Thirty Three Ways of developing Khushoo’ in Salaah

Name: Thirty Three Ways of developing Khushoo’ in Salaah
Author: Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Writer: Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid • Sections: 1

Section 33

Not spitting in front of one when praying

This is incompatible with khushoo’ and good manners before Allaah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any one of you is praying, let him not spit in front of himself, for Allaah is before him when he prays.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh, no. 397).

He also said: “When any one of you stands up to pray, he should not spit in front of himself, because he is talking to Allaah – may He be blessed and exalted – as long as he is in his prayer place; and he should not [spit] to his right, because there is an angel on his right. He should spit to his left, or beneath his feet, and bury it.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 416, 1/512).

He said: “When one of you stands to pray, he is talking to his Lord, and his Lord is between him and the qiblah, so none of you should spit in the direction of his qiblah, but to his left or under his feet.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath al-Baari, no. 417, 1/513).

If the mosque is furnished with carpets and so on, as is the norm nowadays, if a person needs to spit, he can take out a handkerchief or whatever, spit into it, and put it away again.

Introduction

Concealment of Khushoo'

Rulings on Khushoo'

The means of developing Khushoo'

Preparing oneself for prayer properly

Moving at a measured pace during prayer

Remembering death whilst praying

Thinking about the aayaat and adhkaar being recited during the prayer and interacting with them

Pausing at the end of each aayah

Reciting in slow, rhythmic tones (tarteel) and making one’s voice beautiful when reciting

Knowing that Allaah responds to prayers

Praying with a barrier (sutrah) in front of one and praying close to it

Placing the right hand on the left hand on the chest

Looking at the place of prostration

Moving the index finger

Varying the soorahs, aayaat, adhkaar and du’aa’s recited in prayer

Performing sujood al-tilaawah when reciting an aayah where this is required

Seeking refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan

Thinking of how the salaf were when they prayed

Knowing the advantages of Khushoo' in Salaah

Striving to offer du’aa’ at the appropriate times during the prayer, especially in sujood

Adhkaar to be recited after prayer

Warding off distractions and things that adversely affect khushoo

Not praying in a garment that has decorations, writing, bright colours or pictures that will distract the worshipper

Not praying when there is food prepared that one wants to eat

Not praying when one needs to answer the call of nature

Not praying when one feels sleepy

Not praying behind someone who is talking (or sleeping)

Not occupying oneself with smoothing the ground in front of one

Not disturbing others with one’s recitation

Not turning around during prayer

Not raising one's gaze to the heavens

Not spitting in front of one when praying

Trying not to yawn when praying

Not putting one’s hands on one’s hips when praying

Not letting one’s clothes hang down (sadl) during prayer

Not resembling animals

When a person suffers a great deal of waswaas

Conclusion

Thirty Three Ways of developing Khushoo’ in Salaah

Not spitting in front of one when praying