{"id":10900,"date":"2022-04-03T12:14:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-03T12:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onepathnetwork.com\/?p=10900"},"modified":"2022-08-17T01:06:40","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T01:06:40","slug":"how-to-improve-your-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onepathnetwork.com\/au\/spirituality\/how-to-improve-your-prayer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Improve Your Prayers"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/amp-jwplayer>\n\n\n\n

8 Ways to Improve your Prayer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Muslims are required to establish ritual prayers 5 times a day at specified times. Praying is a way to communicate, thank and remember Allah. However, many struggles with maintaining their prayers, completing them on time, or staying focused throughout. Here are some tips on how to improve your prayers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purity through Wudu<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ablution is required before prayer and it is a form of physical cleansing. However, you can also use it as a form of cleansing yourself; mentally and spiritually. When one is doing Wudu, they must make the intention that they are doing it to purify themselves, so that they can stand before Allah \ufdfb and pray to Him. When we wash our face, including our mouth and eyes, we can think of it as a way of cleaning yourself from any sinful acts, that you may have said or seen. This concept can be similarly implemented when washing our hands and feet. Wiping our head can be a way of purifying yourself from immoral thoughts. This should be done with true intentions of improvements to our religion<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pray on Time<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When one prays on time, this means that they have left all worldly affairs and dedicated this time to Allah \ufdfb, as we all should. This also falls under purifying our souls and working on improving yourself. Never let your daily affairs interrupt your prayer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, by praying on time, Allah \ufdfb will provide you with blessings in everything you do thereafter. You will also feel at ease, as Allah \ufdfb states in the Quran:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u275dThose who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah . Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured<\/span>.<\/span><\/i>\u275e<\/p>Quran, 13:28<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Contemplate what you\u2019re Reciting<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By making an effort to understand the verses that you are reciting, you will be able to form a deep connection with Allah \ufdfb and His words in the Quran. Moreover, contemplating the words you say and the actions that you complete throughout your prayer allows you to maintain focus and remember your purpose in this life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pray in congregation<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Praying in the congregation<\/a> not only creates a sense of unity with those you pray with but also increases your rewards!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prophet Muhammad \ufdfa  said:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u275dThe prayer in <\/span><\/i>congregation<\/i><\/b> is <\/span><\/i>twenty seven times superior <\/i><\/b>to the prayer offered by person alone<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u275e<\/p>Sahih Muslim<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In congregational prayer, Muslims stand in rows and all distinctions are set aside. Race, social status, culture, and languages do not matter when you stand in front of Allah \ufdfb, as nobility is only in terms of righteousness. Congregational prayer creates discipline, time-consciousness and a sense of direction. Further, meeting others sows seeds of friendship and engenders hope and courage for the Muslim Ummah.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eliminate distractions <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Try to pray in a quiet place, where you know there will be no distractions. Distractions are not only on your phone or your business but can also be from your family and children!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allah \ufdfb warns us of this in the Quran, and speaks directly to the believers:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u275dO you who have believed,<\/span> let not<\/b> your <\/span>wealth<\/b> and your <\/span>children<\/b> divert<\/b> you <\/span>from remembrance of Allah<\/b> . And whoever does that – then <\/span>those are the losers<\/b>.<\/span>\u275e<\/p>Quran, 63:9<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This is crucial, as far too often parents, especially mothers, will choose to attend to their children (in circumstances where the child can wait) before their prayers. This can lead them to either missing the prayer or praying it very late, which is not recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take your time<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you pray, take your time! Remember that Allah \ufdfb is in control of the situation you might be rushing to. More importantly, remember that you are standing in front of the lord of the worlds! Relieve yourself of the stresses of your life and take comfort in your prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allah \ufdfb warns us against those who pray without giving salah the attention and time it deserves:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u275dSo <\/span><\/i>woe to those who pray<\/i><\/b> [But] who <\/span><\/i>are heedless<\/i><\/b> of their prayer <\/span><\/i>–<\/span>\u275e<\/p>

Quran, 107:5-6<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Follow the Sunnah<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Frequently, we may neglect the teachings of our prophet and only complete the required, compulsory prayer. However, we must follow the Sunnah. This can be done by praying the voluntary prayers which will directly increase our rewards and further our connection with Allah \ufdfb. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following are some of the optional prayers we can complete before\/after the compulsory ones:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n