How do I increase in presence of heart in prayer?

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

May His blessings and peace be on His Beloved Prophet, the best of creation, and his family, companions, and followers

The person praying can have reverence (khushu`) if they bring to mind that they are standing before the Lord of Lord, who knows secrets and that which is yet more hidden; and to entreat Him, while aware that Allah may manifest Himself with His overwhelming power if one does not fulfill His rights of Lordship, and thus reject one’s prayer—as mentioned by Allama Ibn Hajar in al-Tuhfa [the definitive commentary on Imam Nawawi’s Minhaj]. From this it is known that lack of reverence (khushu`) in prayer reduces the prayer’s reward.

One should also bring to mind Allah’s praise for those reverent in prayer, such as His saying,

“Successful indeed are the believers

Who are reverent in their prayers,” [Qu’ran, 23.1-2]

Among the things that help in having reverence in prayer is:

a) To clear one’s hearts of worldly worries and concerns before entering prayer. This may be achieved by busying oneself a little with remembrance of Allah or Qur’anic recital before praying.

b) To pray in a place far from worldly talk and other matters that distract one.

c) Not to pray on [f: or near] something that distracts one’s attention, such as a decorated prayer rug.

The questioner should read the words of Imam Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him) in his Ihya’ regarding the prayer and its inner realities—they will find marvels there.

[f: Ustadh Muhtar Holland translated some of the relevant sections in Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship (published by Islamic Foundation)]

And Allah alone gives success.

- Amjad Rasheed.
Tarim, Hadramawt (Yemen).

(Translated by Faraz Rabbani)

السؤال: كيف أزداد خشوعاً في صلاتي ؟

الجواب : يمكن للمصلي تحصيل الخشوع أو زيادته بأن يستحضر بأنه بين يدي ملك الملوك الذي يعلم السرَّ وأخفى ويناجيه وأنه ربما تجلى عليه بالقهر لعدم قيامه بحق ربوبيته فردَّ عليه صلاته كما قاله العلامة ابن حجر في "التحفة" ، ومن ذلك أن يعلم أن عدم الخشوع يذهب بأجر الصلاة ، وليستحضر ثناء الله سبحانه على الخاشعين في الصلاة بقوله : ( قد أفلح المؤمنون الذين هم في صلاتهم خاشعون ) ، ومما يعين على الخشوع أن يفرغ المصلي قلبَه من شواغل الدنيا وهمومها قبل الدخول في الصلاة وذلك بأن يشتغل مثلاً بذكر وقراءة قرآن قبلها ، وأن يصلي في موضع بعيد عن كلام الناس ونحوه مما يشوش عليه، وأن لا يصلي على ما يلهيه كسجاد مزركش ، وليراجع السائل كلام الإمام الغزالي رحمه الله في "الإحياء" حول الصلاة وأسرارها فإنه أتى فيه بالعجب العجاب من أمرها .