Allah the Exalted said: "The Believers will prosper. Those who are humble and submissive in their prayers (Khaashi’oon).
Below are some examples, which we should read with contemplation and thought, in order to see the manner of the prayer of those who have been set as an example for us.
Al-Hasan (RA) said, “When u stand for the prayer stand with a devout frame of mind as Allah has commanded you. Beware of forgetfulness and turning (your attention) away so that while Allah looks at you, you are looking at other things besides Him. You ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge in Him from the Hell fire while your heart is not present and you are not aware of what your tongue is uttering.”
Ibn e Seereen (RA) said, “They (those before him from among the companions and taabi’een) used to love that a man looks at the place of prostration in his prayer.” Maimoon bin Mahraan said, “I never saw Muslim bin Yassaar turning around in his prayer.”
Once a section of the mosque fell down. The people in the market got scared on account of that yet he (Muslim bin Yassaar) was still in the mosque engaged in his prayer and did not turn away from it (his attention did not escape from it). When Abdullah bin Zubair (RA) used to pray, it was as if he was a branch of a tree due to his khushoo’, and birds used to stop on him thinking he was a tree.
Ali bin al-Humraan would turn red whenever he performed wudhoo. It was asked of him, “What is it that you recall while performing wudhoo?” He replied by saying, “Do you know in front of whom I wish to stand?”
Some of the Salaf used to say, “The prayer is from the Hereafter so when you enter it you leave the world.”
Among the things that bring about Khushoo’ in the prayer is Remembrance of Death.
Anas (RA) said, “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, ‘Remember death within your prayer because when a man remembers death in his prayer he strives to beautify his prayer, and pray the prayer of a man who does not think that he will perform another prayer after it. Take caution and an excuse is sought for every affair.’” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) has ordered the Muslims to remember death during their prayers because death is the mean of beautifying the prayer. The thought of death creates apprehension in the souls and by it the actions are sealed. What comes after it is even more frightening. Where is the escape from the compression of the grave? And what will our response be when we are questioned in the grave?
Furthermore, we do not know where our destination is, to a garden whose width is as that of the heavens and the earth (InshaAllah) or to the fire whose fuel is men and stones (Astaghfirullah). Thus does the servant imagine the visions of death and what comes after it, so he prays the prayer of a man who doesn’t think that he will perform a prayer after it. He, therefore, beautifies his prayer, counts himself amongst the dead, prepares his shroud, writes his will and returns the rights to those who own them. When he wakes up he does not wait for the evening and when he reaches the evening he does not wait for the morning.
In this manner he comes to perform the prayer, humble, submissive, and weeping. Between fear and hope he faces the Hereafter and he bids farewell to the world. It is a farewell prayer and a prayer of farewell. By it he says farewell to his family, parents, brothers and his dearest and nearest ones, in fact the whole world. And here he says “Allah Hu Akbar” - Allah is Greatest- indeed He is greatest than and of all. He belittles this world and deems it insignificant.
Then he (the man) makes one of the opening supplications and says, “O Allah make my sins distant from me as you have made the east and west distant from each other.” He visualizes the remoteness of the east from the west then he brings to mind whatever he can from among his sins and mistakes which his back carries. He fears that he will meet Allah - Subhana Wa’Taa’la - in this state and that death will pass him before he has repented; so he calls with this supplication, certain and convinced that it will be answered. He reflects upon the meaning of all that he utters during his prayer, bringing to mind the Greatness and Might of Allah - Subhana Wa’Taa’la - in his heart, tears welling from his eyes because Paradise and Hellfire have become evidently closer to him than his shoelace.
He personifies the saying of the Messenger (SAW), “Pray a farewell prayer as if you see Him, He certainly sees you.” It is essential to be observant of Allah - Subhana Wa’Taa’la - so that the matter of prayer is set aright and that the world is placed behind our backs. If a person knew that his words are being heard and that they reach the King without a doubt what then will he say? And how will he speak? Will you not see him weighing his letters and words? How will it be for the one who stands erect in front of the All Hearer, the All Seer, and All Knowing, the One from whom no secret his hidden?
Ya Muslimeens and Momineens, indeed something to think about which carries long term implications