Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
The Question
How can one develop khushu‘ (humility and focus) while reciting the Qur’an?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh.
Khushu‘ during prayer and Qur’an recitation is a highly important and desirable act because:
- Khushu‘ is the core and essence of ṣalāh.
- It means the heart is fully turned towards Allah and away from all distractions.
If One Loses Focus
When a person feels his heart is wandering or occupied with thoughts that take him away from khushu‘, he should immediately recite:
﴿أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ﴾
“I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shayṭān.”
This is exactly what the Prophet ﷺ instructed to do.
Shayṭān’s Interference in Prayer
- Shayṭān makes every effort to corrupt a person’s worship—especially ṣalāh.
- After the two testimonies of faith (shahādatayn), prayer is the most virtuous act, so Shayṭān attacks it more than anything else.
- He whispers to the worshipper:
- “Remember this…”
- “Think about that…”
- These thoughts are useless:
- They neither benefit a person
- Nor do they remain in mind after prayer
The Solution
- Always strive to turn your heart back to Allah.
- Whenever a distracting thought comes—whether in:
- rukūʿ,
- tashahhud,
- qaʿdah,
- or any part of prayer—immediately recite the taʿawwudh.
The Most Effective Way to Attain Khushu‘
- Constantly remember that you are standing before Allah.
- Realize that you are conversing privately with your Lord.
Conclusion:
By remembering the presence of Allah, and seeking refuge from Shayṭān whenever distractions arise, a believer can maintain a deep sense of khushu‘ in prayer and Qur’an recitation.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
