The ruling on prayer without khushu' and how to attain it

Question:
May Allah reward you with good. The questioner asks and says: Is the prayer valid if there is no khushu' in it? And how does one attain khushu' in prayer? Sometimes I lose this great quality, so is my prayer valid?

Answer:
The prayer is valid if one performs its pillars, and if one performs its conditions, pillars, and obligations, it is valid in form. However, khushu' is the spirit of the prayer and what is sought. A servant is not credited with any of his prayer except what his heart was present for in it. But he is not ordered to repeat it, because khushu' is a matter that does not occur except by the success of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. However, a person should avoid the distracting causes that occupy him from khushu', such as praying while holding in one of the two excretions, urine or feces, or praying in the presence of food that he desires, or praying with something in front of him that distracts him. He should avoid the distracting causes that disturb him and take away his khushu'. He should do the causes, and the attainment of khushu' is in the hand of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. But if he does the causes and keeps in mind the greatness of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, this will bring him khushu'. Yes.