Khushu’ (خشوع)

What is Khushu’ (خشوع) in Prayer (Namaz)?

Author: Shahid Hassan

Khushu’ (خشوع) in Salah refers to a profound sense of humility, concentration, and surrender to Allah. It represents the spiritual core of the prayer—where the heart is engaged, the mind is focused, and the body mirrors this humble state.

One of Iblees’s most dangerous strategies is to distract people from Salah by any means possible, and to whisper to them during their prayer in order to rob them of its sweetness and reduce their reward. Since Khushu’ will be the first aspect of faith to vanish from the earth—and as we are living in the latter times—the words of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) hold special relevance:

“The first thing you will lose from your religion is Khushu’, and the last thing you will lose is Salah. A person may still be praying, yet there is no good in him. Soon, you will enter a mosque and not find a single person with Khushu’.”

Salah is the most significant physical act of worship in Islam, and maintaining Khushu’ during it is a requirement in Islamic law. When Iblees, the enemy of Allah, pledged to lead the children of Adam astray, he declared:

Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them, and from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful (to You).
Surah Al-A‘rāf (7:16–17)

Iblees also said this:

“[Iblees] said: ‘So by Your might, I will surely mislead them all, except Your chosen servants among them.’”
Surah Saad (38:82–83)

Khushu’ originates in the heart, and its presence is reflected through the actions of the body. The limbs and senses follow the direction of the heart—so if the heart becomes distracted or influenced by the whispers of Shaytan, the outward acts of worship will also become flawed. The heart can be compared to a king, with the body’s faculties as his soldiers who carry out his commands. If the king is overthrown, the soldiers are left in disarray—just as the body loses its proper worship when the heart lacks sincere devotion.

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to warn, “Beware of false Khushu’.” When asked what that meant, he explained, “It is when a person’s body appears humble, but there is no humility or focus in the heart.” Similarly, Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Ayad (may Allah have mercy on him) said that it was disliked for someone to outwardly display more Khushu’ than what truly existed in their heart. One of the early scholars once noticed a man physically displaying signs of Khushu’ through his posture and movements. He said to him, “O so-and-so, true Khushu’ is in the heart,” pointing to his chest, “not in the shoulders,” as he pointed to the man’s outward behavior.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) explained the difference between genuine Khushu’ and hypocritical Khushu’. He said that true Khushu’ comes from a heart that is deeply aware of and humbled by Allah’s majesty and greatness. It is filled with awe, fear, modesty, love, and a sense of gratitude for Allah’s blessings, as well as a recognition of one’s own sins. This deep inner state causes the heart to be completely submissive and broken before Allah—and naturally, this inner humility is reflected in the body’s actions during prayer.

On the other hand, hypocritical Khushu’ is merely an outward display. It appears impressive to others, but the heart remains unaffected and disconnected from true humility.

One of the Companions used to say, “I seek Allah’s protection from false Khushu’.” When asked what he meant by that, he explained, “It is when the body shows signs of humility, but the heart lacks true Khushu’.” A person who genuinely experiences Khushu’ before Allah no longer feels overwhelmed by physical desires. His heart is cleansed and illuminated by the awareness of Allah’s greatness. His personal desires fade away due to the deep fear and reverence that fills his heart. As a result, his body becomes calm, his heart becomes dignified and at peace through the remembrance of Allah, and a sense of tranquility descends upon him from his Lord. Such a person becomes truly humble before Allah—and real humility comes from a heart that is at ease and content in its connection with Him.

“Khushu in prayer occurs when a person clears their heart of distractions, concentrates fully on the prayer, and gives it priority over everything else. Only then can they truly experience peace and joy through it.”

One of the advantages of Khushu‘ is that it helps make prayer easier and lighter for a person. As Allah mentions in Surah Al-Baqarah:

What is the ruling on Khushu‘ (humble focus) in prayer?

Khushu‘ is required in prayer. This includes being calm and focused. A person who quickly pecks the ground in Sujud (like a crow) isn’t showing Khushu‘. Also, if someone doesn’t fully straighten up after bowing (Ruku‘) or doesn’t pause before going into Sujud, they are not calm. Being calm means moving slowly and thoughtfully. So if someone rushes, they lack calmness—and without calmness, there is no Khushu‘ in bowing or prostration. And someone who doesn’t have Khushu‘ in prayer is committing a sin.

Another reason Khushu‘ is seen as obligatory is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against not having it—like when someone looks up at the sky during prayer, which goes against the focus and humility that Khushu‘ requires

How to increase and strengthen Khushu‘ (focus and humility) in prayer?

1. Get ready for prayer properly – clean yourself and prepare your heart and mind.

2. Pray slowly and calmly – don’t rush through the movements.

3. Think about death while praying – it helps you realize how important the prayer is.

4. Pay attention to the words being said – understand and connect with what you’re reciting.

5. Pause at the end of each verse – don’t rush from one to the next.

6. Recite slowly and beautifully – make your voice gentle and clear.

7. Remember that Allah listens and responds to your prayers.

8. Pray with a barrier (Sutrah) in front of you – it helps you stay focused and avoid distractions.

9. Look at the place where you will prostrate – it keeps your eyes and mind from wandering.

10. Change up the Surahs, verses, and Duas you recite – this keeps your prayer fresh and meaningful.

Things to avoid before and during prayer:

1. Remove anything that might distract you – like noisy objects or messy surroundings.

2. Don’t wear clothes with decorations, writing, bright colors, or pictures – they can take your focus away.

3. Don’t pray if food you want to eat is ready – it’s better to eat first so you can focus.

4. Don’t pray if you need to go to the bathroom – relieve yourself first.

5. Don’t pray when you’re very sleepy – rest a little before praying.

6. Don’t pray behind someone who is talking or sleeping – it can break your focus.

7. Don’t keep brushing or fixing the ground in front of you – it’s distracting.

8. Don’t recite loudly if it disturbs others – be mindful of people nearby.

9. Don’t turn around or look around during prayer – keep your eyes focused.

10. Don’t look up at the sky while praying – look at the place of sujood instead.

11. Don’t spit in front of you while praying.

12. Try not to yawn – cover your mouth if you have to.

13. Don’t place your hands on your hips while praying.

14. Don’t let your clothes hang down loosely in a careless way (Sadl) – dress properly and neatly.

Summary:

Salah is the most important act of worship in Islam and the first deed we will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment. To gain its true benefit, we must not just pray but also concentrate (have khushu’) in it. Many of us pray quickly, with our minds distracted, forgetting that Salah is our direct conversation with Allah.

Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:

Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salah with all humility and full concentration (khushu’).
(Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:1–2)

The Prophet ﷺ also warned about neglecting attention in Salah:

A man may finish his prayer, and nothing of it is recorded for him except a tenth of it, or a ninth of it, or an eighth of it, or a seventh of it… until half of it.
(Sunan Abu Dawood 796)

This means the reward depends on how much focus and sincerity we bring to our Salah.

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

The first thing the servant will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is his Salah. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is corrupt, then the rest of his deeds will be corrupt.
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi 413)

Therefore, we should:

• Remove distractions before praying.

• Remind ourselves that we are standing before Allah, the King of all kings.

• Pray calmly, without rushing.

• Reflect on the meanings of the verses we recite.

Salah is not a burden; it is our greatest source of peace and strength. The more we concentrate in our Salah, the more it will transform our hearts and lives

Written By:

Shahid Hassan (MPhil, PhD Student)