The Art of Khushu! – Lessons from Hatim al-Asamm – The Persian Scholar

By Imama Mufti – Hiba Magazine Team Writer

In Islamic spirituality, Khushu – deep focus, humility, and awe in prayer- is seen as the heart of worship. The actions and words of Salah are required, but it is Khushu that turns prayer into a real connection with Allah (swt).

The example of the Persian scholar Hatim al-Asamm teaches us how to develop this quality. His life shows us how prayer can move beyond routine and become a source of peace, meaning, and closeness to Allah (swt).

Hatim al-Asamm, whose name translates to ‘Hatim the Deaf’, earned this name not because of a physical disability, but because of his exceptional ability to ignore distractions and stay focused, especially in prayer.

Once, a woman came to ask him a question. Out of nervousness, she accidentally passed gas and became very embarrassed. She asked him if he had heard, and to save her from shame, Hatim pretended to be deaf and told her he had not. From that time, people called him Hatim al-Asamm. The name became a symbol of how he closed his ears to everything during prayer. This story is more than just an incident, it shows the deep sense of purpose and sincerity that guided his whole life.

Hatim’s Approach to Salah: A Blueprint for a Focused Prayer

When asked about his approach to Salah, he explained that it was a careful and thoughtful process built on deep spiritual focus. He shared a seven-step approach that actually began before he even raised his hands to start the prayer. His words show that, for him, Salah was never just a quick response to the call, but the result of a conscious and deliberate effort to draw closer to Allah (swt).

1. Hatim’s way of praying started with careful preparation, not only cleansing the body, but also readying the heart.
2. He performed Wudu with perfection, viewing it not just as washing away physical impurities, but as a reminder of cleansing his sins.
3. Before beginning, Hatim created a vivid scene in his mind; the Kaaba directly before his eyes as the center of his attention.
4. He considered himself standing on the bridge over Hellfire (Sirat).
5. He imagined Paradise on one side.
6. Next he visualized Hell on the other side.
7. Hatim imagined the angel of death standing behind him, reminding him that this prayer could be his final one.

With this awareness and weight of responsibility, he entered Salah with the intention that it would be the most sincere, complete, and devoted prayer of his life. The key lesson from Hatim al-Asamm lies in his mental preparation. He showed that Salah is not a separate act, but a reflection of our ongoing spiritual state throughout the day.

The depth of Khushu in prayer comes from how connected we are to Allah (swt) outside of it.

Just as an athlete warms up before competing, Hatim would ready his heart and thoughts before standing before his Lord. This practice helps with a common problem many people face; the mind wandering to worries about work, family, or daily matters during Salah. Hatim’s way of visualizing reminded the soul of its true purpose and final destination, keeping his focus firmly on Allah (swt).

Salah; More Than a Ritual, A Divine Shield

Beyond Hatim’s example, the Quran and Sunnah make it clear that Salah holds a central place in a believer’s life. Prophet Muhammad (sa) taught us that it will be the very first deed examined on the Day of Judgment, highlighting that it serves as the measure of a person’s entire faith and actions.

When prayer is upright, the rest of one’s deeds are likely to follow the same path. Salah is, in essence, the backbone of a righteous life. The Quran affirms this by saying, “… Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing …”(Al Ankabut 29:45),showing its power to shape character and conduct. Performed with Khushu, Salah becomes more than an obligation, it becomes a guiding force that shields from sin and directs the heart toward virtue.

The five daily prayers are not just breaks in our schedule, but moments that bring our hearts back to Allah (swt) whenever we become distracted.

Salah is a direct connection with Allah (swt), a chance to stand before the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Each part of the prayer has meaning: when we stand in Qiyam, it shows respect as we speak to Allah (swt); when we bow in (Rukooh), it shows humility; and when we prostrate (Sujood), we come closest to Allah (swt) by surrendering completely. The Prophet (sa) said: “The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so make plenty of supplications then.” (Muslim). Putting our forehead on the ground is a way of letting go of pride and ego, a necessary step in truly drawing near to Allah (swt).

How to Make Khushu your Reality

To develop intentional prayer, we can take lessons from Hatim al-Asamm and bring certain practices into our daily lives.

• The first step is to understand what we are reciting. Learning the meanings of the Quranic verses and supplications in Salah changes prayer from just repeating words to having a real, heartfelt conversation with Allah (swt). When we say ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is the Greatest), we should truly feel the greatness of Allah (swt) and humble ourselves before Him. And when we recite Surah Al-Fatiha, we should remember that it is not just a recitation, but an actual dialogue with our Lord, who responds to every verse.
• The second step is to prepare ourselves for prayer. This is more than just making Wudu, it means deliberately stepping away from the world for a while. We should put aside our phones, leave behind anything distracting, and set the clear intention to focus only on Allah (swt). Taking these few minutes to ‘leave the world behind’ is itself an act of worship and an important step toward finding true Khushu in prayer.
• The third step is to pray with a sense of urgency. Hatim reminded himself that each prayer could be his last, and this gave him deep focus. The Prophet (sa) also advised: “Pray as if it is your last prayer…” (Ibn Majah)Thinking this way makes us more sincere, respectful, and filled with love for Allah (swt). It removes laziness and helps us value the blessing of being able to connect directly with Allah (swt) in sha Allah.