Allah says in the Qur’an:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ
“Successful indeed are the believers—those who offer their prayers with humility and devotion.”
— Surah Al-Mu’minun: 1, 2
Prayer must not be turned into a mere ritual of bowing, prostrating, and standing. Rather, it is the prayer offered with inner fear, attentiveness, and devotion that is acceptable to Allah.
For indeed, prayer is the key to Paradise. It is mentioned in a Hadith that a prayer offered carelessly will be folded up like an old cloth and thrown back at the face of the person who offered it.
One must fully learn and understand the Fard (obligatory), Wajib (necessary), Sunnah (traditions), and Mustahabb (commendable) acts of prayer. Furthermore, praying in a hurry diminishes the reward of the prayer.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“When any of you stands for prayer, keep all your bodily organs calm and still. Do not sway or move as the Jews do. Indeed, keeping the limbs still during prayer is a part of completing it properly.”
While in prayer, one should not let their gaze wander anywhere except the place of prostration. Moving back and forth while standing in prayer is not allowed. Additionally, actions like adjusting one’s clothes, stroking the beard with the hand, and clearing the throat unnecessarily weaken the prayer.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“If a person offers a prayer at its proper time after performing a good ablution (Wudu), and completes its standing, bowing (Ruku’), and prostration (Sujud) with proper devotion, that prayer turns into a bright, shining light and supplicates for him, saying: ‘May Allah protect you just as you protected me!’
On the contrary, if someone prays past its time without performing a good ablution, and without completing its standing, bowing, and prostration with proper devotion, that prayer turns into a dark, hideous shape and curses him, saying: ‘May Allah ruin you just as you ruined me!'”
— Tabarani
An Inspiring Incident
Once, Hazrat Isam (Rahmatullah Alaih) asked Hatim (Rahmatullah Alaih) of Balkh, “How do you perform your prayer?”
The great saint replied: “When the time for prayer arrives, I perform Wudu very calmly, deliberately, and beautifully. Then, I go to the place of prayer, focus my mind, and imagine as if the Kaaba is right in front of me, my feet are on the bridge of Sirat-ul-Mustaqeem, Paradise is on my right side, Hell is on my left side, and the Almighty Creator is watching my prayer.
I further think that this might be the very last prayer of my life and I may or may not get another opportunity to pray. With this deep thought, I say ‘Allahu Akbar’ in a very humble voice and fold my hands (tie the Takbeer). Then, I recite the Qira’at (Qur’an) with deep contemplation. After that, I perform Ruku’ with humility and then perform Sajdah. Having prayed peacefully in this manner, I conclude my prayer and weep in supplication, hoping for its acceptance by Allah, yet fearing that it might be rejected.”
Hearing this, Hazrat Isam asked, “For how many years have you been praying like this?” He replied, “By the grace of Allah, I have been praying like this for thirty years.”
Upon hearing this, Hazrat Isam began to weep and lament, saying, “Alas! I have not had the opportunity to pray even a single prayer in this manner.”
Crossing in Front of a Praying Person
Crossing in front of those praying in mosques has become very common nowadays. Many do not even consider this a sin. It is a highly condemnable act to pass in front of someone while they are praying. A person praying should stand in a place where no one will cross in front of him, or ensure that there is a barrier (Sutrah) placed before him.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“If the person who passes in front of a praying person knew what guilt he was incurring, he would find it better for him to wait for forty (days, months, or years) than to pass in front of him.”
— Bukhari
Conclusion
Prayer is the very first obligation enjoined upon the servants of Allah. On the Day of Resurrection, the very first accountability will also be regarding prayer. If a person guards and protects their prayer, Allah will safeguard and protect both their worlds (this life and the Hereafter).