Making ones prayers...

If not every non Arabic speaking person, at least I find it difficult to concentrate fully during the prayers. there are several hadiths that describe as to how one can increase the khushu wa khudhu(humility, Submissiveness, tenderness in the heart) during prayers. but still people get diverted. i remember reading one of the scholar who said upon asking how he concentrates in prayers, he said, 'while praying i feel shaitaan(devil) is behind me, heaven on my right side, hell on my left and Allah SWT in front of me. this makes me to be steadfast.' Alhamdulillah(All praise to Allah). but as new generation muslims we still get diverted. if its the fajar prayer, after praying and coming back to bed we wonder whether we prayed in real or was it in a dream!(sorry to say but it happens with me sometime). if its zohar, in prayer you will be solving the incomplete algorithm that you left at your desk. if its maghrib, you are empty stomach and tired and feel pity for yourself. and for isha, you think you should have slept by this time, or you think that you wasted the day and will not do so tomorrow! All in all the prayers have become a break from the routine to think of what you did and what you will be doing.

I think I recently found a way to work on ones concentration during the prayers (I should have done this long before. will have to be regular atleast from now on to really make it effective). Personally i find it appealing. (yeah! to boost my confidence!). the secret is, sleep a little early in the night..get up an hour or 45mins before fajar time..this should not be tough at all if you sleep early(can be done practically on weekends). make wadhu(ablution) and pray 8 rakaats in denominations of 2. well not much exciting till now ? the other MOST important thing is to read those surahs (chapters) that you have memorized recently...the surahs that do not come automatically from your subconscious mind. this is very important. as soon as you tend to deviate your concentration, you realize that you are derailing in your recitation. you just HAVE to be in prayers to recite, otherwise it stops or goes wrong. also recite a little bit loud..as loud as it is audible to yourself. this technique also encourages one to memorize new surahs. surah yaseen is the best to start with. then surah rehman and others can follow.

well I share this to encourage myself first. and as everyone know, night prayers have atmost significance. so it a gain gain situation for us! and yeah dont forget to make dua(suplication) after your prayers.

May Allah accept from all of us. Ameen.