The Secret of Salaah

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:

The secret of the Salaah, its soul and core is the slave’s turning to Allah in totality whilst in the prayer. Therefore, just as it is not befitting that he turns his face away from the Qiblah to other than it during the Salaah, it is likewise not befitting to turn his heart away from his Lord to other than Him during the Salaah. Rather he (the slave) makes the Ka’bah, which is the house of Allah, the Qiblah of his face and body. (Likewise) he makes the Lord of the House the Qiblah of his heart and soul. So according to how much the servant turns to Allah in his Salaah, (then this) will determine how much Allah turns towards him. And if he (the slave) was to turn away, then Allah will turn away from him. And (the saying goes): “as he lives, he is treated (accordingly).”

Source: Asraarus-Salaah, pg. 75