This... is everything!!!
By Hisham Abu Yusuf | 2026-10-07T19:08:52.604264+00:00 | Topic: Prayer | Masjid: Hisham Abu Yusuf
Summary
The Essence of True Prayer
- Allah describes true believers in the Quran.
- Their first characteristic: finding 'khushu'' in their Salah.
- 'Khushu'' means humility, focus, and a deep connection to Allah.
Quality Over Quantity in Salah
- Ramadan's greatest achievement isn't just the number of rak'ahs prayed.
- Two rak'ahs with 'khushu'' are better than 100 without it.
- Focus on humility, connectedness, love, and fear of Allah in your prayer.
The Believers' Success (Quran 23:1-2)
- This verse opens with a declaration of success for the believers.
- It immediately links their success to 'khushu'' in their prayer.
Defining True Success
- 'Khushu'' is the defining characteristic of a truly successful believer.
- It's about the inner state and presence of heart, not just the outward act of prayer.
The Burden of Prayer Without Khushu'
- Without 'khushu'', Salah can feel heavy, boring, and exhausting.
- It becomes a tiring obligation rather than a source of peace.
- 'Khushu'' is what enlivens the prayer experience and makes it meaningful.
Seeking Help Through Prayer (Quran 2:45)
- Allah instructs us to seek help through patience and prayer.
- This verse highlights a universal challenge associated with prayer itself.
The Essence of True Prayer
When Allah describes the true believers in the Quran, the first description He gives them — the true believers are successful — but who are they? They are the people who find khushu', humility and focus and connection to Allah in their Salah.
The greatest thing that we achieve this Ramadan is not praying eight rak'ahs every night, or 20, or 46. Even two rak'ahs prayed with khushu' — with humility and connectedness and the love and the fear of Allah — is better than 100 rak'ahs prayed without that khushu'.
"Indeed, the believers have succeeded — those who in their prayer have khushu'."
Allah says that the Salah that we pray — it will feel heavy, boring, exhausting, tiring — unless you enliven that Salah with khushu'.
"And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden — except for those who have khushu'."