The Different Definitions of Khushu' - Portal Gems #74

Est. Read time: 3 min
Edition Number: 74
Adapted from: The Secrets of Prayer
Instructor: Imam Yousef Wahb

Assalamu Alaykum,

Today’s gem is from Imam Yousef Wahb’s course, The Secrets of Prayer. In this gem Imam Yousef explains the different perspectives the scholars had on what the Khushu’ actually means.

Hope you enjoy!

We begin in the Name of Allah ﷻ, the Most Merciful and Compassionate,
We ask that He ﷻ sends Peace and Blessings upon our noble and beloved
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

We have actually two opinions about the relationship between Khushu’ and the presence of the heart. Some scholars said that Khushu’ and the presence of the heart are one and the same - basically Khushu’ = presence of the heart. Other scholars disagreed and said there is actually a little bit of a difference between Khushu’ and the presence of the heart. This comes down to different perspectives on how Khushu’ is actually manifest.

Some scholars express Khushu’ to be an act of the heart. It is something that manifests and reflects in your heart. It's not something that your body does. It is something that only exists in the heart.

Other scholars said, no actually Khushu’ is the state of the body, how the body looks and acts.

A third opinion said it's actually a combination of both. Khushu’ is the submissive state of both the heart and the body.

We have three trends among the scholars, three amazing opinions. We can view them to be harmonious opinions, they're not actually contradictory.

Based on these different perspectives now comes the question: what is the definition of khushu' then?

Again this definition has different opinions based on the manifestation of Khushu’ that the scholars hold to be correct - whether its focused on the heart, the body, or both.

That's why some scholars said Khushu’ is the constant fear in the heart.

Some scholars said its humility.

Some scholars said Khushu’ is the state of stillness - that you’re physically still. Stillness here means your body is still, because don't forget that the bigger framework here is prayer. So imagine these definitions from the prayer perspective.

Some of them said it's the submission of the body, that the body is submissive, which means that the body is now transcending beyond the control over its physical faculties and abilities and is completely submissive to Allah ﷻ, that the body feels that I am owned and controlled by Allah ﷻ.

All these are different definitions that were provided by scholars about the meaning of Khushu'.

May Allah ﷻ grant us Khushu’ in our prayers.

أقول قولي هذا وأستغفر الله لي ولكم، فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرحيم

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