33 Ways of Developing Khushoo’ in Salaah
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PAUSING AT THE END OF EACH AAYAH This is more helpful in understanding and thinking about the meaning, and it is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) described how the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would recite, “Bismillah il-Rahmaan il-Raheem”, and according to one report, he would pause, then say, “Al-hamdu Lillaahi Rabbi’l‘Aalameen, al-Rahmaan, al-Raheem.” Then according to one report, he would pause, then say, “Maaliki yawm il-deen,” and he would break up his recitation aayah by aayah. (Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 4001; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwaa’, where its isnaads are described. 2/60).
Pausing at the end of each aayah is Sunnah even if the meaning continues into the next aayah. [Back to Contents]
RECITING IN SLOW, RHYTHMIC TONES (TARTEEL) AND MAKING ONE’S VOICE BEAUTIFUL WHEN RECITING
As Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… and recite the Qur’aan (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.” [al-Muzzammil 73:4]. The recitation of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was clear, with each letter pronounced distinctly.” (Musnad Ahmad, 6/294, with a saheeh isnaad. Sifat al-Salaah, p. 105).
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) “would recite a soorah in such slow rhythmic tones that it would be longer than would seem possible.” (Reported by Muslim, no. 733).
This slow, measured pace of recitation is more conducive to reflection and khushoo’ than a hurried, hasty reading. Another way of helping oneself to have khushoo’ is by making one’s voice beautiful when reciting. This is something that was advised by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as when he said, “Beautify the Qur’aan with your voices, for a fine voice increases the Qur’aan in beauty.” (Reported by al-Haakim, 1/575; Saheeh alJaami’, no. 3581).
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