Achieving consistency in prayer is essential for spiritual growth and fulfillment. Follow these simple steps to establish lasting prayer habits.
To understand why Salah (prayer) is important, we must look at Islam’s five pillars. Salah is one of these pillars. Your prayers are your daily communication with Allah (SWT). When you stand in prayer in your room, you initiate a conversation with Allah (SWT).
Even if you are alone in that room, the truth is, you are not. You enter a realm where it is just you and Allah (SWT). Your mind enters a state of peace where stress and worldly distractions are relieved. Your physical well-being improves through the movements of the prayers.
Salah must be performed five times every day at the appointed time consistently, and there are no excuses, whether due to pregnancy, illness, participation in a war battle, or traveling. It is mandatory for Muslims.
There are times in our lives when we neglect Salah for worldly matters, and we should always strive to never miss a single prayer. Keep in mind that the Dunya is a test and not our final destination. Let´s work for our Akhira in this life and neglect the worldly matters more than our prayers.
Benefits of Salah includes:
- Builds strong defense against all evil
- Act of worship
- Second and most important pillar of Islam
- Practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah
- The only distinction between a Muslim and a non-Muslim
- Reminds you of Allah (SWT)
- Direct contact or link between the worshipper and Allah (SWT)
- Wipes out our sins
- Spiritual nourishment
- Salah is the last will of the Prophet (PBUH)
- Salah is the first thing that a person is judged by on the Day of Judgement
Source: JannatalQuran
Step 1: Mindset Adjustment
Develop a positive attitude towards prayer and set clear intentions for your spiritual practice. Overcoming procrastination and excuses begins with a shift in mindset.
Understand why Salah is important by establishing a clear acknowledgement about why Allah has made Salah mandatory for us. As soon as these are known and understand, there will be little to no procrastination to stand in Salah in the appointed time.
Step 2: Establish a Routine
Create a daily prayer schedule that integrates seamlessly into your life. Use reminders and time management techniques to stay on track with your prayer commitments.
Planning your day around the due times of each prayer comes with great rewards. Here’s a list of tips on how to organize your day to ensure you pray each Salah at its appointed time:
Utilize a Prayer App
Downloading a prayer app on your phone ensures you always have access to the due times for each Salah.
Consider using apps like iBønn, which provides relevant information such as prayer times, Dua’s, a compass, Allah (SWT) 99 names, relevant information from your Mosque, and more. By incorporating this into your daily routine, planning around Salah becomes much easier.
Prioritize Fajr Prayer
Fajr prayers can be challenging, especially for those who struggle with waking up early. If staying awake all night is difficult, consider taking a short nap between Asr and Maghrib prayers. Trust in Allah’s assistance to wake you up on time, and you’ll likely find success in maintaining consistency.
Accommodate Prayer at Work
If you work outside your home, ensure you have necessary prayer items with you, such as a prayer mat and attire. Request short breaks from your employer for each appointed prayer time, as religious obligations are typically accommodated in the workplace.
Manage Your Time Effectively
Allocate time for essential activities such as eating, exercising, family time, and tasks throughout the day, ensuring they fit between each prayer slot.
With approximately 3-4 hours between most prayers, including time for ablution (wudu) and Salah, you’ll find ample opportunities to accomplish your daily tasks.
Remember, there are 24 hours in a day, and dedicating around 75 minutes to Salah is a small portion of your time. Reflect on the importance of prayer in feeding the soul, fulfilling religious obligations, and seeking assistance in both this life and the hereafter.
Step 3: Utilize Technology
Leverage prayer apps and digital reminders to support your prayer routine. Technology can be a valuable tool in maintaining consistency and accountability.
In the time of our Prophet (PBUH), Muslims had to pray constantly with 50 daily obligatory prayers each day. How come some of us struggle to perform just 5 daily prayers, spending less than 75 minutes of our precious time for our creator?
Reflect on this, and you will find the motivation to prioritize your prayers. For many, including myself, the best motivation comes from understanding that prayers nourish the soul, are the first thing we’ll be asked about in the hereafter, and provide assistance both in this life and the hereafter.
Step 4: Seek Community Support
Join a Mosque or connect with accountability partners who can provide encouragement and motivation. This could be your friends, family members or people from the Mosque. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals enhances your commitment to prayer.
Step 5: Overcome Challenges
Adapt your prayer routine to overcome common challenges such as travel, illness, or busy schedules.
Flexibility and perseverance are key to maintaining consistency in prayer. Read more Quran and perform Istigfar as these will limit your chances to miss your Salah. Learning and memorizing new Surah can also lead to more motivation to stand up in prayer.
Step 6: Get Cute Prayer Attire (bonus)
I used to wear regular clothes after immigrating to the West. My parents were not strict about what I wore, as I was in a learning process at the age of around six. They allowed me to pray in nice clothing, and I did not cover my hair.
Now, in my 20s, I am more conscious of what I wear when I pray. I prefer a beautiful prayer dress with a matching hijab. A vibrant-colored prayer gown makes me feel as beautiful as I am standing before Allah (SWT). Dressing up to meet your Creator is more important than how I look in my home in comfortable clothes.
My prayer attire definitely needs an update. This includes Prayer Mat, and Tasbih Beads Set. I have been searching online for suitable, comfortable, and affordable prayer attire. The ones I have linked to are available as a full set, including a Floral Zipper Tote, a Hijab, and a Digital Counter. They are all pink and matching, and easily accessible to everyone around the world through Amazon.
Having nice and modest prayer attire is essential and it provides great motivation to get up for prayer, especially if you haven’t yet reached the state of being consistent with your Salah.
Here is one option of a beautiful beige Prayer Dress with Tasbih Beads and a Prayer Mat that comes in a set. This is a different option of a Cherry Prayer Dress Set with Tasbih Beads. Last mentioned, I have one myself in lavender.
Conclusion:
By following these easy steps and staying focused on your spiritual goals, you can establish consistent prayer habits that enrich your life and deepen your connection with Allah (SWT).
References: JannatalQuran
Suggested reading: Unlock the Secret to Fluent Arabic with 9 Insider Tips for Rapid Language Mastery
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