How to Strengthen the Connection With Allah?

Question : I find it difficult to concentrate in prayers. Can you tell me a way to improve my concentration?

ANSWER : Your problem is something that every single Muslim needs to be concerned with — developing a greater sense of heart-tender connection, along with mental submission during our prayers. When standing before Allah, we must feel in our deepest being that we are communicating with the Creator of all things and beings, and the One to Whom we will all return in the very end, seeking His mercy and guidance.

There are actually many ways through which we can develop a greater sense of submission to Allah, but I will only list some of those that I feel are the easiest to implement:

1. First, you can repeat the words of the Adhan (call for prayers) after the muezzin (the person who calls the Adhan).
2. Then, you can recite the du`aa'(supplication) after the Adhan. This would be the du`aa' that means the following:

"O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be offered, grant Muhammad the privilege (of interceding) and also the eminence, and resurrect him to the praised position that You have promised."

(Please notice that "interceding" in Islam does not mean acting as a mediator between the Creator and any of His creations.)

3. Make du`aa' (any supplication you feel like doing) between theAdhan and the Iqamah (second call to prayer).
4. Wear clean clothes. This is because Allah says in the Quran what means:

{O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by being in your most beautiful and cleanest status ) at every time and place of prayer.} (Al-A`raf 7:31)

Allah is most deserving of seeing us "taking our adornment" for Him. Clean and pleasant-smelling clothes are also more comfortable and relaxing.

5. Move at a measured pace during prayer. Do not rush through ruku`(bowing) or sujud (prostration).
6. Reflect upon the meaning of the verses being recited, along with the du`aa' throughout ruku` and sujud.
7. Abu Qutadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The worst type of thief is the o­ne who steals from his prayer." He said, "O Messenger of Allah, how can a person steal from his prayer?" The Prophet said, "By not doing ruku` and sujud properly" (Ahmad and Al-Hakim).
8. Remember death while you are praying. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) advised Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) saying, "When you stand up to pray, pray a farewell prayer" (Ahmad). By this, he meant the prayer of a person who thinks that he or she will not pray another prayer. The person who is prayingwill no doubt die, and eventually he or she will pray his or her last prayer. So, when you pray, you should have submission and awareness in your prayers, for you don't know whether this will be your last prayer.
9. Vary your recitation of Quranic chapters, verses, adhkar(remembrance of Allah) and du`aa'  in your prayers. Always try to learn new verses and surahs so you can avoid repetition of only a few in each prayer. This brings variety to the prayer and decreases chances of becoming bored with it due to repetition.
10. Make du`aa' during prostration and bow according to the sunnah(daily habits) of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The best time to ask Allah for anything is during prostration; this is when we are as close as we can be to Allah in this worldly life.

I hope this has helped you in your desire to bring deeper meaning to your prayers. May Allah guide us all to what pleases Him.

Salam.

-onislam.net