Lack of sense leads to acts of foolishness, allowing them to mothball into comical gags. Ibrahim Al-Nazzam was once asked, “What are the limits of foolishness?” To which he replied, “You asked about that which has no limits.”

Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid’s little book is perhaps one of the most widely-circulated among Muslims today. This is because the topic touches worshippers where it hurts—we know that we often lapse into an automatic sort of prayer when we lose concentration. The Shaykh points out that this loss of concentration really stems from a lack of humility and devotion—in Arabic, khushoo‘. His aim in writing this book is to help us to get back that khushoo‘. His step-by-step approach makes it simple. He gives practical advice and uses the excellent example of the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) to guide us, so that as worshippers, we can truly return to a state of humility and devotion before the Lord.

Abdur-Rahmân Nâsir as-Sa‘di, a distinguished scholar of the twentieth century, provides an emotional and literary text in this succinct yet comprehensive work. He offers insightful and motivational thoughts as he examines the nuanced meanings contained in a few chosen Qur’anic passages. The book covers topics like the Prophets’ prayers, Allah’s high qualities, legal debates on waiting periods, abstinence oaths, and bequests, as well as the usefulness of Qur’anic laws in day-to-day living.