al-Khushu fi al-Salah - al-Sabbagh
- Author died
- 1439 AH
- Editions
- Dar al-Salam li-l-Tiba'ah wa-l-Nashr wa-l-Tawzi' wa-l-Tarjamah
al-Khushu fi al-Salah (Humility in Prayer) is a concise devotional treatise by the Syrian scholar Muhammad bin Lutfi al-Sabbagh (1350–1439 AH / 1930–2017 CE) dedicated to exploring the concept of khushu‘ (reverence, devotion, and presence of heart) in Islamic prayer and the practical means to cultivate it .
Background and Purpose
The author was prompted to write the treatise after numerous colleagues and students approached him with heartfelt complaints regarding their inability to maintain concentration in prayer and their struggle against intrusive worldly thoughts . In addition, al-Sabbagh observed widespread physical restlessness and improper behaviors among worshippers—such as continuous fidgeting, cracking knuckles, adjusting clothing, and rapid bowing and prostration—which he deemed unbecoming for one standing before God .
Having initially compiled the brief work for himself and subsequently published it, the first print run quickly sold out, leading him to revise and expand the text with supplementary material to better fulfill its objective . The author dated the completion of this expanded revision to 6 Muharram 1419 AH .
Scope and Methodology
In his introduction, al-Sabbagh noted that existing treatises on prayer frequently digress into extensive jurisprudence (such as the detailed conditions, pillars, and invalidators of prayer) or lengthy exegeses of asceticism (zuhd) and Quranic verses . While acknowledging the utility of those subjects, he argued that they belong properly in specialized legal and exegetical compendia. Consequently, he confined the scope of his treatise strictly to what directly pertains to khushu‘ and the specific practical measures that bring it about .
Key Themes and Contents
The book addresses several theoretical and practical aspects of devotion in prayer:
- Definition and Nature of Khushu‘: The author outlines the lexical definitions of the term according to classical lexicographers such as Ibn Faris, Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Fayyumi, al-Fairuzabadi, and al-Raghib al-Isfahani . He examines its usages in the Quran and reviews definitions by scholars like Ibn al-Qayyim and Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, emphasizing that the true locus of humility is the heart, which subsequently reflects upon the physical limbs, while warning against outward displays devoid of inner devotion ("hypocritical humility" or khushu‘ al-nifaq) .
- Overcoming Routine and Habituation: The text warns that regular practice can inadvertently lead to unmindful routine (al-namatiyyah), which dulls spiritual perception . To counter this, al-Sabbagh urges worshippers to engage in deep contemplation (tadabbur) of the recited verses and supplications, recommending that literate believers vary the passages they recite after Surat al-Fatihah rather than repeating the same short chapters in every prayer .
- Alertness: Drawing upon prophetic traditions, the author highlights the necessity of mental wakefulness and advises against praying while drowsy or staying awake late into the night to the point of compromising focus in the dawn prayer .
- The Role of the Prayer Leader (Imam): The author outlines guidelines for imams to assist the congregation in achieving devotion, including maintaining proper calm (tuma'ninah), beautifying recitation according to the rules of tajwid, avoiding excessive prolongation that causes hardship, and not rushing through the final units (rak‘ahs) of prayer .
- Supererogatory Prayers at Home: The treatise highlights the spiritual benefits of performing voluntary prayers (nawafil) at home in quiet seclusion, which fosters inner serenity and protects the worshipper from ostentation (riya') .
- Warding Off Satanic Distractions: It provides guidance on countering satanic whisperings (waswasah) during prayer—including the specific devil named Khinzab—and overcoming recurring doubts regarding ritual purity (wudu) .
Publication
The work has been published in a single volume, including a third edition released in 1419 AH (1999 CE) jointly by Dar al-Salam in Cairo and Dar al-Warraq in Riyadh .
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