Everyone has this bitter experience that while praying, chanting tasbeeh and dhikr, it is being uttered correctly, but other things are revolving in the mind. The body is standing in Jainamaya and reciting Surah and the mind is wandering. The tasbeeh is being uttered on the face and the fingers of the hand are also pulling the tasbeeh grains but the mind is thinking of other things.
But the mind is saying what the mouth is saying while giving the speech. Mouth and mind go together while reading a book. Listening to someone's speech or speech is done with the mind. This is what I am writing now with my mind. I am writing whatever the mind tells me to write. The focus is on all these things. But why is the mind detached during prayer, tasbeeh, dhikr?
This is the fault of our education. It is not necessary to teach what to think in the mind while teaching what is to be recited orally in prayer. Despite knowing the meaning of what is read in the mouth, there may be a lack of attention due to the error of teaching. So is the matter of glorification and remembrance. The face and the mind have to move at the same time. You have to be aware of what is being said in your mouth. Otherwise, prayer, tasbeeh, and dhikr will be lifeless. The above-mentioned teachings cannot be gained by the dead prayer.
There is a need for a little discussion about how to say what is said orally with the mind. If you pay attention to the meaning of what is read in the mouth, there is no way to awaken other thoughts in the mind. But it is difficult to sustain this notion. For this, it is very important to add emotions. The explanation of Ihsan given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) during worship is the basis of emotion. Explaining Ihsan, he said, "Worship as if you can see Allah." If you can't do that, then at least notice that he is watching you.
Tawajjuh (Inni ajjahatu-mushrikeen) is recited at the beginning of the prayer for the purpose of creating this emotion. While reading, I have to awaken the feeling that my God is present in front of me. When it is said in the face of prostration, ‘Subhana Rabbiyal Ala’, then if you look at its meaning, you will get the feeling that I have taken refuge in the lap of my great Lord. In this way, if emotion is added to every part of the prayer, the mind will not get a chance to wander outside the prayer.
Such prayers are alive. It is the living prayer that qualifies the life of the believer. It is not possible to get any benefit from the prayers if it is performed only as a ritual. This is why the purpose of prayer is not seen to be successful in the lives of many. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Allaah will repay at least 10 times for every good deed and 800 times for most. What is the reason for some to get 10, some 50, some 100, some 600 even after praying in the same Jamaat? Why would the wages for the same work be so low? The amount of reward will be more or less depending on who is able to keep the mind present in the prayer, what was the amount of passion and emotion, who surrendered himself to the master with love.