You'll never make wudhu or pray the same again (inshaaAllaah)!!

An Important issue!!
 

Sheikh ibn 'Uthaimeen  رحمه الله  said: 

"I wish to remind myself and (all of) you about an important issue, which is: 
 

All of us make wudhu when we desire to pray, but the majority of the time the people merely do so to establish a condition of worship [i.e. the prayer]. And there is nothing wrong with this for the goal is reached. But there is something greater and more complete than this:

Firstly: When you want to make wudhu you should seek to feel that you're actualizing the command of Allaah in His statement:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ

"O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles..."
(Al-Maaidah:6)

So that the meaning of worship is actualized for you.

Secondly: When you want to make wudhu you should seek to feel that you are surely following the Messenger of Allaah صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم .

For indeed he said  صلى الله عليه و سلم : 

"Whoever makes wudhu like this wudhu of mine then prayed two units..."

(Bukhaari and Muslim)

Then at this time it will be sincere and following [the Sunnah].

Thirdly: Seeking the reward from Allaah  عزّ وجل  by that wudhu. Because that wudhu expiates the sins. And the sins of the hand are removed with the last drop of water from washing the hand. And like this the [sins of the] rest [of the body parts].

These are three tremendous and sublime meanings :

1. To follow the command of Allaah;

2. To follow the command of His messenger  صلى الله عليه و سلم;

3. Whilst seek His reward].

We are headless of this the majority of the time.

Likewise if you wanted to pray and you have stood for the prayer you should seek to feel [that you are fulfilling] the command of Allaah.

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ

"And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât).."

(Al-Baqarah:43)

Then you should seek to feel that you are following the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم  when he said:

"Pray as you have see. Me pray."

(Bukhaari)

Then seek the reward because this prayer is an expiation [for the minor sins committed] between it and the other prayers. 

This (reward) misses us a lot, we ask Allaah to deal with us with His forgiveness- we do not feel the affect of worship how we should even though we bear witness by Allaah, indeed the prayer prevents [a person] from Al-Fahsha' [i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual intercourse, etc.)], and Al-Munkar [disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and wicked deeds; to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islaam, etc.)].

But who from the people if he prayed his thoughts change and his prayer prevents him from Al-Fahsha' [i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual intercourse, etc.)], and Al-Munkar [disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and wicked deeds; to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islaam, etc.)]?

O' Allaah only but a few, because the intended meanings have been lost."

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Source:
Sharh Arba'een An-Nawawi li Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih 'Uthaimeen (pg. 252-254)