Reflecting honestly on your prayer

Consider five levels of care: neglecting preparation and essential actions; preserving the outward requirements while being carried away by distractions; preserving them while actively resisting distractions; giving full attention to performing the prayer correctly; and doing all of this with a heart deeply occupied with Allah. These are prompts for self-examination, not labels to assign to other people.

Ask: did I pray within the time, purify correctly and settle in each posture? Did I understand the words? When my thoughts wandered, did I bring them back? What changed in my conduct afterwards? Choose a specific improvement for the next prayer.

Guard against outwardly displaying more humility than is inwardly present. Sincerity matters more than appearing devout, and private worship must also be protected from self-admiration. Do not turn reflection into a numerical judgment of acceptance.