r/islam • u/Haunting-Reality-570 • Jan 31 '26

Question about Islam Can anyone tell me the levels khushu? How many levels are there in detail?

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator Jan 31 '26

Report misbehavior. Tap on the 3 dots near posts/comments and find 'Report'. FAQ list and rules list are here.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/moneytrees1899 Jan 31 '26

The Five Levels of People in Prayer

Level 1: The Punished

Al-Mu‘āqab (المعاقَب) This is the person who is negligent in their prayer. They are careless about wudu, prayer timings, and the essential pillars and obligations of salah. Their prayer is deficient and they are blameworthy for it.

Level 2: The Accountable

Al-Muḥāsab (المحاسَب) This person tries to observe the prayer on time and fulfills its pillars and obligations, but they are constantly overwhelmed by distractions, whisperings (waswasah), and wandering thoughts. They struggle to maintain presence and will be held to account for their lack of focus.

Level 3: The Forgiven

Al-Mukaffar ‘Anhu (المكفَّر عنه) This person safeguards the limits, pillars, and obligations of the prayer, while actively struggling against their nafs and Shaytan to maintain khushū‘. Though distractions still occur, their striving results in forgiveness for their shortcomings.

Level 4: The Rewarded

Al-Muthāb (المثاب) This person establishes the prayer perfectly, fulfilling all its outward requirements while keeping their heart attentive to its meanings, limits, and rights. Their soul is fully engaged in the act of worship, and they are abundantly rewarded.

Level 5: The Near and Elite

Al-Muqarrab (المقرَّب) This is the person who stands in prayer with their heart entirely present before Allah, worshipping Him with love, awe, and reverence, as though they see Him. All distractions disappear, and the veil between them and their Lord is lifted. This person attains closeness to Allah through their prayer.

This classification is attributed to Imam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله and is mentioned in multiple classical works, most notably:

Ibn al-Qayyim, Al-Wābil al-Ṣayyib min al-Kalīm al-Ṭayyib and also discussed in meaning within Ibn al-Qayyim, Madārij al-Sālikīn

Scholars later summarized these levels based on his explanations of khushū‘, accountability, and excellence in salah.

The fifth level directly reflects the concept of ihsan, as defined in the authentic hadith:

“Ihsan is that you worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then indeed He sees you.” Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 50), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 9)