds you and lifts you. But it is natural if you find your thoughts wandering in salah. Bring your attention back. The more you do this, the easier it will become to retain mental tranquillity for prayer. Looking for an anchor? Visualise Paradise on your right and Hell-fire on your left. Don’t despair friend even if you’re having to do this exhaustively. Allah loves the effort you are making. 😇

7. Spaces emit energies. What energy is your prayer space emitting? In your bedroom, you feel chill and relaxed. At work, you feel hasty and a little stressed. Whenever you can, choose your prayer spot and wherever you cannot, be aware of the energy and try to close the doors and windows of distraction in your mind. Disconnect from your physical location. In the same vein, reduce external distraction to commit to the internal. Pray with congregation, or in a dimmed and quiet room. Turn off distractions such as phones/radio/tv etc. Keep your eyes lowered. Remove any distracting objects in range of your vision. Reduce your range of vision by praying up near a wall. Avoid decorative prayer mats (if they distract you).

Mufti Menk once relayed a funny story of a young man who in the midst of his salah, took out a water bottle from his pocket and proceeded to drink from it. Having witnessed this, Shaykh approached the young man and reminded him that this was not permissible in salah. The young man however had not processed that he had done such a thing in the middle of his prayer and so denied this. This was until he removed his bottle from his pocket under the instruction of the Shaykh and saw that he had indeed drank half the contents of the bottle!

We can all relate to doing things in a ‘glazed mental state’ which in salah, would be the complete opposite of khushu’!

We would love to hear which tip resonates with you and if you have any of your own to share. Just hit the reply button at the top of the email. 💬 

We love answering your questions so please keep ‘em coming.

Until next week friends,

The Minara Team