Acknowledging one’s own weakness when leading the prayer

Question

Whenever I happen to have the opportunity to lead the prayer, before making the niyya while standing on the prayer place I think to myself in my heart: “O Allah, with my deficient tawhid, iman and purity I am standing as an intermediary among these servants of Yours — forgive this, and grant my prayer humility and submissiveness (khushu‘ and khudu‘).” After that I make the niyya. What is the ruling on this?

Answer

Expressing such an acknowledgement of one’s own helplessness and weakness before beginning the prayer is appropriate.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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