It's the Preparation That Counts for a Proper Salat

As Salam Alaikum!

Continuing on the topic of how best to make our Ibadat KHALIS (pure) for Allah SWT,  through this article I would like to briefly present how preparation is the most important aspect. 

In our day to day life, we always try to be at our best behavior but we are more particular when we have to meet someone really important. We try and prepare ourselves as best as possible. We try to ensure that we are thorough with our answers and are aware of whom we are meeting. We remind ourselves again and again that we need to be careful with how we are going to behave, how we are going to perform and how and what we are going to say. We know that our small mistake can be really questioned and carry the potential of spoiling our chances of recognition or reward or whatever we are expecting. Similar is the case when we are going to face any interview. This is how we behave when we have to present ourselves in front of a mortal boss, dignitary, potential employer or some VVIP. 

Now observe, ponder and reflect how we behave when we go before Allah SWT - He Who is the Supreme Power, the Sustainer, Giver, Benevolent and Merciful. We, at least most of us, are very casual in our attitude, action, behavior and our presentation of our own self. We go before Him 5 times a day {according to Prophet Mohammed SAWS Salat is the Momin's Mairaj (Mairaj is the blessed night when our beloved Prophet SAWS was able to meet Allah and see Him i.e. he had His Deedar)} and we are not at the best of our behavior or presentation or preparation. 

Proper prayer of a Momin is that prayer where he is able to see Allah SWT and if that is not possible then at least he has to be aware that Allah is watching him. Here again the kind of Salat which will give us the sweetness, satisfaction and is counted as our vehicle for redemption is only possible once we have done Tark e Duniya the way Prophet Mohammed SAWS and Imam Mahdi Maoud AS has shown us through their own personal example and taught us to do. But we, even before we do Tark e Duniya, can try and perform Salat in the best possible way. And that is to prepare properly whenever we are going to perform our Salat. How?

As discussed in my previous article we need to avoid overcrowding our mind with issues which have no bearing on us and to do that we need to ensure that we avoid spending our time in frivolous, useless and silly activities. Practice the following method and you will feel the difference in your concentration levels during Salat and will taste the unique taste which only comes when we feel satisfied with our Salat. That experience is ethereal and addictive. The method is (are):

If possible, 30 minutes before you are supposed to pray start getting into the prayer mode and mood. Do proper ablution (wudu), wear proper clothes, and keep on doing Zikrullah (one can even recite the Holy Quran). Try to reach the mosque at least 10-15 minutes in advance if you are not doing the ablution in the mosque. The best is to do Zikrullah. So when call for prayer is given you will be standing before Allah for Salat in the state of mind which is already conditioned with the remembrance of Allah and that frame of mind is best. This way when we go before Allah SWT we are prepared to do so. We will  only then truly appreciate the value of every chance we get to present ourselves before Him. And whence our heart is so conditioned and our mind is attuned to Allah SWT we will taste the beauty of Allah's benevolence, mercy and vision. Therefore, preparation does matter. And is the key to proper Salat. 

May Allah make all of us live a life of a Momin and make us all die a life of a Momin. Ameen Summameen Ya Rabb ul Aalameen.

Khudahafiz O Nasir