The Essence of Prayer (Tips on Developing Khushoo' in Salah)

“Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their salaah (prayers) with all solemnity and fullsubmissiveness.” 

[al-Mu’minoon 23:1-2]

Hudhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say: “Beware of the khushoo’ of hypocrisy.” He was asked, “What is the khushoo’ of hypocrisy?” He said, “When the body shows khushoo’ but there is no khushoo’ in the heart.” Fudayl ibn ‘Ayaad said: “It was disliked for a man to show more khushoo’ than he had in his heart.” One of them saw a man showing khushoo’ in his shoulders and body, and said, “O So and so, khushoo’ is here” – and hepointed to his chest, “not here” – and he pointed to his shoulders. (al-Madaarij, 1/521)

Concerning the virtues of khushoo’ and as a warning to the one who neglects it, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Five prayers which Allah has made obligatory. Whoever does wudoo’ properly for them, prays them on time, does rukoo’ properly and has perfect khushoo’, it is a promise from Allaah that he will be forgiven, but whoever does not do this, has no such promise – if Allah wishes, He will forgive him, and if He wishes, He will punish him.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 425; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3242).

Concerning the virtues of khushoo’, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: “Whoever does wudoo’ and does it well, then prays two rak’ahs focusing on them completely [according to another report: and does not think of anything else], will be forgiven all his previous sins [according to another report: will be guaranteed Paradise].” 

(Al-Bukhaari, al- Bagha edn., no. 158; al-Nisaa'i, 1/95; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6166).