How can we attain khushu' in prayer and when reciting the Qur'an in it and otherwise, and what is the ruling on closing the eyes in prayer?
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The questioner : How can we attain khushu' in prayer and when reciting the Qur'an in it and otherwise? And what is the ruling on closing the eyes in prayer? ... .
The Shaykh : Khushu' in prayer is the spirit of the prayer and its essence. Khushu' means the presence of the heart, so that the heart of the one praying does not wander to the right or to the left. If a person feels something that distracts him from khushu', let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded. There is no doubt that Shaytan is eager to spoil all of a person's acts of worship, especially prayer, which is the best of acts of worship after the two testimonies. He comes to a person in his prayer and says, "Remember such and such, remember such and such," and causes him to dwell on thoughts that are of no benefit to him, which vanish from his mind as soon as he finishes the prayer.
So a person must strive with utmost effort to turn his attention to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in his prayer. If he feels these whispers, let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, even if he is in ruku' or in sujud or in sitting, or in standing.
So one of the greatest causes is for a person to realize that he is standing before Allah and that he is conversing with his Lord. If he feels something, let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan until Allah (Mighty and Majestic) removes it.
The Shaykh : Khushu' in prayer is the spirit of the prayer and its essence. Khushu' means the presence of the heart, so that the heart of the one praying does not wander to the right or to the left. If a person feels something that distracts him from khushu', let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded. There is no doubt that Shaytan is eager to spoil all of a person's acts of worship, especially prayer, which is the best of acts of worship after the two testimonies. He comes to a person in his prayer and says, "Remember such and such, remember such and such," and causes him to dwell on thoughts that are of no benefit to him, which vanish from his mind as soon as he finishes the prayer.
So a person must strive with utmost effort to turn his attention to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in his prayer. If he feels these whispers, let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, even if he is in ruku' or in sujud or in sitting, or in standing.
So one of the greatest causes is for a person to realize that he is standing before Allah and that he is conversing with his Lord. If he feels something, let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan until Allah (Mighty and Majestic) removes it.