As salaamu alaikum. I see you always write Allaahul Musta'aan and I was wondering if you could tell me what that means. Sorry I don't speak Arabic

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah!

Allaahul Musta’aan (closely) translates to: Allaah is the One whose Help is sought. 

For more information, this is a great read. There is no need to apologize! 

Asalamu alaykum. I did some research on rape and how the punishment should be carried out, but living in a kuffar country, the process is not the same. Rape has become so common these days and sometimes the suspect are never caught and I'm scared that one day I'll be raped. If such bad things happen, does the child have the same last name as me? jazkiallahu khayr

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakaatu! I pray you are doing well and in the best of health & eeman.

This is such a serious and sensitive topic because as you said, rape has become so common and the suspects at times are rarely caught. Even then, they’re able to get out in just a few years. It’s as if ruining someone and robbing them of their humanity is worthy of only a few years behind jail (where they are essentially free and can commit the same crimes with other inmates). This is why the Law of Allaah is just and wise beyond words. Alhamdulilaah.

Sadly enough, rape can never be prevented especially in the world we live in today. But what you can do is take some measures that can help protect you: whenever you need to leave somewhere, always be with someone (especially in the early morning and at night), learn some self defense moves so if someone attacks you, you’re ready to escape or fight back, SCREAM! so that you get some attention your way, and honestly I can’t stress this enough, but never be with the opposite gender alone. A whopping 38% of rapes are committed by a friend/acquaintance. This is not at all overlooking the fact that you can be raped by the same sex, that you can be raped by a family member, or by someone you look up to/trust. This is the disgusting world we live in today and all one can do really is make du’aa that Allaah protects us from such vile acts and from such vile disgusting people. 

I honestly wish I could say not to worry, that you shouldn’t feel so scared, but I’m running empty on that and the harsh reality is that we should worry and we should be scared because such people are running around right now. Once again, may Allaah protect us from such evils, ameen.

When and if such a thing happens (may Allaah not make it so), the illegitimate child inherits after his mother. & not at all the one who committed this act. This is as far as my knowledge goes. Regarding the same last name as you, Allaah knows best. I say this because there are instances where the survivors of rape do not know their assailant. As stated though, he inherits after his mother and not at all the one who committed this act. Whether this includes the name, Allaah knows best.

My sincere apologies, but if I come across an answer or if someone more knowledgeable can answer, that would be best. 

Wa antee fajazaaki Allaahu khair. Wa asalaamu `alykum wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakaatu ! 

Here is where I obtained the little information I provided about the child inheriting after his mother. Perhaps the website can be more of help than I was. 

ps. At any point you want someone to talk to, by the Will and grace of Allaah, I am here. Have a good one, ukhtee ! 

assalaamualaykum brother, i know you get a lot of questions but i would like to ask you by Allah to please reply to this soon... if you are in your mid 20s and if you are unmarried, i would like to ask you how you deal with feeling agitated or sad or really lonely sometimes when thinking of marriage and after trying for a long time to find someone and after nothing seems to be working out... just need some advice and reminders... (i am a sister).

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakaatu, Sister. I pray you are in the best of health & eeman.

This question is one many people think and I commend you for asking because too often, people feel shy of asking such a natural question.

That being said, I hope what I say can be of help in any way and if not, say alhamdulilaah I didn’t charge you (so funny).

I had a student of mine at the Masjid who is at the ripe young age of 6 and has half the Qur’aan memorized already (mashaa Allaah tabark Allaah, may Allaah preserve him and may he grow and be upon righteousness, ameen). Now, to be honest when I found out, it made me so sad. It made me feel like here I am in my mid twenties and I don’t have half the Qur’aan memorized but this little baby did. Most times seeing someone accomplish something you constantly dream about, bursts your bubble a bit. So is the case with marriage. Perhaps your friends who are younger or older are married, engaged, having babies, etc. It makes you feel unaccomplished for being the age you are and still not fulfilling these conditions you think you should have met at a certain age.

Please remember that you can memorize half the Qur’aan and be 6 years old and you can memorize half the Qur’aan and be 37 or 45 or 75… age has nothing to do with us accomplishing a task. If anything, being reminded of our age hinders our motivation and almost blindsides us. Allaah never promised you anything because you’re in your mid 20’s. Allaah never promised me to memorize half or all of the Qur’aan simply because I’m in my mid 20’s. Allaah never promised anyone anything because of their age. It’s all about Qadr. Allaah knows what is best for you and you work on His time. When He wants to give you something, He gives it to you at the best possible time, and trust me, hayatee, it will all be worth the wait.

When you feel sad, find something that you need to work on regarding your deen and work work work on it. For me (let me get personal for a little bit), it was improving my Salaah. Not only did it motivate me to work work work, but it took my mind off the things I wanted and didn’t have. It made me feel like, Allaah wants me to focus on this right now and right here and right then and I am going to perfect it as perfectly as I could. When you focus like that, it really helps. It helps your tawakkul (trust) in Allaah. It helps your Sabr (patience) and it really helps your eeman (faith). Find that one thing (or several things) and work on them. Occupy your time with the deen and do as much as you can. Tell yourself to remove yourself from situations that remind you of it. If it’s tumblr, try to stay away for a while. If it’s your friends, tell them that you need some alone time and work on you. Find what works for you and try to always have positive thoughts. Whenever I start thinking about what I want, I try to remind myself that the All-Wise, knows what is best for me and perhaps He hasn’t given me what I want because it’s not the right time and maybe I am not the person I should be. Having Trust in Allaah really and truly helps.

& of course, one of my favourite ayaahs helps abundantly !,

And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out & will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose.
Qur’aan 65:2-3

Ukhtee, read the Qur’aan as often as you can and don’t go a day without reading it. Write down your feelings and put them in a sealed envelope (this works, okay). Exercise, take on baking and cooking or a sport or something to occupy your mind and before bed (so the thoughts don’t kick in), read what one should read before bed, draw, etc.

Also, please do not think you are the problem or issue. It’s not you at all, it is only that Allaah has not decreed for it to happen. Strive to supplicate as often as you can at all the recommended times for one to supplicate.

Include your family in your quest. They may be pleased in helping you and or may know someone that meets your qualifications. Or if you have friends, tell them about your situation and they may have cousins or brothers. Above all, nothing will make this matter better than Sabr, du’aa, and tawakkul ! If something is meant to happen, ukhtee, nothing will stop it from so. Nothing. & remember that the only thing that can change Qadr, is Du’aa. Whenever you feel sad, think about how this sadness isn’t really helping your situation. Yes, sadness is a natural feeling to have, but to be immersed in sadness will never get you where you need to be. Me being sad didn’t make me a Haafitha. Me being sad never changed my grade in that one class. Being sad wont change anything, all it’s doing is wasting time, time that can be used to turn to Allaah and complain to Him. Time that can be used to ask Allaah of what you want. Time that can be used to increase your eeman and sabr and tawakkul. Be careful how you use your time and honestly, I can not stress this enough: be patient. Be patient. Be patient. This is all khair. All these hardships are khair, and alhamdulilaah for all of them.

My sincere apologies for just rambling but I hope this was of help in some way. Above all, supplication helps immensely. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to message me and inshaa Allaah I will get back to you. I pray Allaah eases your struggles and expiates your sins for the pain/sadness you feel.

Wa asalaamu `alykum wa Rahmatullaah.

(I am a sister too).

asalamualaykkum. does henna on my nails affect wudhu?

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah ! I hope you are doing well and are in the best of health & eeman by the grace of Allaah.

What henna does is that it stains your hair, nails, or skin (wherever you choose to use it) and doesn’t prevent water from reaching your skin and nails. It is essential for water to be able to reach your skin and nails and anything that prevents it, nullifies your wudu (some examples: nailpolish, masks, henna that hasn’t dried off or been removed, etc.). Here is the fatwa from alifta.com,

A questioner asks: I heard that it is permissible for a woman to perform Salah (Prayer) while wearing nail polish; that is in case she applies it while she is ceremonially pure. What is the ruling if she invalidates her Wudu’ (ablution)? May Allah reward you well!

If the nail polish does not leave a film, such as henna, it does not affect Wudu’. She may submerge her hands in henna and perform Wudu’, because it has no thickness. Similar substances, which have no thickness and do not prevent water from reaching skin, do not affect Taharah (ceremonial purification) - that is, if she performs Wudu’ and then invalidates it, she may perform Wudu’ again without having to remove it.

However, if these substances have layers, such as nail polish or the like, it must be removed before performing Wudu’, because they prevent water from reaching the skin or nails. Similar to this is the presence of some dough or mud on one’s arm - it should be removed. If any of these substances, which have body, stain the hands or face, they must be removed. If nails were colored with polish, dough, henna or any substance that leaves a film, it has to be removed. Other substances, which do not have body and are merely colors, do not affect Wudu’.

Please note that the questioner asked about nailpolish, and the Scholar answered it and included henna in the answer. The link I provided leads to many more questions of the same nature (regarding henna and or nail polish) and inshaa Allaah they can be of help. Jazaaki’Allaahu khair !

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh 'Alaa! How are you? I hope you are in the best state of health and imaan! I am a sis who is full of anxiety and apprehension right now. If it doesn't bother you, I would like to ask some favor that you may include me in your dua that I won't be failing in Biochemistry, because I am almost on the edge of the passing grade. I know it's kinda silly, but my parents would feel sad and...*sigh.I don't know what to do. Jazakallah khair! With much love, ...

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakaatu, ukhtee! Alhamdulilaah I am doing well and yourself? Barak Allaah feekee and I hope that you too, are in the best of health & eeman.

Ukhtee, du’aa for a fellow Muslim is the least I can do. In regards to this, the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, ‘the same be for you”

[Muslim]

I understand you are full of anxiety; perhaps worried and stressed beyond words. However, strive to stay positive and healthy during these times. Your health is vital, so get sufficient amount of sleep, perhaps exercise to get the stress off, and eat healthy to ensure that your body is being taken care of. This will overall help with the anxiety and decrease the stress. Think positive! I understand that biochemistry may be difficult, but you must believe you can do it. If you are struggling with a concept, do what you can to get help through a tutor at your school/university. Use your time wisely so you spend more time on studying, writing notes, going online for help, etc. Please take my advice and always make use of tutors/help centers; this was the best advice I was given during my university years.

Furthermore, it’s not silly at all that your parents would be sad! Of course your they (and you) want you to do well and inshaa’Allaah you will. I believe that you know just what to do ukhtee, but it starts with you believing you can do it. The vital part is to organize your time wisely to ensure that enough time and focus is given to this subject. Figure out what areas you need help with; whether it be in writing notes, in understanding the concepts, etc. and go from there. Once you identify the problem areas, you can focus on them to overall improve.

Here is a list of the best times to make duaa. I think this will be of great help! Never fail in asking Allaah for anything as Allaah says in Suratul Ghaafir (40) verse 60, 

…”Call upon Me; I will respond to you…”

Here is a list of my personal study tips that I hope may be of benefit. & this is the du’aa that you recite to make the difficult easy,

اللهم لا سهل إلا ما جعلته سهلا أنت تجعل الحزن إذا ما شئت سهلا

 

Allahumma la sahla illaa ma ja-’altahu sahla wa anta taj ‘alu al hazana ithaa shi’ta sahla

O Allaah ! Nothing is easy except what You have made easy. If You wish, You can make the difficult easy.

My sincere apologies if I were intruding with such inquiry. My hopes were to actually get advice on how to memorize the Holy Qu'ran. May you have a blessed night, insha'Allah.

No need for apologies, at all! 

Mashaa’Allaah, may Allaah The Almighty reward you for your efforts and ease it for you to memorize the Qur’aan and to act upon it for His sake. 

I personally find it easier to memorize a Surah when I write it down in Arabic, look over the meaning and connect the story together. This might seem simple but sometimes it becomes easy to mix ayaahs and so this mechanism helps me recite the ayaahs in correct order. I write and rewrite until I memorize the ayah.

In your free time, download some Surahs to your iPod, MP3, or cellphone and constantly listen to them when you can. I can’t express how tremendously this has personally helped me in memorization. 

Another suggestion would be to join a Qur’an class at your local Masjid, congregate with people at your home, or perhaps find an online course (which are very common). This will help you and motivate you beyond measures especially being around others who are there for the same purpose. 

Find out what works for you personally, do you memorize better with people or on your own? Do you memorize better staring at the computer screen or through books? Do you memorize by simply reading and re-reading or by writing? Every person has a unique way when it comes to memorization and what works for you may not work for others. Once you find what works for you, stick to it and make it a habit. This is the most difficult part; not the memoriztion, but sticking to your plan and making it a habit. 

One must take it serious and dictate an allocated time each day or on particular days of the week and be consistent. Use a calender or an organizer. Google calendar is really really helpful because they send you alerts!

Here are some links that can help with memorization:

• [Uno] The Easiest Way to Memorize the Noble Qur’aan
• [Dos] Qur’aan Tracker (a site to help with memorization)
• [Tres*] House of Qur’aan (another memorization site)

* I have never used the site but it looks pretty nice! My sincere apologies for the shortage in memorization sites but I personally don’t use them because I find it easier to write in order to memorize and to listen continuously to a Surah. I also personally don’t advise anyone to use such sites for a prolonged period of time because it can be detrimental to one’s eye health. If you use such sites, do take a break and go look at nature or a soothing colour or something.

Also, make duaa for Allaah to ease memorization for you. Too often we go hard (or go home) studying such matters, but without the Blessings of Allaah, none of these things can be possible. Ask Him to ease it for you and make you of those that implement what you read. 

I hope this was of benefit and I hope that you too, have a blessed night. Wa asalaamu `alykum !

Salaam Alaykum Rahmatullahi Barakatu. I hope you're well insha'Allah. I have a question, have you memorized the Holy Qur'an?

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaahe wa Barakaatu! I am doing splendid, Jazaakum’Allaah khair. & yourself?

My sincere apologies but the answer to such a question is personal and between my Lord and I. 

I hope you are having a wonderful night!

Asalamo ailaykum wa Rahmatullahi waa barakatu. Sis I hope and pray all is well with you, I have been reading your blog for about 2 weeks. And Mashallah. May Allah reward you massively for the guidance remainders you give to countless people who you may never meet. I'm writing to you today because I'm in need of some advice on a rather private matter. Is there anyway I can inbox you or send you an email? JZK Your Sister in Islam

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakaatu. Alhamdulilaah I am doing fantastic and I pray you are in the best of health & eeman ! 

Allaahumma ameen for your kind duaas and may Allaah make me better than what you think of me and forgive me of what you don’t know of me and may He make this a means of benefit and for me to be sincere in all that I do. May Allaah reward you abundantly for your kindness. 

Yes, absolutely ! Just message me and we can go from there. Have a lovely day !

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah, just wanted to ask for advise... For some reason I lost all my motivation to study Arabic, Aqeedah, and just Islamic knowledge in general. I was the best in the class and I tell myself that I will continue but end up not going to my classes and just go to the library and do some uni work. I became so weak in eman and desperate. I know I need to seek knowledge, but I just don't want to. What shall I do?

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakaatu! I hope you are doing wonderful on this lovely day.

Mashaa’Allaah, it is good to see that at one point you were studying the deen and may Allaah reward you for that. It’s not uncommon for one to become unmotivated and or lazy towards their studying, but it shouldn’t become a habit of ours because then it becomes difficult to break. Allaah knows best, but ask yourself if you have become overwhelmed?

I think too often our motivation for learning and studying decreases when we realize how much more we have left to go. It’s like being in a race, looking behind you and seeing how far you’ve come but then looking ahead and seeing how much further you have left. It may get overwhelming, but you must remind yourself why it is you want to do it and whom you are doing it for. 

Why do you want to study Arabic, `Aqeedah, and Islaamic knowledge? Whom are you studying these for? Answer these questions and it may help you get more motivated. Ask yourself how far the dunyah knowledge will get you; I mean really you’ll do well, get good grades, get your desired profession, work well, earn good $$$, lead a good life.

But that knowledge wont teach you what this Surah means or the fundamentals of the deen in regards to this aspect or…the conditions for this act or…the proper way to do this or that. & if you have children in the future inshaa’Allaah, how will you teach them? What will you teach them? How will you give your family da’wah if all that is missing?

This goes for all of us, because most of us (if not all of us) at one point or another may get demotivated and lazy towards knowledge. It may become overwhelming and we may turn away from it. But that’s exactly what Shaytaan wants, yeah? Seek refuge from the Shaytaan and ask Allaah to increase you in beneficial ilm. Strive against your nafs and ask yourself why you are doing this and how it will benefit you; because really, it would benefit you immensely. Just knowing what to properly recite during Ruku’ can change the entire way you’re praying. Just knowing the Sunnah of what to say before bed may improve and increase your eeman, etc.

My naseeha to you is to organize your time and day. I find that whenever I become demotivated in studying, it’s because there is just too much going on. Take a deep breath, organize your closet, your room, clean what needs to be cleaned, take a hot shower, smell good, look good and sit down to study. Make a space for you to quietly study and always have a pen and paper with you to write down. Intend on learning a few things a week and implementing them; this may further motivate you to complete such tasks and improve them. 

Note that the Shahaadah itself has conditions and one of the conditions is Knowledge of Laa ilaaha ill Allaah, Muhammad ar-Rasoolullaah. Knowledge in and of itself is not just knowing something, it is to understand, believe, and implement what you know. How you implement what you know (in this case, the Shahaadah), it to implement what you read from the Qur’aan and Sunnah and the means to do that is to study important topics such as `Aqeedah, Fiqh, Arabic, etc. Knowledge also negates ignorance which is an important principle for all of us to follow.

This was worded so much better in my head. I hope this was of benefit in any way possible. 

Assalamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatu, hope all is well with you :) I have this problem with praying and I don't seem to know why. I wake up every morning with the intention to pray all five salaats, yet when it comes to dhuhr for example, I rush my wudu - or even worse don't make wudu at all, and then when I stand to pray, I just can't seem to do it. I feel like there's something missing, or just not there y'know. I can't concentrate, I can't seem to read the Qu'ran properly -

[cont.]- in a nutshell, it’s all going wrong. Trust me, I really, really don’t want to be like this. I am well aware that not praying equals getting out of the fold of Islam. Why would a person who knows and believes that still not pray? I don’t understand what is wrong with me, I really don’t. It’s not like I grew up around a family who neglects their prayers, yet I do it all the time and for a couple of years now. Whenever I try to read the Qu’ran too, or listen to it being recited it’s as if it has no effect on. Like my heart has been turned stone cold to its beauty and wisdom. I’m sorry that this was so long, but please, if you have any advice for me, let me know insha’Allah.

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakaatu! Alhamdulilaah all is swell on my end and I pray you are in the best of health & eeman. Do forgive me for the delayed answer and I hope that it is of benefit to you in any way.

I came across something a while back regarding how to improve one’s Salaah and one of the means was to concentrate on the Wudu. I think often times we regard Wudu as just an act of purification to prepare for Salaah, but it is an act of purification to prepare for Salaah, for our conversation and relationship with Allaah. After pondering over that piece of advice, I began to be more cautious of my Wudu, I slowed down, I focused on each part being purified because I was preparing it for my time with Allaah. I pass on that naseeha to you, reawaken the concept of Wudu by taking your time, focusing on what it is you’re doing, and who you are doing it for. It may seem like Wudu is separate from Salaah, but it does affect how you pray. The purification of ablution is preparing you for Salah, and being precise with that, will help you in being precise in your prayer (inshaa’Allaah).

Allaah, The Almighty states in the Qur’aan,

“O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, wipe (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. If you are in a state of Janaba (i.e., after a sexual discharge), purify yourselves (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you comes from responding to the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e., sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour to you that you may be thankful.” (5:6)

`Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said,

“He who performs the Wudu’ perfectly (i.e., according to Sunnah), his sins will depart from his body, even from under his nails.”
[Muslim].

The Merits of Ablution (Wudu)

Another piece of advice I was given that significantly changed my entire way of thinking and praying, is to go to each prayer and imagine it to be your last. Each prayer, even if your nafs (wrongly) reassures you that you will make it to the next one. This fear increases Hope in Allaah so that as you are praying your last prayer, you will die upon pleasing Him. It also increases the love one should have for their Creator and reignite the passion in one’s prayer. Truly, if we all prayed each prayer as if it was our last, our prayers would certainly improve. 

The following links are regarding how to improve (or create) Khushoo’ in one’s prayer:

• [Uno] Developing Humility in Prayer.
• [Dos] Khushoo’ in Salah.
• [Tres] Duaa for the one affected by whispers of Shaytaan.
• [Quatro] How to Maintain Khushoo’ in Prayer.
• [Cinco] The Reward for Khushoo’ & Beautification of the Prayer.
• [Seis] Obstacles to Khushoo’

That feeling you have of something missing and is not there, is that connection you want (and need) in order for you to properly pray and show gratitude to Allaah. & as you are aware, it is you who must fill that gap in your chest by striving to draw near to Him. Turn to Him in moments of ease and moments of hardship, increase in reading the Words of Allaah, ponder over their meaning, and implement what it is you read. Implement the Sunnah and strive to improve your relationship to Allaah by drawing near to Him. 

In a hadeeth Qudsi, Allaah, The All Mighty states,

‘I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.”

Bukhaaree, Muslim, Tirmidhee and Ibn Majah. On the Authority of Abu Huraira (radi’Allaahu anhu) who narrated it from the Prophet Muhammad (sallah Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam).

Furthermore, I understand you don’t want to be in this state and this is a beautiful indication that you are striving to improve. May Allaah ease your affairs and reward you for your efforts. To answer your question as to why a person with knowledge about the prohibition of leaving Salah is still leaving it, Allaah knows best.

All I can tell you is that the servants of Allaah at times have low eeman and at times have high eeman. When we are at our lowest eeman, Shaytaan finds an open window, comes in, and whispers sweet nothings into our hearts. These sweet nothings can either be forgotten, or they can sprout seeds of doubt and further decrease our eeman. Nonetheless, whenever one realizes they have low eeman, one must seek refuge in Allaah and strive strive strive to work towards ending the cycle. 

When the nafs becomes accustomed to something for a period of time, it becomes the norm and all else becomes almost a crime against society. So perhaps your nafs has become so used to being in this state, that it wants to remain in that state. But you must discipline your nafs and take control over it, rather than have it take control over you. Perhaps the issue here is just that, your nafs has taken control and you are struggling to gain back the control.

It was narrated by Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-‘Aas (radi’Allaahu anhu) that the Prophet Muhammad (sallah Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to say,

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِى عَلَى دِينِكَ

Yaa Muqallibal Quloob Thabbit Qalbee ‘alaa Deenik.

“Oh turner of the hearts (Allah, the Most High), keep our hearts firm on your religion“

[Authenticated by al-Albanee in al-Jaam’i as-Sagheer 1323/7988]

Full hadeeth & details. 

If I may add (and this is very important), when seeking to improve one’s prayer, one of the most vital means is to ponder over the verses you are reciting. What I do that helps, is that whenever my prayer is not up to par, I continue the Salah with a Surah reminding me of the Last Day; like Az-Zalzalah. Surahs that inflict fear in my heart; like Suratul Ma’uun, and so on. As you read, ponder over the Words of Allaah. Here is a link that breaks down the Secrets of Al-Faatihah & what it contains. Most times, understanding what you are saying, improves your state overall and increases focus and attentiveness. 

Another personal suggestion is to get ready for Salah. Make sure your attire is presentable and not just something you took out to cover yourself. Remind yourself that this is a meeting between you and the King, should you not present yourself in a beautiful way? This may also improve your Salah, because putting care in preparing for it might put care in doing it. 

Other suggestions is to prolong your Sajdah (sujood) and as the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: 

The closest that a person comes to his Lord is when he is in sujood [so say a great deal of du’aa in sujood].

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (radiallaahu ‘anhu); Saheeh Muslim

We always have to improve our Prayers, because this is not an act that one should be heedless of. Alhamdulilaah you understand the prohibition of leaving Salah, but the reminders help the Believers and I just want to remind you (and all of us):

• Reminder. 

May Allaah, the Turner of Hearts, keep our hearts firm on His religion and may He increase our eeman and make us of those who righteously obey Him and earn His pleasure. May Allaah forgive us of our sins and grant us His Mercy. Ameen. 

Have a lovely short break filled with remembrance of Allah in shaa Allah ukhtee. I will miss you :( lots of hugs and hearts xxx

This was lovely, but turn that frown upside down ! Barak Allaah feeki, ukhtee fillaah. Haha, so when will you go off anon and let me know who this lovely soul is?

asalamu alaykum. i dont get the moon of pluto. i thought they is only one moon?

Wa `alykum asalaam wa Rahmatullaah! 

Pluto actually has 5 (known) moons called Charon, Nix, Hydra, P4, and P5. The link I had was because there was a contest to name the last two discovered moons (P4 & P5).

Here’s an image,

I think you may be referring to the Earth which has only one orbiting moon? (but it doesn’t because there are actually minimoons that orbit the earth too, read this). Subhan’Allaah.