By Maryam Amirebrahimi

Struggling with Salah? You’re Not Alone — Here’s How to Start

Many of us quietly ask:

“I care about prayer, I want to pray my five daily prayers on time… but I keep struggling. How do I finally get into it?”

The fact that you even care is a sign that Allah wants you close. Let that sink in. Many people don’t feel this pull at all. You, however, are feeling it—that’s divine love in action. The question now is: will you answer that call?

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Why Prayer Matters So Much

Think of prayer as a lifeline, not a checklist. It’s the only ritual in Islam that must be repeated daily, without exception. That’s not a burden—it’s an invitation. Prayer is the oxygen of your soul.

“The first thing the people will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer…”
(Ahmad)

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But… How Do I Actually Start Praying Regularly?

Building a habit of praying five times a day is possible, just like brushing your teeth, eating meals, or exercising. Let’s break it down into five powerful steps:

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1. Reframe Salah as a Need, Not a Chore

Remember how you learned to eat when you were hungry? It became second nature because it nourished you. Prayer works the same way—but for your soul. Each prayer is your soul calling out, asking:

“Will you feed me, or let me starve?”

Neglecting prayer weakens the soul just like junk food weakens the body. But the soul isn’t like the body—it can always be revived. Even the “dead heart” can be brought back to life by Salah.

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2. Understand Prayer as a Personal Investment

Make it emotional. Write two lists:

• One with everything you’re grateful for

• One with everything you’re struggling with

Then, during each of the five daily prayers, focus on just one item from either list.

• Use prayer to say thank you to Allah.

• Or pour out your pain and beg for help.

“Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil…”
(An-Naml 27:62)

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3. Set Simple, Trackable Goals (and Reward Yourself!)

You don’t have to start with all five prayers right away. Build gradually, but intentionally. Use a journal, app, or sticky notes. Here’s a sample 3-week goal:

Week 1:

Daily Goal – Pray 2 prayers on time.
✅ Reward: Favorite dessert
❌ Consequence: Clean kitchen

Week 2:

Daily Goal – Pray 3 prayers on time.
✅ Reward: Game night
❌ Consequence: No social media

Week 3:

Daily Goal – Pray 4 prayers on time… and keep going.

Small wins build momentum and consistency. You’re training your soul like a muscle.

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4. Use Tools and Teamwork

You’re not in this alone. Ask a trusted friend to be your Salah accountability buddy. Set a reminder system—here are some great apps to explore:

• Muslim Pro

• Athan

• Pillars

• MyPrayer

• Productive Muslim Habit Tracker

Let technology serve your spirituality, not distract from it.

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5. Keep Going – Even When You Don’t Feel It

There will be days of spiritual highs where your soul soars in sujood…
And days of drought, when you feel nothing.

That’s normal.

Don’t stop because it doesn’t feel amazing. You don’t stop eating healthy just because broccoli tastes bland today. You keep going because your body needs it. Your soul needs Salah even more.

“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive…”
(Al-Baqarah 2:45)

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Final Words of Hope

“I am as My servant thinks of Me. …If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.”
(Hadith Qudsi)

Take that first step today. Don’t wait to feel perfect. Start with one prayer. Then two. Then three. Fall. Miss. Get up again. This journey is yours—and Allah is waiting, already reaching out to you.

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🌙 Prayer is not just a ritual. It’s your revival.

Start now. Keep going. You’re already on your way home.

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Source: suhaibwebb.com