8 Ways to Increase our Love for Prayer (Salah) Allah ﷻ has informed His creation about the purpose of existence in this world and the eternal rewards of the next life: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ 'I created jinn and mankind only to worship Me' (Qur’an 51:56). There are different strategies to increase our love for prayer: 1. Think about the One you are praying to. 2. Know the value of prayer as a prescription for the soul, a connection to the Creator, a healing for your problems, a source of blessings and relief, and a ticket to Paradise. 3. Recognize that the prayer fulfills the purpose of your existence in this world. 4. Learn the meanings of what is being recited from the Qur’an (e.g., recite Surat Al-Fatihah as a conversation between yourself and Allah, rather than just trying fulfil a pillar of the prayer itself). 5. Slow down with every movement of prayer. Take your time especially in sujood (prostration) and increase your du’aa. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'The servant is closest to his Lord during prostration, so increase your supplications therein.' (Muslim) 6. Engage yourself fully in your du’aa, for it will increase your love of asking from Allah ﷻ. Do your best to learn new supplications often, so that the prayer for you does not seem second hand or a routine. 7. Pray every prayer as though it is your last. Every believer who died before you had a final prayer, but most perhaps didn't know it would be their farewell prayer. If you want your final prayers in this world to be of great quality, begin implementing the habit of quality prayers today. If every prayer might be your last, then it is crucial to pray on time. One of the most beloved deeds we can perform in the sight of Allah ﷻ, is to make sure we pray our five daily prayers on time. The Prophet ﷺ said, 'The most beloved of deeds to Allah are: the prayer at its appointed time...' (Bukhari) 8. Remember that prayer is the very first act of worship Allah ﷻ will ask us about on the Day of Resurrection. If it was done well, everything after that will go well. If it was not taken care of, then there’s no guarantee of safety in the afterlife. May Allah ﷻ guide us to perfect our prayer and other acts of worship, to find sweetness and joy in it, and for our prayers to be a source of protection and reward in the next life.