Tea Time @ Prayer Time

Connection in prayer isn’t an overnight accomplishment. It’s something that takes time—because being truly genuine before Allah requires us to first learn how to be genuine with ourselves. Even when our intention is to pray sincerely for the sake of Allah, deep down we often begin by critically judging ourselves: our flaws, our distractions, our shortcomings. And it’s exactly these vulnerabilities, wants, and needs that we end up bringing with us to the prayer mat.

It’s natural to want immediate spiritual clarity or a deep sense of closeness with Allah, but feeling and understanding that spiritual reciprocation is rarely instant. It takes reflection, time, and effort to untangle ourselves from the worldly distractions that dull our hearts. Many people struggle with faith for this reason: not because the faith itself is weak, but because the world around us (and within us) makes it hard to see what holds us back.

Allah, in His wisdom, tells us: “It could be that you like a thing and it is bad for you, and it could be that you dislike a thing and it is good for you; and Allah knows, while you do not know.” This is a reminder that part of spiritual growth is learning to trust His knowledge over our limited perspective. Sometimes, what we think will make us feel closer to Allah isn’t what truly does; and sometimes, what feels difficult or inconvenient is actually what nurtures our souls.

Another subtle barrier to deep connection in prayer is how we perceive time. We often approach prayer with a mindset of “getting it done,” as if completing the steps themselves is enough. Our minds rush ahead to the next task or responsibility, missing that Allah’s view of time is not like ours. He asks us to pray as though it could be our last prayer, to truly be in that moment—to say insha’Allah for the next prayer, recognizing that each prayer could be our final conversation with Him in this life.

It’s easy to fall into thinking that the physical effort or mental discipline we bring to prayer is the ultimate goal. But Allah calls us to something deeper: to use the time we have wisely, to channel the parts of us that are genuinely yearning for His guidance, even when those parts feel small or hidden under layers of distraction and doubt.

When we pray, we’re invited to give something real: a promise of consistency. And this consistency isn’t measured by quantity alone, but by sincerity. If you are consistent—even with a small amount—and you give it genuinely, then you have succeeded in the first steps of truly knowing yourself.

Ultimately, the barakah (blessing) we hope for in life is in Allah’s hands. He doesn’t inspire you to want something unless He, in His mercy, wants to give it to you. But just as we work for what we want in this life, He asks us to work for the hereafter too—to balance striving for worldly success with striving for spiritual growth.

This delicate balance, this honest effort to challenge how we conduct our Salah, is what strengthens us. Over time, it shapes us into people who don’t just pray out of routine, but who truly stand before Allah—vulnerable, hopeful, and sincere—because we’ve learned to bring our whole selves to Him. That’s what prayer does: it prepares us to truly stand before Allah one day.

And with that, I will share that Allah has revealed to me that He is going to cause me to die, and He will also bring me back to life. As a way to renew my circadian rhythm to the beat of His guidance.

"Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to those who worship others besides Allah): "Do you worship besides Allah something which has no power either to harm or benefit you? But it is Allah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower." 5:76

Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector)." And in Allah let the believers put their trust. 9:51

"Verily, your Lord knows that you do stand (to pray at night) a little less than two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so does a party of those with you; and Allah measures the night and the day. He knows that you are unable to pray the whole night, so He has turned to you (in mercy). So recite you of the Qur’an as much as may be easy for you. He knows that there will be some among you sick, others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah’s bounty; yet others fighting in Allah’s Cause. So recite as much of the Qur’an as may be easy (for you); and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat and lend to Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you send before you for yourselves, you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." 73:20

Fussilat:

41:30

Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allah (Alone)," and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!"
41:31

"We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask."
41:32

"An entertainment from (Allah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
41:33

And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."
41:34

The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e., Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.
41:35

But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient — and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter i.e., Paradise and in this world of a high moral character).
41:36

And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaitan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.
41:37

And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.
41:38

But if they are too proud [to prostrate], then those who are with your Lord (i.e., the angels) glorify Him night and day, and never are they tired.
41:39

And among His Signs (is this): that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetation). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely, (He) is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed! He is Able to do all things.
41:40

Verily, those who turn away from Our Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) are not hidden from Us. Is he who is cast into the Fire better, or he who comes securely on the Day of Resurrection? Do what you will. Verily, He is All-Seer of what you do.
41:41

Verily, those who disbelieved in the Reminder (i.e., the Qur’an) when it came to them (shall receive the punishment). And verily, it is an honourable respected Book.
41:42

Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah).
41:43

Nothing is said to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) except what was said to the Messengers before you. Verily, your Lord is the Possessor of forgiveness, and (also) the Possessor of painful punishment.