How to concentrate in Namaz (Salah)?

How to concentrate in namaz / salah (prayers)? Many people asked this question from me. Many Muslims find themselves uncomfortable during salah or namaz because of concentration. Keeping concentration during namaz is very important because it is clearly said in Holy Quran:

“Indeed, the believers, who have Khushu’ in their Salah, are the winners.” [Noble Quran 23:1-2]

When performing namaz, you might be disturbed by your worst enemy called Satan. The concept of Khushu’ in Salah (concentration in salah) is very essential but unfortunately many of us lack in khushu during prayer and our heart wonders off into different directions thinking about whatever is going on with our day or our lives at the time. I was also facing same problem a year ago before I learned how to concentrate in Namaz and how to perform salah with Khushu. Following steps will help you in staying focused during namaz and following these instructions will improve quality of your prayers InshaAllah:

1. Identify source of distraction:
You must know what distracts your concentration during namaz. For example if you are offering namaz at home, you might be disturbed from noise of children in street. Try to offer namaz in a peaceful room and preference should always be given to nearest mosque.

2. Learn meaning of namaz:
You must learn the meaning and translation of what you are in namaz. For example if you are urdu speaking muslim, you should know urdu translation and meaning of words that you recite in namaz. Knowing translation of namaz in urdu will help you in improving concentration during prayers.

3. Relieve yourself from mental stress:
No matter how much hard time you are facing in your life, always remember that when you are offering salah, you are in direct connection with almighty Allah. So forget your miseries and hardships and put all your concentration on Namaz.
 

4. Make clear intention that you are praying to Allah:
Make this thing very clear in your mind that you are praying to Allah almighty and only for his sake.
 

5. The angel of death is chasing you:
Always remember your death. This may be your last namaz. So pray as if it is your last chance to get eternal happiness after death. Stay focused and put all your concentration on namaz. The most important and foremost point is 'fear' of Almighty Allah, like it could be your last Namaaz so make it worthy to save you.
 

6. Prepare yourself:
Always make your prayer area neat and clean. Perform Wadhu as it is described in Sunnah. Untidy and not-cleaned prayer area will always distract you.