There are four rules for the acceptance of prayer:
The first one is:The Sincerity towards Allah Almighty (intention): The servant should intend by his prayer to seek the pleasure of Allah Almighty alone, and to obey His command, without hypocrisy or seeking reputation.
Second: Following the Sunnah: The prayer should conform to what the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, brought in its form, pillars, and obligations, so no innovation should be introduced into it.
Third: The scene of truthfulness and advice: that he accepts it wholeheartedly, striving to perform it in the most complete way, including its pillars, duties, and traditions, and exerting his effort in achieving it.
Fourth: The scene of Ihsan (observation): This is the highest level, to worship Allah as if one sees him, or to be mindful that Allah is in one’s direction of prayer and is conversing with him, and that He is aware of him.
Fifth: The scene of grace: that the servant bears witness that grace is due to Allah alone in that He placed him in this position and enabled him to stand before him. Were it not for Allah, he would not have prayed and were it not for Allah, he would not have been guided.