Salah, the second pillar of Islam, is more than just a daily ritual: it is the heart of a Muslim’s faith. Salah alone includes all five pillars of Islam:
When a Muslim prays, they:
✅ Affirm Tawheed (Shahada) by worshipping Allah alone. “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”Every call to prayer has this core belief. Before praying, a Muslim must have pure intention (niyyah) to worship Allah alone. During prayer, every act from wukoof (standing), roku’ (bowing) to sujood (prostrating), reinforces Tawheed (oneness of Allah).
✅ Dedicate their time to Allah (Zakat) instead of focusing on work or chasing money and wealth. Check our comprehensive guide on Zakat.
✅ Fast from eating and drinking (Sawm), focusing entirely on worship.
✅ Face the Kaaba (Hajj), connecting spiritually with millions of Muslims worldwide.
Salah combines all five pillars of Islam and is therefore the most comprehensive act of worship. When you stand to pray, you are not just performing a ritual; you are entering the presence of Allah. But, during Salah, Iblis is always waiting to distract you. He tries to make you drift away, and lose your focus and we often do! Allah warns us in Surah Ma’un (107:4-5):
“Woe to those who pray, but they are heedless in their prayer.”
Iblis will steal your khushu’ (humility and concentration) and turn your prayer into an empty, mechanical act. No surprise that you remember where you left your missing key or a trivial problem you have at work during prayer!
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is complete, then the voluntary (prayers) will also be recorded for him (as an increase). If it is not complete then Allah will say to His angels: ‘Look and see whether you find any voluntary prayers for My slave, and take them to make up what is lacking from his obligatory prayers.’ Then all his deeds will be reckoned in like manner.” (Tirmidhi 413)
Here are are 8 steps you can take to counter these distractions and make your Salah more powerful:
1. Recognize That You Are in Front of Allah
One of the most powerful ways to make your Salah impactful is to remind yourself that you are in the presence of Allah from the beginning. When you stand for prayer, you are standing before the Creator of the heavens and the earth. This awareness can shift your mindset from the distractions around you to the reality of what you are doing.
Whenever you say “Allahu Akbar”, remember you are declaring that Allah is indeed greater than your work, your family, any concern or distraction, or worldly thought that tries to creep in. Visualize yourself standing in front of Allah, acknowledging His greatness and His mercy.
2. The Presence of the Heart in Salah
Before you start your next Salah, take a moment to make sure your heart is present. If there’s something on your mind, actively reflect and admit while doing so that this should not alter how you pray. This avoids letting your mind wander to other thoughts, unrelated to your prayer. If thoughts arise, gently bring yourself back to the prayer and focus on the meaning behind each phrase.
3. Learn the Meaning behind Surahs
Another way to deepen your connection to Allah during Salah is by learning the meanings of the surahs and duas you recite. When you understand the words of the Quran, they become more than just sounds, they become a direct conversation with Allah. Visualize the words you are saying. When you’re reading Surah Al-Fatiha acknowledge that you are asking Allah to guide you pass the Sirat on judgement day and ask Him for guidance, mercy, and protection. Also, learn new (short and long) Surahs and use them in your daily prayer instead of repeating the same ones.
When you make dua in your Salah, think deeply about the words. If you Allah gives you mercy and forgiveness what else would you need in this dunya? Let these meanings resonate in your heart and mind as you pray. Connecting with the words of Salah will transform it from a mere act to a profound experience of worship and closeness to Allah.
4. Rajaa’ (Hope in Allah’s Mercy)
Rajaa’ means having hope in Allah’s mercy, which can transform your Salah. While you stand in prayer, remind yourself that Allah’s mercy is greater than anything else. No matter how many times you’ve fallen short, His mercy is always there to embrace you. During your prayer, especially in sujood, let that hope in Allah’s mercy fill your heart.
5. Khawf (Fear of Allah)
Rajaa’ alone is not sufficient. Khawf (fear of Allah) brings humility into your heart. Fear of Allah reminds you of His power and majesty, which helps you approach your Salah with awe and reverence.
When you are in prayer, feel the weight of your actions and the need for Allah’s forgiveness. This healthy fear of Allah helps to ensure your heart remains humble, and it keeps you sincere in your worship.
6. Haya’ (Modesty)
The modesty (Haya’) in your Salah reflects how much respect you have for the act of worship. Haya’ is not just about outward actions; it’s about inner sincerity. It’s about being modest before Allah, acknowledging your imperfections, and striving to better yourself. Part of having Haya’ is stopping sins, especially backbiting (Ghaybah), because Allah loves those who refrain from evil and strive to purify themselves.
As you stand for prayer, ask Allah to help you stop sinning, starting with the sin of this era Ghaybah and gossip, so your heart remains pure and ready to connect with Him. Make a commitment to turn away from sin and let your Salah be a means of purification.
7. Pray in Congregation
Make your Salah powerful by praying in congregation (Salat al-Jama’a). Fajr and Isha prayers, in particular, are emphasised in many hadiths, with the Prophet ﷺ saying that the hypocrite does not pray Fajr or Isha (Sahih Muslim). Jama’a creates a sense of unity and strength. Everyone performing Salah and all five pillars of Islam at once.
The reward of praying in congregation is greater (27 times), and it serves as a reminder of the blessing and mercy of Allah. And if you go to masjid regularly it becomes your peaceful break.
“O Bilal, call the people to prayer, give us comfort through it.” (Abu Dawood 4985)
8. Answering Allah’s Call to Prayer
When you hear the adhan, remember that this is Allah’s call to you. The call is not just an invitation to prayer, but an opportunity to enter Allah’s mercy and closeness.
Make a commitment to answer that call without laziness, just like you answer quickly when your boss calls you. Salah will automatically become your haven, away from the stress and worries of life.
Muslim Prayer and the five pillars of Islam
In the end, Muslims prayer or Salah combines all five pillars of Islam and is the connection between you and Allah. Don’t let distractions take away the power of your prayer. Strive for khushu’—the humility, focus, and sincerity that make Salah a transformative experience. Keep trying, and remember the beautiful words of the Prophet ﷺ:
“And those who strive for Us, We will guide them to Our ways.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:69)
All we have to do is to take the first (serious) step and Allah will guide us all inshaAllah.
“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:45)