Mindfulness in Islamic Tradition: A Guide to Salah bi Khushu’

By Imam Ayman Taher
Registered Psychotherapist
www.aifs.ca

Mindfulness, a practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, has roots in various traditions and has gained popularity in the West for its effectiveness in reducing stress, enhancing focus, and improving overall well-being. In Islam, mindfulness is embedded in practices like Salah (prayer) and Quran recitation, offering a unique approach to inner peace and mental clarity (Bahrain University Study on Mindful Salah, 2020).

Cultivating Mindfulness Through Islamic Practices

Islamic mindfulness—Khushu’ in Salah—can serve as a profound method for stress relief and focus. In our tradition, Salah and Quranic recitation not only reinforce a connection to Allah but also provide a space to disconnect from worldly concerns. Salah, approached with Khushu’, transforms prayer into an exercise in mindful presence, inviting a deep focus and disruption of negative thought patterns (Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din).

Visualizing in Salah: Standing Before the Creator

Begin by preparing yourself, mentally and spiritually, for Salah. Visualize yourself standing between the hands of Allah, the Creator of all. This reflection on our smallness before His vastness enhances our sense of awe and humility. This visualization helps us understand our need for Allah’s mercy, anchoring us in focus and sincerity as we stand before Him (Al-Qurtubi, Tafsir Al-Qurtubi).

To further deepen your focus, imagine standing before the Ka’bah, with Jannah (Paradise) to your right and Hellfire to your left. As you raise your hands in Takbir, saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), remind yourself that Allah is greater than any worldly concern or distraction (Al-Bukhari, Sahih Al-Bukhari).

A’udhu Billahi Min Ash-Shaytan Ar-Rajim: Seeking Refuge from Distraction

The first phrase we utter is أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan). This invocation helps us seek Allah’s protection from distractions and negative influences (Quran 16:98). Shaytan is an adversary with unseen influence, yet he is weak against the strength that seeking Allah’s refuge provides (Muslim, Sahih Muslim).

This invocation also calls to mind the example of Ibrahim (AS), who stoned Shaytan to stay true to Allah’s commands, a symbolic act that reminds us of Shaytan’s ultimate weakness. With “A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ar-rajim,” we turn to Allah, drawing from His power to stay focused and connected (Al-Bukhari, Sahih Al-Bukhari).

Beginning With Bismillah: Invoking Allah’s Blessings

The next phrase, بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate), prepares us to recite with Allah’s blessings. By saying “Bismillah” in any action, we invite Allah’s mercy and blessings into our lives, whether in prayer, eating, or daily tasks (Quran 27:30; Ibn Kathir, Tafsir Ibn Kathir).

Reflecting on Al-Fatiha: A Dialogue With Allah

Reciting Al-Fatiha (The Opening) with mindfulness allows us to appreciate each verse as a tool for reflection:

1. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin – “All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all worlds”: We express gratitude, recognizing Allah as our Rabb (Sustainer), much like a parent cares for their child (Quran 1:2; Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din).
2. Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem – “The Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate”: Allah’s mercy in this life and the next is boundless. Reflecting on His Rahma (mercy) reminds us of His care in every aspect of existence (Quran 1:3; Al-Qurtubi, Tafsir).
3. Maliki Yawm al-Din – “Master of the Day of Judgment”: This verse brings accountability into focus. Allah’s mastery over the Day of Judgment encourages us to reflect on our actions and the Day when we will stand before Him (Quran 1:4; Al-Bukhari, Sahih).
4. Iyyaka Na’budu Wa Iyyaka Nasta’in – “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help”: We declare our devotion and reliance solely on Allah, reaffirming our trust in His guidance (Quran 1:5; Ibn Kathir, Tafsir).
5. Ihdina As-Sirat Al-Mustaqeem – “Guide us to the straight path”: Seeking Allah’s guidance, we acknowledge our need for His help in navigating challenges, asking for a path of righteousness (Quran 1:6; Al-Ghazali, Ihya).
6. Sirat Alladhina An’amta ‘Alayhim Ghayri Al-Maghdubi ‘Alayhim Wa La Ad-Dallin – “The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not those who have evoked Your anger or gone astray”: This verse calls us to reflect on past guidance given to the righteous and learn from their example (Quran 1:7; Tafsir Al-Jalalayn).

Salah Bi Khushu’: Transforming Prayer Into Mindfulness

Engaging with Salah as a mindful practice involves contemplating each verse, allowing the words to redirect us away from stress-inducing thoughts. This approach—Salah bi Khushu’—has proven effective for many, as it disrupts negative thought patterns and invites a profound sense of peace. Research, including a study from Bahrain, shows that mindful Salah offers mental and spiritual benefits similar to those found in mindfulness practices like yoga (University of Bahrain Study, 2020).

Quran Recitation as Mindfulness

Mindfulness in Islamic tradition extends to Quran recitation. Reciting with contemplation and reflection enables us to detach from daily anxieties, experiencing a reprieve from stressors by immersing ourselves in Allah’s words. As with Salah, this practice brings us closer to Allah, reinforcing our trust in Him during hardships (Quran 39:23; Ibn Kathir, Tafsir).

In Summary: Salah bi Khushu’ provides a spiritually grounded mindfulness practice, empowering us to find strength, peace, and resilience. Through intentional focus in Salah and Quran recitation, we cultivate a state of presence with Allah, alleviating our anxieties by recognizing our place in His vast creation and relying on His guidance in every moment of our lives.

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih Al-Bukhari. Darussalam Publishers.

Al-Ghazali, M. (n.d.). Ihya Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Religious Sciences). Islamic Texts Society.

Al-Qurtubi, M. (n.d.). Tafsir Al-Qurtubi. Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyyah.

Ibn Kathir, I. (n.d.). Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Dar-us-Salam Publications.

Muslim, I. H. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim. Darussalam Publishers.

University of Bahrain. (2020). The effects of mindful Salah on psychological well-being. University of Bahrain Press.

The Quran. (n.d.). The Holy Quran (various translations).