KHUSHOO IN SALAAH

The Prophet (sallalahu 'alayhi wasallam) said:
"There is no Muslim man who, when the time for a prescribed prayer comes, he does wudoo' properly, has the proper attitude of khushoo', and bows properly, but it will be an expiation for all his previous sins, so long as they were not major sins (kabeerah). And this is the case for life" (Reported by Muslim, 1/206, no. 7/4/2)

The reward recorded is in proportion to the degree of khushoo', as the Prophet (sallalahu 'alayhi wasallam) said:
"A slave may pray and have nothing recorded for it except a tenth of it, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a quarter, or a third, or a half." (Reported by Imam Ahmad; Sahih al-Jaami', 1626).

Only the parts of his prayer where he focused and concentrated properly will be of any avail to him. It was reported that Ibn 'Abbaas (radiyallahu 'anhu) said:
"You will only have from your prayer that which you focused on."Sins will be forgiven if you concentrate properly and have full khushoo', as the Prophet (sallalahu 'alayhi wasallam) said:
"When a slave stands and prays, all his sins are brought and placed on his head and shoulders. Every time he bows or prostrates, some of them fall from him." (Reported by al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubraa, 3/10; see also Sahih al-Jaami')

Al-Manaawi said: "What is meant is that every time a pillar (essential part) of the prayer is completed, part of his sins fall from him, until when he finishes his prayer, all his sins will be removed. This is in a prayer where all the conditions are met and the essential parts are complete. What we understand from the words "slave" and "stands" is that he is standing before the King of Kings [Allah] in the position of a humble slave." (Reported by al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubraa, 3/10; see also Sahih al-Jaami')

The one who prays with khushoo' will feel lighter when he finishes his prayer, as if his burdens have been lifted from him. He will feel at ease and refreshed, so that he will wish he had not stopped praying, because it is such a source of joy and comfort for him in this world. He will keep feeling that he is in a constricting prison until he starts to pray again; he will find comfort in prayer instead of wanting just to get it over and done with.
Those who love prayer say: we pray and find comfort in our prayer, just as their leader, example and Prophet (sallalahu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "O Bilaal, let us find comfort in prayer." He did not say "Let us get it over and done with."- The Prophet (sallalahu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "My joy has been made in prayer." So whoever finds his joy in prayer, how can he bear to look for joy anywhere else, or to keep away from it?(Al-Waabil al-Sayib, 37).

Striving to offer du'a' at the appropriate times during the prayer, especially in sujood
There is no doubt that talking to Allah, humbling oneself before Him, asking things from Him and earnestly seeking His help, all help to strengthen the slave's ties to his Lord and increase his khushoo'. Du'a' is an act of worship, and we are commanded to make du'a'. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): "… call upon Him in humility and in secret…" [al-An'aam 6:63].

The Prophet (sallalahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: "Whoever does not call on Allah, Allah will be angry with him." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, Kitaab al-Da'waat, 1/426; classed as hasan in Sahih al-Tirmidhi, 2686).

How many of us today think of our salaah as a burden that comes 5 times a day, and we pray it so quickly that at the end of it we are huffing and puffing. it has become like a competition, the fastest wins. from reading the above we should all understand the importance of praying slowly and praying with khushoo, and think of it as a blessing and another step towards our goal, our home, PARADISE.

I pray that Allah helps us pray with more khushoo and that Allah the most high grants us Paradise. AMEEN