The most important hurdle to overcome from the outset in attaining khushoo in Prayer is absentmindedness. It is this that destroys the quality of a Prayer, for Allah does not accept the Prayers of a wandering mind.

The ability to concentrate in Prayer may be improved by undertaking adequate psychological, mental and physical preparation before the Prayer and by utilizing certain techniques whilst performing the Prayer. Below are some examples:

1) Psychological and Mental Preparations

• Get into the habit of praying at the earliest hour. Do not procastinate.
   

• Pray as much of your fard Salat in jama'a or congregation as is possible. [al-Baqara 2:43]
   

• Avoid praying in a state in which you are mentally and physically fatigued. [al-Nisa 4:43]
   

• Keep your mind free of worldly worries and engagements.
   

• If you do not understand Arabic learn the meaning of what you recite in your Prayer.
   

• Remind yourself that engaging in Prayer offers you an opportunity to release yourself from the pressures and tensions of this world. Cherish the opportunity to remove the shackles and burdens of this world from your shoulders. [al-Baqara 2:45]
   

• Use your Prayer to remain focused on your mission in life - to bring your entire being to serve only Allah.
   

• Use your Prayer as a source of strength, inspiration and enthusiasm for your life and activities.

2) Physical Preparation

• Fulfill all your personal needs before you commence your Prayer, for example, thirst, hunger and calls of nature.
   

• Pray in a pure physical state. Perform your wudu with care and perfection. [al-maida 5:6]
   

• Adorn yourself with clean and respectable clothes for Allah has said: "O children of adam, wear your best clothes at every place of worship." [al-Araf 7:31]

3) Performing Your Prayer

• Assess your mental readiness for Prayer before its commencement, during the various postures with its attendant recitations, after each raka and ultimately at the end. Try to make improvements at each stage.
   

• Pray with humility both in your mental state and in your physical manner. Pray with hope and awe, asking Allah for His mercy and forgiveness.
   

• Remind yourself continually that you are talking to the most important 'Being' in your life - your Creator and Sustainer.
   

• Adopt a whispering technique in your recitation. This will increase your ability to remain focused on what you are saying. [al-Isra 17:110]
   

• As you recite the Quran, translate it into your own language so that your attention is held. As you concentrate upon the meaning and implications of the words, insya Allah, all thoughts of worldly ideas will disappear.
   

• Pray as if it is your last prayer.

Performing your Prayer in a satisfactory manner should lead to a radical change in the way you lead your daily life. Salat must be as the Quran states: "Surely, salat prevents indecency and evil." [al-Ankabut 29:45]. Your improved and more disciplined life will in turn help the quality of your Prayer to increase even more. The two should feed one another and continuosly reinforce each other.

Note that there is a punishment for a Prayer not performed satisfactorily. It will be a witness against you rather than a witness for you on the Day of Judgement. However, the reward for a Prayer well performed is immeasurable. The Prophet said: "If a man performs two rakas of Salat without the distraction of worldly thoughts, all his previous sins will be forgiven." [Bukhari]

from the book: In The Early Hours by Khurram Murad