During a fierce battle, Ali (RA) was struck by an arrow in his foot. The depth of the wound implied that its removal would be torturous. A surgeon offered to alleviate the pain, but Ali (RA) had a different appraoch.

As Ali (RA) immersed himself in salaah, the surgeon discreetly extracted the arrow. After completing his salaah, Ali inquired, “Did you remove the arrow?”

This episode not only underscores Ali's profound connection to his salaah, but also introduces a phenomenon that modern science is beginning to appreciate:

The Flow state.

At some point, we've all experienced that seamless union between mind and body that propels us into a state of ecstasy, clarity, and peak performance.

By regularly engaging in salaah, we condition ourselves to access this state more efficiently, infusing our day with moments of “coolness.”

To enhance our next salaah, here are three things we can remember:

1. Breathe: Let's focus on taking deep, diaphragmatic breaths throughout our salaah.

2. Connect: We should feel our feet grounded, maintain a straight posture, and savor the full stretch during transitions.

3. Extend: Let's take our time in each position, adding an extra breath or dhikr, and linger a little longer in contemplation after recitation.