Why do I struggle to pray easily on some nights?

It is a profound and significant question you have posed, one that resonates deeply with the spiritual experiences of many of us. Feeling that we cannot pray easily on some nights, or that our hearts struggle to find tranquility in supplication to God, is a clear sign of your spiritual awareness, indicating that you are seeking to understand and improve this state. The Holy Quran, our guiding light in all aspects of life, including our spiritual journey, indirectly but profoundly addresses the reasons behind these difficulties and illuminates the paths to overcome them. One of the primary reasons that can make us feel difficulty in prayer is excessive attachment to worldly life and its preoccupations. The Quran repeatedly warns us not to let the allurements of this world, our wealth, and our children divert us from the remembrance of Allah. The human heart is like a vessel; when it becomes filled with material desires and concerns, there is little room left for divine light and the tranquility of God's remembrance. Our minds and thoughts are often consumed throughout the day by professional, financial, social, and family matters. These engagements, even when we intend to worship, can act as a veil between us and our Lord. As the Quran states: "O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers." (Surah Al-Munafiqun, 63:9). This verse explicitly indicates that if our wealth and children distract us from God's remembrance, we are indeed among the losers. When the mind is engrossed in planning for a material future, worrying about losing status, or even simply pondering a daily issue, concentrating on supplication to the Creator of the universe becomes challenging. This is what the Quran refers to as "heedlessness" (Ghaflah), a state it frequently warns against, considering it the root of many spiritual and psychological problems. Heedlessness causes the human heart to become dry and hardened, making it unable to perceive the tenderness of prayer and supplication; it is as if a thick layer of dust has settled on the heart's mirror, preventing the light of truth from shining through and distancing one from a spiritual state. A second crucial factor is the impact of sins and disobedience on the human soul and psyche. Every sin casts a blemish on the mirror of the heart, and if these blemishes are not removed through repentance, they gradually lead to darkness and turbidity of the heart. A murky and darkened heart cannot easily connect with divine light or benefit from it. Sins are like a heavy burden on a person's shoulders, preventing them from soaring towards spirituality. The Quran, in numerous verses, highlights the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance (Tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (Istighfar). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The heart is like a mirror, over which sins cast dust, and repentance removes that dust." When we commit a sin, we may feel regret and a heavy conscience, which affects the quality of our presence of heart (Hudur al-Qalb) during prayer. A feeling of guilt can lead us to deem ourselves unworthy of supplicating to God, and this in itself is a psychological barrier to prayer. However, it is vital to remember that Allah is the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim) and has always kept the door of repentance open, so His servants can purify their hearts by returning to Him and taste the sweet liberation from the burden of sin. This return not only erases sins but also illuminates and prepares the heart for a deeper connection with the Creator. The third factor is the whispers of the accursed Satan (Shaitan). Satan is constantly striving to deviate humans from the path of truth, and one of his most important goals is to create a distance between humanity and its Lord. He tries to strip away the sweetness of worship and supplication by instilling doubts, inspiring despair, and distracting the mind with trivial matters. When you begin to pray, thousands of scattered thoughts might suddenly flood your mind, or you might feel drowsiness and lethargy. These can be tricks of Satan to deter you from this divine connection. The Holy Quran advises us to seek refuge in Allah from his whispers: "Say, 'I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind, The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer - Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind - From among the jinn and mankind.'" (Surah An-Nas, 114:1-6). This act of seeking refuge is itself a form of struggle against Satan's influence and strengthens one's resolve for connection with God. Satan always attempts to diminish your connection with Allah. The stronger this connection, the more displeased he becomes, and he tries to draw you towards actions he favors and Allah does not. These whispers cause the human mind to become entangled, preventing it from focusing on prayer and supplication and robbing one of spiritual focus. A fourth reason can be a lack of sincere presence of heart (Hudur al-Qalb) and insufficient understanding of God's grandeur. If we do not truly know to whom we are speaking, or if the words of prayer are merely uttered by the tongue and do not emanate from the depths of the heart, the prayer will not have the desired impact and will lead to feelings of fatigue and reluctance. The Quran states: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56). The purpose of creation is worship, but not soulless worship; rather, it is conscious worship with presence of heart. To achieve this presence, one should seclude oneself briefly before prayer, reflect on the greatness of God and one's own humility, and purify one's intention. The more our knowledge and understanding of Allah deepen, the greater our longing for communion with Him becomes, and this longing is the key to opening the heart's gateways to experience the sweetness of prayer. So, what is the solution? The Quran not only highlights the problems but also provides the solutions. These remedies include practical and spiritual actions that can help us remove these barriers and achieve inner peace in prayer: 1. Constant Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr): The Quran strongly emphasizes Dhikr. Dhikr is not merely uttering God's name, but rather a continuous remembrance of His presence in all moments of life. "Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." (Surah Ar-Ra'd, 13:28). Peaceful hearts are those that remember God. The more we remember God throughout the day, the more prepared our hearts will be for night supplications. This remembrance can include reciting the Quran, saying specific glorifications (tasbihat), or even contemplating divine creation and the signs of His power and mercy. Starting with simple, short forms of Dhikr and gradually increasing them can be highly effective. 2. Continuous Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar): Cleansing the mirror of the heart from the dust of sins is the key to a sincere connection with God. Whenever you feel a spiritual heaviness, immediately repent and seek forgiveness from Allah. Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Merciful, and He rejoices in the return of His servants. Constant Istighfar not only erases sins but also brings spiritual peace, removes sorrow from the heart, and prepares it to receive divine light. 3. Seeking Refuge in Allah from Satan: Before beginning prayer, by saying "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan) and reciting Surahs An-Nas and Al-Falaq, you place yourself under Allah's protection. This act helps you create a spiritual fortress against satanic whispers and enables you to engage in supplication with greater focus. 4. Reducing Attachment to Worldly Life: This recommendation does not mean abandoning the world, but rather not being excessively dependent on it. It implies using the world as a means to reach the Hereafter, not as an ultimate goal. Through charity, contentment, and simple living, we can reduce material attachments and lighten the heart, making it more ready to receive divine light and attend to spiritual matters. This involves a balanced management of time and energy between worldly and otherworldly affairs. 5. Contemplating Divine Verses and Studying the Quran: When a person reflects on the grandeur of creation and the power of God, a natural need for Him and a desire to supplicate Him are ignited within. Reflecting on the meanings of Quranic verses is also a way to deepen this connection. The verses of the Quran are full of wisdom and guidance that can nourish the human soul and pave the way for presence of heart in prayer. Regular and contemplative study of the Quran brings peace to the heart and increases spiritual insight. 6. Perseverance and Steadfastness: Sometimes, difficulty in prayer is temporary. By persevering and not losing hope, these obstacles can be overcome. Allah rewards the patient, and every effort to draw closer to Him will not go unrewarded. Even if it seems difficult at first, continuing and not giving up on oneself will lead to divine openings. Every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal. Ultimately, you should remember that Allah is aware of our innermost intentions. Even if you feel your prayer is not flowing well, your very effort and desire to connect with Him are valuable in the sight of Allah. Do not despair of divine mercy and always strive to keep your heart alive with His remembrance. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, and He hears even the silent lament of the heart and responds. Be assured that with perseverance and effort, these obstacles will be removed, and you will experience the true delight of sincere supplication.