{"_id":"6813dad39d5e782986a85adf","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"What advice do you have for a young person who is struggling to pray?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"What advice do you have for a young person who is struggling to find motivation to pray? What do you think is the cause of this negative feeling towards salah? I haven’t heard much from anyone regarding this topic so anything that you think would help is greatly appreciated.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"The struggle with motivation towards the prayer, indicates a fractured connection between us (the creation) and our Creator, Allah ﷻ.  We must each individually reflect on what that means. For example, could the struggle be:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"That we weren’t taught the correct way to pray or the reasoning for prayer?\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"Perhaps a matter of lack of prioritization?\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"A sin, we are struggling with creating that gap between us and Allah ﷻ?\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"The possible answers are many and each person's answer will vary. We are all on different points of our journey towards Allah ﷻ, but the remedy is the same. Regardless of the cause, rest assured that it is nothing short of Allah ﷻ’s unmeasurable love and mercy that brings you to ask for help in this matter. It is through the times of struggle that Allah ﷻ shows us His love for us the most, if we only take a moment to notice.  Look at this test as an invitation from Allah ﷻ to bring you closer to Him.  \"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"color\":\"#000000\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"What practical steps can you take to respond to Allah ﷻ ’s invitation?\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"        \"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"                     \"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"1. The core of prayer is being present:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"When you start to feel like prayer is a chore, detracting you from the things on your to-do list, remind yourself that you are praying to the One who created time itself. Those things will become so irrelevant, by reminding yourself who you are praying to. Train yourself to view prayer as a comfort from the stresses of this world, including that to-do list.  We all struggle with the highs and lows of iman, it is a sign of a sincere heart, so keep striving and don’t give up.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"2. Presence begins at purification:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"Start freeing your mind from distractions at the time of wudhu. Silence your phone, don’t speak during and just focus on each step.  This will help calm your heart and mind, before you even step foot onto the prayer mat. \"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"3. Prioritize your prayers:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"Plan your day around your prayers, not your prayers around your day. That may look different for you depending on what stage of life you are in. Every stage of life is busy, do not wait for what doesn’t exist (free time).The reality is, an obligatory prayer is 5-7 minutes. The scholars recommend, to pray as soon as the time for prayer enters. This is considered the most virtuous time to pray and will help prevent any procrastination and missing the prayer. Start with one prayer time that is the easiest according to your schedule and slowly work your way up.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"4. Surround yourself with the righteous:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"Keep good company through practicing family and friends. Seek out circles of knowledge in your community or online, in which everyone is all working towards the same goal. It will become easy to prioritize your prayer and meet your goals, insha’Allah. \"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"5. Don’t rush after prayer:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"After you are done with your prayer, sit and do adhkar and make duaa to Allah ﷻ. One of the best times to make duaa is after an act of worship. Speak to Allah ﷻ about your struggles, even when they are about Him. Who better to understand your struggles, than the One who Created you and knows them, before you even utter a word?\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"The general key to improving your salah is sincerity and consistency. Do not overburden yourself. When our beloved Prophet Muhammad  ﷺ  was asked: \\\"What deeds are loved most by Allah?\\\", he responded: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"\\\"The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.\\\"\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\" He added, \"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\",\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"\\\"Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability.\\\"\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"color\":\"#000000\"},\"insert\":\"May Allah ﷻ grant you tawfiq.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fe30b76658b4c23281e","tag":"Salah: Other","count":138},{"_id":"6813dad39d5e782986a85adb","tag":"Khushu","count":2},{"_id":"676acbef631b2ecff5b5cbed","tag":"Struggle","count":2}],"createdOn":"2025-05-01T20:34:27.231Z"}