Are You Making These Common Prayer Mistakes?

Salah is the second pillar of Islam, a direct connection between us and Allah ﷻ. We strive to perform it with presence, sincerity, and precision. But sometimes, out of habit or lack of knowledge, we may slip into common mistakes during prayer — often without realising it.

The good news? Allah is Most Merciful. What matters is that we learn, correct, and try again. Here are some of the most frequent mistakes Muslims make in salah — and how to fix them.

Why It’s Important to Correct Mistakes in Salah

Prayer is more than just movements — it’s a conversation with our Creator. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once said:
“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
(Bukhari)

That means it’s essential we follow the Sunnah closely and avoid small but significant errors that can affect the quality or even the validity of our salah.

At My Salah Mat, we help both children and adults build a strong foundation in salah. Whether you’re just learning or looking to improve, awareness is the first step toward excellence.

1. Rushing Through the Movements

This is one of the most common mistakes. Sometimes we pray on autopilot — quickly bowing and rising without taking our time. The Prophet ﷺ emphasised tranquillity in each position.

🛑 Mistake: Not fully completing ruku (bowing) or sujood.
✅ Fix: Pause in each movement. Say the tasbeeh slowly. Let your heart catch up to your actions.

2. Lack of Focus or Khushu (Presence of Heart)

Our bodies may be standing in prayer, but our minds are chasing errands, emails, or dinner plans. While distractions are human, khushu’ is the essence of salah.

🛑 Mistake: Letting your thoughts wander completely.
✅ Fix: Reflect on the meaning of what you’re saying. Try to visualise standing before Allah. Short surahs with reflection are better than long ones with no focus.

3. Incorrect Pronunciation of Surahs and Du’as

Pronunciation matters, especially in Qur’anic recitation. Mispronouncing certain words can change the meaning entirely.

🛑 Mistake: Reciting incorrectly due to lack of practice or learning.
✅ Fix: Take time to learn tajweed, even slowly. Practice regularly. Tools like My Salah Mat can help children (and even adults!) build confidence in reciting properly.

4. Not Covering Awrah Properly

Salah requires proper clothing that covers the body as prescribed by Islamic guidelines.

🛑 Mistake: Wearing clothes that are too short, tight, or reveal parts of the body during sujood.
✅ Fix: Always check your prayer clothes. For men, ensure from navel to knees is covered. For women, full-body coverage (excluding face and hands) is essential.

5. Praying Before the Time Enters

Sometimes out of haste or routine, we may pray before the correct time. But salah has set windows — and praying before its time invalidates it.

🛑 Mistake: Assuming it’s time without checking.
✅ Fix: Use prayer apps, check the masjid timetable, and verify each salah time, especially for Fajr and Maghrib.

Let’s Keep Improving – Together

Correcting mistakes in salah is not about guilt — it’s about growth. The more we care about our prayer, the more it will impact our hearts, homes, and daily lives.

At My Salah Mat, we believe learning how to pray — and how to pray correctly — should be easy, enjoyable, and lifelong. Whether you're teaching your child or revisiting the basics yourself, there's always room to improve with love and intention.