Seeking a deeper connection in salah, especially for those feeling a bit lost
Salam. I wanted to share something I'm struggling with. I've been feeling really down and kind of hollow a lot of the time, and this doesn't just disappear when I pray. My family situation is tough and is a big part of it. I'm actually hoping to move away soon for a fresh start. But the weird thing is, my salah feels so empty lately, even though I'm trying. I've noticed that my prayers feel the most real and sincere when I'm outside in nature, completely on my own. I might not even be dressed formally for salah-no hijab or anything-but in those quiet moments, my heart just starts thanking Allah (SWT) on its own. I begin to notice all the tiny, beautiful details of His creation, and it's so powerful it sometimes makes me want to recite Quran quietly to myself. I remember one time, a few months back, I was alone in a forest during a trip. The sheer beauty of the world Allah made was so overwhelming it brought me to tears. That was probably one of the last times my prayer felt truly full of feeling. Does anyone have any advice? How can I bring that feeling of connection into my daily salah? Maybe some Quranic verses about nature and creation that I could reflect on? I'm open to any suggestions that might help make my prayers feel more meaningful. Jazakum Allahu khayran.