What should I do to avoid intrusive thoughts in prayer and perform it with tranquility?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, intrusive thoughts often come to me during prayer, and I rush through performing it despite my awareness that this is wrong. What should I do to avoid these intrusive thoughts in my prayer and perform it with tranquility? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
First, you must have the presence of the heart in prayer, and be aware of the greatness of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and the greatness of the position in which you are standing. So, if you bring to mind the greatness of Allah in whose presence you are, that will bring you humility and remove the intrusive thoughts from you. Second, seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan at the beginning of the prayer, after the opening takbir, with the presence of the heart. Whoever seeks refuge in Allah, Allah will protect him. Third, you must cut off these intrusive thoughts, not persist with them, and not comply with them, and turn to your prayer.
Fourth, you must not pray while your mind is distracted. For example, being preoccupied with something, or with sleep, or in a state of extreme heat or extreme cold. These are things that distract the mind in prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: urination and defecation, which indicates that a person should avoid things that distract him in his prayer, and that he should prepare for prayer with a present heart, free from all preoccupations, turning to his prayer in the best state. Yes. May Allah reward you with good and may He do you good.