How can I dedicate more time to prayer?

Prayer, or Salat, is often described as the pillar of faith and the believer's ascension, an unparalleled opportunity for direct communion with the Creator of the universe. However, in today's bustling and demanding world, many of us face the challenge of “making time” for this vital obligation. The Holy Quran, while not directly teaching modern time management techniques for prayer, provides profound and foundational principles that naturally lead us to dedicate sufficient and quality time to prayer. The first and most crucial point emphasized by the Quran is the exalted status of prayer as a divine obligation and a means of seeking help and finding tranquility. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 153, Allah Almighty says: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” This verse illustrates that prayer is not merely a duty but a profound source of strength and serenity in navigating life's challenges. When a person truly believes that prayer is their refuge and helper, they no longer perceive it as a burden but eagerly turn to it and make time for it. This understanding is the primary step in cultivating an internal motivation to dedicate time to prayer. Here, prayer is presented not as a mere mechanical act, but as a steadfast pillar supporting a person's entire life. Whoever grasps the true value of this pillar will naturally prioritize it, structuring their life's schedule around it. This deep realization transforms prayer from a chore into a cherished opportunity for spiritual replenishment and guidance, an opportunity that every believer should embrace wholeheartedly and make the necessary time for. Secondly, the Quran constantly reminds us of the profound significance of prayer and its role in purifying the soul. In Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 45, we read: “Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” This verse explicitly states that prayer has a formative and preventive role against sin and evil. When an individual comprehends that prayer is a potent tool for safeguarding them from transgressions and guiding them towards virtues, they will not easily neglect it. This perspective elevates prayer from a mere ritualistic act to a vital component for psychological and spiritual well-being, motivating individuals to clear their schedules for such a valuable investment. This continuous purification, achieved through prayer, is like water cleansing the heart and removing the rust of sins. Understanding this vital benefit leads to a greater desire for consistent and quality engagement in prayer, compelling a person to overcome time constraints. The third strategy is prioritization, which the Quran implicitly and sometimes explicitly alludes to. In Surah Al-Jumu'ah, verse 9, Allah commands believers: “O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.” While this verse specifically refers to Friday prayer, its overarching message about prioritization is clear: when the divine call to prayer is made, even important worldly affairs like trade must be set aside. This demonstrates that in the clash between worldly and spiritual matters, divine and devotional acts must take precedence. To allocate more time for prayer, we must shift our mindset to view prayer not as an interruption, but as the central pivot around which other activities should be arranged. If we centralize prayer, we pre-determine its times and adjust our other plans accordingly, rather than the other way around. This shift in prioritization and scheduling not only helps us devote more time to prayer but also brings blessings and order to other aspects of our lives, leading to a profound sense of inner peace. Fourthly, constancy and persistence in the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr). Although prayer itself is the greatest form of remembrance, the Quran also recommends a more general and continuous remembrance of God. In Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, it states: “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” When the remembrance of Allah flows continuously in a person's heart, they are always in connection with their Lord. This constant recollection ensures that prayer is not an alien or imposed obligation for them, but rather they move naturally and eagerly towards prayer, which is the zenith of remembrance of Allah. One whose heart finds tranquility in the remembrance of Allah yearns for more opportunities to remember Him, including prayer. This persistence in Dhikr causes prayer to transform from a habit into a heartfelt need, consequently leading a person to spontaneously dedicate more time and attention to it. This state fosters a continuous connection with the origin of existence, ultimately enhancing both the quality and quantity of time devoted to prayer, and organizing life in the light of divine remembrance. Fifth, cultivating presence of mind (khushu') and the quality of prayer. The Quran emphasizes “establishing prayer” (إِقَامَةَ الصَّلَاةَ), not merely performing it. Establishing prayer means fulfilling it completely with all its outward and inward conditions and manners, including presence of mind. Although this is not directly related to “making time,” when the quality of prayer improves and one derives spiritual pleasure from it, their inclination to repeat and prolong it increases. This quality is the result of delving deeper into the meaning of prayer and truly understanding the connection with Allah. A person who prays with presence of mind finds such tranquility and blessing that it encourages them to dedicate more time, perhaps even to supererogatory (nafl) prayers. In other words, an increase in quality leads to an increase in quantity and internal desire, transforming prayer into a beloved and pleasant activity that one actively seeks opportunities to perform. Ultimately, to dedicate more time to prayer, we must transform this obligation from a mere “must” into an “inner need.” The Quran guides us towards this by explaining the philosophy of prayer, its benefits, and its place in a believer's life. By understanding that prayer is a pillar of tranquility, a cleanser of sins, and a means of divine assistance, and by prioritizing it over worldly matters, as well as by consistently remembering Allah, we can naturally and with greater love and eagerness devote our time to this meaningful connection with the Lord. This not only entails adjusting our daily schedule but, more importantly, adjusting and rectifying our hearts and intentions. When our hearts and minds are directed towards prayer, finding and dedicating time for it will no longer be a challenge; instead, it will become the sweetest moments of our day. It is this heartfelt, internal commitment that paves the way for allocating sufficient and quality time to prayer, transforming it into an inseparable part of our very being, and bringing blessings to all aspects of life.