How I motivate and layout my Salah (Prayers)

Fajr : I set the morning prayer Fajr, as the time to make duaa with gratitude. I show appreciation and speak with gratefulness. I thank Al-Wahhāb (The Giver of Gifts, The Bestower) for allowing me to see another day, for giving me another chance at life and to stay productive instead of wasting time. I thank Him, for everything in life, my blessings, my loved ones, my gifts, the good and bad, and my sustenance.

Duhr : I set the midday prayer Duhr, as the time for me to make duaa for my loved ones. I make duaa for my family and friends, for them to stay guided and content in life. I ask Al-Muqtadir (The All-Powerful, The Dominant) to keep my loved ones happy and healthy. To keep them safe. I pray for their Iman (faith), Akhirah (hereafter) and Jannah (Paradise). I pray to Al-Ghaffār (The Constant Forgiver, The Great Forgiver) to remove all their sins and replace it with good. I set the time especially for my beloved parents, I read رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ (Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established). I end my duaa with asking Allah to give them a long and healthy life, and when the time comes, to only bless them with a painless and peaceful death.

Asr: I begin my afternoon prayer Asr, with prayers for the suffering nations of this world. I pray for Sudan, Congo, Palestine, Syria, Kashmir, Uyghur, Burma, Lebanon, Iran. I inform Al-ʿAlīm (The All-Knowing, The Omniscient) about the oppression and pain caused to our brothers and sisters around the world, and I ask Him to lessen their hardship and remove their pain. I ask Al-Ḥakam (The Judge, The Giver of Justice) to give them their rightful justice and avenge them. I ask Allah to save any soul from being oppressed by the oppressor.

Maghrib: I begin the sunset prayer with praising Allah, in His many beautiful names. I praise Him before I continue on to ask for my own forgiveness. I ask Ar-Raḥmān (The Most Merciful, The Entirely Merciful) to forgive all of my major and minor sins. To completely remove them or turn them into good deeds. I ask Al-’Adl (The Utterly Just) to allow me to have the upper hand over my enemies and wrongdoers. I ask Al-Wadūd (The Most Loving) to keep me protected from any harm physically and mentally. I ask Al-Waliyy (The Protector, The Guardian) to shield my Iman and heart. I ask Al-Qayyūm (The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting) to keep me afloat through life and for abundance in rizq (provisions) and barakah (blessings).

Isha: I end the day with the evening prayer Isha, speaking with Allah. I vent, cry, laugh, joke and speak with My Lord. I tell Al-Mujīb (The Responsive, The Answerer) about my day and how it went. I tell Ash-Shakūr (The Most Appreciative) about how I feel and my positive thoughts. I cry to As-Samīʿ (The All-Hearing) about what bothered and upset me that day. I laugh with Al-Barr (The Source of All Goodness) and tell Him jokes. I ask of Him to strengthen and only deepen my connection and bond with Him and Islam. I ask Al-Laṭīf (The Most Gentle, The Subtle One) to remain my closest friend.

From Maya ❤

Originally published at https://frommaya.substack.com.