As for Abu Bakr (ra), the people could not heat his recitation in the prayer due to his weeping just as Aa'ishah (ra) has described when she said: "The Messenge r of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said while he was in his (final) illness: "Call upon Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer". Aa'ishah said: "I said: When Abu Bakr stands in y our place the people are not able to hear due to weeping so call Umar and let hi m lead the people". He (the Messenger) said: "Call Abu Bakr and let him lead the people". Aa'ishah said to Hafsah: "Say to him (the Messenger) that when Abu Bak r stands in your place the people cannot hear him due to weeping so call Umar an d let him lead the people." Hafsah did that and the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Indee d you are like the companions of Yoosuf. Call Abu bakr and let him lead the peop le in prayer." Hafsah said to Aa'ishah: "I was never to gain any good from you."

In another narration: "Abu Bakr is a sorrowful man. When he stands in your place he is not able to pray with the people."

2. Reflecting upon the Meanings of the Words which are related to the Prayer

When he says "Allaahu Akbar" he brings to mind the meaning of these words and th e greatness and might of Allaah the Exalted which they contain. When he seeks re fuge in Allaah from Shaytaan - the accursed - he reflects upon the meaning of se eking refuge and that it entails recourse to and holding onto Allaah, the All-He aring Who hears the servant, the All-Knowing Who knows what the Shayaateen whisp er. He brings to mind that with this (seeking refuge) he opens the door toevery good and closes the door to every evil. In the same manner does he reflect upon the meanings of Bismillaah..., the Tasbeeh (Subhaanallaah) and the sending of pr ayers upon the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).

It is essential to turn to the books of Tafseer and sayings of the scholars unti l a person understands what exactly he is saying and that is saying what he unde rstands. This is for all of his prayer, he strives to achieve that in accordance with his capability and strength.

3. Abandoning sins and disobedience.

Allaah the Exalted said:

Disobedience is a barrier which stands in front of khushoo' in the prayer. Included in this disobedience is clinging to a woman possessing evil manners and not divorcing her or giving a fool power to dispose of his wealth or giving a loan without it being witnessed. The Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "There are three who call upon Allaah - Azzawajall - but are not answered: A man under whom is a woman of evil nature and he does not divorce her, a man who is owed something by another but who did not call anyone to be a witness over it and a man who gives a fool his wealth." Allaah the Exalted also said: And do not give to the foolish their wealth"

Also included in this is the disobedience the wife shows to her husband and the slave who has run away from his master, as occurs in the hadeeth: "There are two whose prayer does not go beyond their heads: A servant who has fled from his master until he returns and a woman who disobeys her husband until she returns."

Likewise obeying Allaah in abundance increases khushoo' in the prayer and adds t o its beautification. Among the things which bring this about are: Being mercifu l to orphans, stroking their heads and feeding them. In this regard, the Messeng er (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Do you wish that your heart should become soft and that you obta in your need? Show mercy to the orphan, stroke his head and give him from your f ood. Your heart will become softened and your will acquire your need."

4. Avoiding too much laughing as it is fatal to the heart and its khushoo'

There occurs in the hadeeth: "...Indeed too much laughing kills the heart."

5. Choosing suitable actions

This is from a number of different aspects:

1. In that they are halaal/lawful, because Allaah does not accept but the lawful and wholesome. Consuming unlawful property repels the supplication and prevents khushoo'.
2. That these actions do not oppose the times of prayer. If that is the case, a man will start to make decisions for himself by allowing himself to delay the pr ayers or even making them up if he misses the time in which they are to be perfo rmed. He may also ask someone who will give him such an answer.
3. That he tries to find out - according to his capability - those actions which are not strenuous or exacting, so that he enters into the prayer with a humble and repentant heart. The one who is tired and overworked must refresh his mind a nd this is at the expense khushoo' in the prayer.