Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Salat (Prayer): The Mode of Divine Proximity and Recognition Humility, Modesty and Concentration in Salat After reading the Takbirat ul Ihram and Dua e tawajjuh and turning your attention towards Allah, if you so desire, continue the Salat by reciting the Istighatha - ( اَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْم I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaitan ) that you may seek protection from the whisperings of the devil in Allah and dominate him through His grace.
Thereafter, you can proceed with the recitation of Surah Hamd, the second surah, bowing, prostration, qunoot, tasbihat, tashahud and salam , in the order prescribed. While performing the aforementioned actions, strive to synchronize your limbs with your heart so that just as the latter has become humble and modest, each part of the body feels lowly, meek and submissive in the presence of the Almighty Creator.
Therefore, it is necessary that you gather all your attention, do not pay attention to what is going around you, and distance yourself from anything that diverts your attention. To achieve success in this, endeavor to find a lonely, simple and unattractive place. Fix such a time for your Salat when your thoughts are soothed and relaxed, and there remains no room for laziness, physically as well as psychologically.
It is also necessary that you obey the instructions of the infallible Imams (peace be upon them) concerning the methods of qiy’am , bowing, prostration, tashhud and salam . For, these instructions are indeed very effective for concentration and humility. Moreover, recite the wordings slowly and try to pay utmost attention to their meanings and concepts unfailingly. Allah the Almighty says, قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلاَتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ.
“Surely the believers are successful; those who are humble in their prayers.” (Qur’an, 23:1-2) يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلاةَ وَ أَنْتُمْ سُكَارى حَتّى تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ “O ye who believe! Do not go near prayers while you are in an intoxicated condition till you know what you are saying.” (Qur’an, 4:43) Imam Al-Baqir (‘a) explains, لا تَقُمْ إِلى الصَّلاةِ مُتَكَاسِلاً وَ لاَ مُتَنَاعِساً وَ لا مُتَثَاقِلاً. فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ خَلَلِ النِّفَاقِ.
وَإِنَّ اللهَ نَهَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْ يَقُومُوا إِلى الصَّلاةِ وَ هُمْ سُكَارى. يَعْنِي مِنَ النَّوْمِ. “Do not stand for prayers lazily, yawning or feeling heavy (i.e. considering it to be a burden).