If the president invited you to a private meeting, you’d prepare. You’d dress your best, you’d be careful with your words, you’d show up on time. You wouldn’t rush it, check your phone halfway through, or let your mind wander. You’d be fully present, because you’d know how rare and important that moment is.
But every single day, five times a day, the King of all Kings invites us to meet with Him. The One who sees everything we carry, our pain, our stress, our quiet duas, even the ones we can’t say out loud. And yet… we rush.
Sometimes before we even say Allahu Akbar, our minds are already miles away. Planning what to cook. Thinking about something someone said. Replaying old conversations like voice notes in our heads. Creating contents… We’re standing there physically, but emotionally and mentally somewhere else entirely.
Solah is meant to be our place of peace. A moment of pause from the noise. A space to stand in front of the One who already knows everything, and still wants to hear it from us. But sometimes, I finish my prayer and realise; I don’t even remember what I recited.
And I won’t lie to you… I still struggle with khushoo’.
It’s not that I don’t want to focus. I do. I really do. But my mind will sha go somewhere sha ni, my heart is busy, and life doesn’t always slow down just because it’s time to pray.
There were times I’d feel guilty. Like I was doing something wrong. Like my Solah didn’t “count” because I wasn’t fully there. But I’ve come to realise… the fact that I keep trying is the victory.
Allah didn’t ask me to be perfect. He asked me to remember Him. To try.
Shaytan knows the power of Solah. He knows how close it can bring us to Allah. That’s why he tries so hard to distract us during it. And sometimes, yes, I fall into that trap. But the mercy of Allah is bigger than my distractions.
So now, I try to slow down. I pause before I start. I breathe. I remind myself, this is my moment with Him. I try not to rush through the words. I try to feel what I’m saying, even if I only manage it for a verse or two. A dear sister taught me a trick, when my mind starts to wander, I should imagine Allah in front of me and seek refuge against shaytan, it works on days I remember…
I don’t have a perfect method. But I’ve noticed that even the smallest shift helps. Some days, I feel more connected. Some days, I don’t. But I keep coming back. Because that’s what He(SWT) asked of me.
And when my mind wanders, I don’t beat myself up anymore. I just gently bring it back. Again and again.
Solah isn’t just a duty. It’s a gift. A place to let go. A place to fall apart if needed. A place where I can meet Allah exactly as I am, scattered, distracted, overwhelmed and still be seen, heard, and accepted.
So if you’re struggling too, you’re not alone. Keep trying. Bring your heart with you, even if it’s tired.
One day, the noise will quiet. The presence will come. The connection will settle. And when it does, you’ll know… every struggle, every attempt, every time you pulled your focus back, it was all worth it.
Love Always,
Your Tranquility Partner ❣️
©Rawsheedah Akorede Saheed