Eeman
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Salam alaikum
The word "Salat" and its derivates occur in the Scripture over 70 times and is emphasized by God Almighty as a critical aspect for the spiritual development and progress of believers.
According to the Sunnis and Shia, the Salat was decreed by God to the prophet Mohammed during the night of ascension, in which God decreed 50 Salats per day, only to be reduced to 5 Salats per day due to pleading of the prophet.
While the average Sunni or Shai may not have any problem with the above tale, it is not only blasphemous that God would not know what to decree upon His creation, but it is also historically false as God has showed us many times that all the prophets prior to Mohammed knew Salat and carried it out along with their families and followers (see Qur'an 6:162, 10:87, 11:87, 14:37, 19:31, 31:17).
What is Salat?
Not only do the Sunnis and Shia distort the truth regarding the origin of Salat, but they also confuse and confound its purpose by teaching that salat is a "ritual prayer" decreed by God to take place at specific times during the day and that non-adherence to this prayer will result in Hell fire.
While there is no doubt that we are commanded to "hear & obey" any and all commands from our Lord (see 2:285), we are at the same time commanded not to uphold that which we have not verified ourselves (see 17:36).
According to the Qur'an, the correct Salat is a vehicle by which help is sought and given and by which people are assisted to avoid evil and vice:
"And seek help through patience, and through the Salat. It is a difficult thing, but not so for the humble" (2:45)
"Recite what is inspired to you of the Scripture, and hold the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do." (29:45)
Can those who carry out the "ritual prayer" claim to have achieved such goals?
The closest match for the word "Salat" is the Arabic root word "Silla" which, in its most basic form, means: 'to link/connect.' Also, unlike "prayer," which is one-way in nature, the meaning of "link/connection" implies a more encompassing two-way relationship, where not only are prayers made, but also answers and guidance given.
Therefore, the word Salat, using a more accurate and correct definition based on its usage in the Qur'an, would best be termed as:
"a communion with God"
However, the above needs to be qualified by stating that God chooses not to speak in person with most humans, and therefore the communion with God will always be through a 'barrier' of sorts:
"And it is not for any human being that God would speak to him, except through inspiration, or from behind a barrier, or by sending a messenger to inspire whom He wills by His leave. He is Most High, Wise." (42:51)
How to carry out the Salat?
To commune with the Almighty requires certain steps and preparations that God has ordained with His knowledge. It must also be remembered that since humankind have been tainted by the forbidden tree and expelled from the higher plain of earthly paradise, then we are not worthy to approach the majesty and holiness of our Lord without carrying out His instructions and conditions.
Timing for Salat
According to the Quran, the times for which communion can be carried out are the hours around dusk and around dawn.
"And you shall hold the Salat at the two edges of the day, during the near parts of the night*. The good deeds take away the bad. This is a reminder to those who remember." (11:114)
"You shall hold the Salat at the setting of the sun until the darkness of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the Qur’an at dawn is witnessed." (17:78)
* The above verse is normally translated as referring to three Salat times (the two edges of the day and a part of the night), however, the Arabic word used is "zulfan" which is a plural form meaning "the near parts" (see 34:37, 39:3 for the singular use of the word). The correct meaning therefore is the two edges of the day, moving towards the adjacent parts of the night.
The time frame that is being looked at for the Salat is around 45-60 minutes (from the beginning of sundown until the darkness of the night, and, from the dark part of the night until the first rays of light appear).
A couple of observations that can be made regarding these times are:
the ease with which such time-frame is remembered simply by having the marker of sundown and sunset;
the tranquility that these two times posses both in terms of reduced sunlight, as well as the free-time that would be found being before the beginning of a work day or after its end.
Purification/Cleansing of the Body
Another step to holding the Salat is one of ritual washing/cleaning of the body using either water or clean dry soil:
"O you who believe, if you rise to hold the Salat, then wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you have had intercourse, then you shall bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or you have excreted feces, or you have had sexual contact with the women, and you cannot not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and your hands with it. God does not want to place any hardship on you, but He wants to cleanse you and to complete His blessings upon you that you may be appreciative." (5:6)
Be of a Clear Mind
"O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving." (4:43)
Be in Groups or Alone
"And if you are with them and you hold the Salat for them, then let a group from amongst them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them stand guard from behind; and let a group who has not yet communed come and commune with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution." (4:102)
"The angels called to him whilst he was standing, Yusali (communing), in the temple enclosure: 'God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright.'" (3:39)
Be in a Stationary Standing Position
"Maintain the Salawaat, a balanced Salat; and stand dutiful for God. But if you are in a state of worry, then you may do so while walking or riding. If you become secure, then remember God as He has taught you what you did not know." (2:238-239)
The normal mode for achieving the Salat is to be in a stationary standing position. However, if there are impeding circumstances, then a person may attempt to achieve the Salat while walking or riding.
Call on God's Attributes, Open with a Specific Prayer
"Say: 'Call on God or call on the Almighty. Whichever it is you call on, for to Him are the best names.' And do not be too loud in making your Salat, nor too quite; but seek a path in between." (17:110)
"And say: 'Praise be to God who has not taken a son, nor does He have a partner in sovereignty, nor does He have an ally out of weakness.' And glorify Him greatly." (17:111)
From the start Salat, a person is to seek God's help by calling on His many attributes. This calling on God may be continued throughout the process as and when required.
Recite From the Scripture, Use an Audible Voice
"Say: 'Call on God or call on the Almighty. Whichever it is you call on, for to Him are the best names.' And do not be too loud in making your Salat, nor too quite; but seek a path in between." (17:110)
"Recite what is inspired to you of the Scripture, and hold the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do." (29:45)
"You shall hold the Salat at the setting of the sun until the darkness of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the Qur’an at dawn is witnessed." (17:78)
The words from the Scripture are the "key" to helping a person achieve the state of Salat. Various phrases may be read out from the Scripture, or various verses, each depending on the need and situation of the person conducting the Salat. Some verses are in the form of a plea, while others are an invocation upon God to assist and to protect from the devil and his whispers/influence. There is no right or wrong in which verses to select. Each verse from the Quran has its own unique aspects and its own unique purpose.
Ask and You Shall Receive
"Surely, those who have said: 'Our Lord is God,' then they did right, the angels will descend upon them: 'You shall not fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news of Paradise that you have been promised. We are your allies in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. In it you will have anything your soul desires, and in it you will have anything you ask for.'" (41:30-31)
God has pledged that He will answer the calls of those who seek Him alone. To support such a statement, the reader is invited to examine the verse below which speaks of God sending the angels to answer specific requests/prayers and to notice the emphasis on the act that is being carried out while such response is received:
"It was then that Zachariah called on his Lord, he said: 'My Lord, grant me from You a good progeny, You are the hearer of prayers.' The angels called to him whilst he was standing, Yusali (communing), in the temple enclosure: 'God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright..'" (3:38-39)
End the Salat by Kneeling and Prostrating
Once the person has communed with the Almighty, then the communion is to be ended through a physical prostration, which, by default, would involve kneeling to achieve the position of prostration.
"And if you are with them and you hold the Salat for them, then let a group from amongst them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them stand guard from behind; and let a group who has not yet communed come and commune with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution." (4:102)
Believers Vs. Submitters
While there is no doubt that any person may attempt to commune with God as he/she wishes, a study of the Scripture reveals that the main people who will be successful at making the communion on a regular basis are ones who have advanced to the stage of being Mumins (believers).
“O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.” (The Message 4:43)
“So when you are done making the Salat, then remember God while standing, or sitting, or on your sides; then, when you are relieved, you shall honor the Salat. Indeed, the Salat for the believers is a timed decree.” (The Message 4:103)
While most people may not realize the difference, the Scripture has made a clear distinction between ‘Muslims’ (those who simply have submitted to God) and ‘Mumins’ (those who have advanced and strive with their wealth and lives in the sake of God):
“The Nomads said: ‘We believe.’ Say: ‘You have not believed; but you should Say: 'We have submitted (Aslamna)’, for belief has not yet entered into your hearts.’ If you obey God and His messenger, He will not put any of your works to waste. God is Forgiver, Merciful. Believers (Muninoon) are those who believe in God and His messenger, then they became without doubt, and they strive with their money and their lives in the cause of God. These are the truthful ones.” (49:14-15)
Therefore, if you are not able to commune with God, do not despair, the communion will happen eventually when you have calmed your mind through patience and have nourished your soul through good works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beware!
The benefits from being able to commune with the One true God and receive direct feedback and/or answers to prayers cannot be emphasized enough. It is for this reason that we must all be aware that the devil and his followers have this vehicle in their sights and that severing the communion with God and rendering the act to a an empty ritual has and will continue to be a priority item (cutting us off at the source):
"The devil only wants to cause strife between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to repel you away from remembering God and from the Salat. Will you be deterred?" (5:91)
"Then generations came after them who lost the Salat, and followed desires. They will find their consequences." (The Message 19:59)
"Those who believe, then reject, then believe, then reject, then they increase in rejection; God was neither to forgive them nor to guide them to the path." (4:137)
Now that we have found the Salat once again, will we discard our ability to commune with God and turn the Salat into mindless empty rituals as the generations before us have done?
Will we be deterred?
The word "Salat" and its derivates occur in the Scripture over 70 times and is emphasized by God Almighty as a critical aspect for the spiritual development and progress of believers.
According to the Sunnis and Shia, the Salat was decreed by God to the prophet Mohammed during the night of ascension, in which God decreed 50 Salats per day, only to be reduced to 5 Salats per day due to pleading of the prophet.
While the average Sunni or Shai may not have any problem with the above tale, it is not only blasphemous that God would not know what to decree upon His creation, but it is also historically false as God has showed us many times that all the prophets prior to Mohammed knew Salat and carried it out along with their families and followers (see Qur'an 6:162, 10:87, 11:87, 14:37, 19:31, 31:17).
What is Salat?
Not only do the Sunnis and Shia distort the truth regarding the origin of Salat, but they also confuse and confound its purpose by teaching that salat is a "ritual prayer" decreed by God to take place at specific times during the day and that non-adherence to this prayer will result in Hell fire.
While there is no doubt that we are commanded to "hear & obey" any and all commands from our Lord (see 2:285), we are at the same time commanded not to uphold that which we have not verified ourselves (see 17:36).
According to the Qur'an, the correct Salat is a vehicle by which help is sought and given and by which people are assisted to avoid evil and vice:
"And seek help through patience, and through the Salat. It is a difficult thing, but not so for the humble" (2:45)
"Recite what is inspired to you of the Scripture, and hold the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do." (29:45)
Can those who carry out the "ritual prayer" claim to have achieved such goals?
The closest match for the word "Salat" is the Arabic root word "Silla" which, in its most basic form, means: 'to link/connect.' Also, unlike "prayer," which is one-way in nature, the meaning of "link/connection" implies a more encompassing two-way relationship, where not only are prayers made, but also answers and guidance given.
Therefore, the word Salat, using a more accurate and correct definition based on its usage in the Qur'an, would best be termed as:
"a communion with God"
However, the above needs to be qualified by stating that God chooses not to speak in person with most humans, and therefore the communion with God will always be through a 'barrier' of sorts:
"And it is not for any human being that God would speak to him, except through inspiration, or from behind a barrier, or by sending a messenger to inspire whom He wills by His leave. He is Most High, Wise." (42:51)
How to carry out the Salat?
To commune with the Almighty requires certain steps and preparations that God has ordained with His knowledge. It must also be remembered that since humankind have been tainted by the forbidden tree and expelled from the higher plain of earthly paradise, then we are not worthy to approach the majesty and holiness of our Lord without carrying out His instructions and conditions.
Timing for Salat
According to the Quran, the times for which communion can be carried out are the hours around dusk and around dawn.
"And you shall hold the Salat at the two edges of the day, during the near parts of the night*. The good deeds take away the bad. This is a reminder to those who remember." (11:114)
"You shall hold the Salat at the setting of the sun until the darkness of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the Qur’an at dawn is witnessed." (17:78)
* The above verse is normally translated as referring to three Salat times (the two edges of the day and a part of the night), however, the Arabic word used is "zulfan" which is a plural form meaning "the near parts" (see 34:37, 39:3 for the singular use of the word). The correct meaning therefore is the two edges of the day, moving towards the adjacent parts of the night.
The time frame that is being looked at for the Salat is around 45-60 minutes (from the beginning of sundown until the darkness of the night, and, from the dark part of the night until the first rays of light appear).
A couple of observations that can be made regarding these times are:
the ease with which such time-frame is remembered simply by having the marker of sundown and sunset;
the tranquility that these two times posses both in terms of reduced sunlight, as well as the free-time that would be found being before the beginning of a work day or after its end.
Purification/Cleansing of the Body
Another step to holding the Salat is one of ritual washing/cleaning of the body using either water or clean dry soil:
"O you who believe, if you rise to hold the Salat, then wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you have had intercourse, then you shall bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or you have excreted feces, or you have had sexual contact with the women, and you cannot not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and your hands with it. God does not want to place any hardship on you, but He wants to cleanse you and to complete His blessings upon you that you may be appreciative." (5:6)
Be of a Clear Mind
"O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving." (4:43)
Be in Groups or Alone
"And if you are with them and you hold the Salat for them, then let a group from amongst them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them stand guard from behind; and let a group who has not yet communed come and commune with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution." (4:102)
"The angels called to him whilst he was standing, Yusali (communing), in the temple enclosure: 'God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright.'" (3:39)
Be in a Stationary Standing Position
"Maintain the Salawaat, a balanced Salat; and stand dutiful for God. But if you are in a state of worry, then you may do so while walking or riding. If you become secure, then remember God as He has taught you what you did not know." (2:238-239)
The normal mode for achieving the Salat is to be in a stationary standing position. However, if there are impeding circumstances, then a person may attempt to achieve the Salat while walking or riding.
Call on God's Attributes, Open with a Specific Prayer
"Say: 'Call on God or call on the Almighty. Whichever it is you call on, for to Him are the best names.' And do not be too loud in making your Salat, nor too quite; but seek a path in between." (17:110)
"And say: 'Praise be to God who has not taken a son, nor does He have a partner in sovereignty, nor does He have an ally out of weakness.' And glorify Him greatly." (17:111)
From the start Salat, a person is to seek God's help by calling on His many attributes. This calling on God may be continued throughout the process as and when required.
Recite From the Scripture, Use an Audible Voice
"Say: 'Call on God or call on the Almighty. Whichever it is you call on, for to Him are the best names.' And do not be too loud in making your Salat, nor too quite; but seek a path in between." (17:110)
"Recite what is inspired to you of the Scripture, and hold the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do." (29:45)
"You shall hold the Salat at the setting of the sun until the darkness of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the Qur’an at dawn is witnessed." (17:78)
The words from the Scripture are the "key" to helping a person achieve the state of Salat. Various phrases may be read out from the Scripture, or various verses, each depending on the need and situation of the person conducting the Salat. Some verses are in the form of a plea, while others are an invocation upon God to assist and to protect from the devil and his whispers/influence. There is no right or wrong in which verses to select. Each verse from the Quran has its own unique aspects and its own unique purpose.
Ask and You Shall Receive
"Surely, those who have said: 'Our Lord is God,' then they did right, the angels will descend upon them: 'You shall not fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news of Paradise that you have been promised. We are your allies in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. In it you will have anything your soul desires, and in it you will have anything you ask for.'" (41:30-31)
God has pledged that He will answer the calls of those who seek Him alone. To support such a statement, the reader is invited to examine the verse below which speaks of God sending the angels to answer specific requests/prayers and to notice the emphasis on the act that is being carried out while such response is received:
"It was then that Zachariah called on his Lord, he said: 'My Lord, grant me from You a good progeny, You are the hearer of prayers.' The angels called to him whilst he was standing, Yusali (communing), in the temple enclosure: 'God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright..'" (3:38-39)
End the Salat by Kneeling and Prostrating
Once the person has communed with the Almighty, then the communion is to be ended through a physical prostration, which, by default, would involve kneeling to achieve the position of prostration.
"And if you are with them and you hold the Salat for them, then let a group from amongst them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them stand guard from behind; and let a group who has not yet communed come and commune with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution." (4:102)
Believers Vs. Submitters
While there is no doubt that any person may attempt to commune with God as he/she wishes, a study of the Scripture reveals that the main people who will be successful at making the communion on a regular basis are ones who have advanced to the stage of being Mumins (believers).
“O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.” (The Message 4:43)
“So when you are done making the Salat, then remember God while standing, or sitting, or on your sides; then, when you are relieved, you shall honor the Salat. Indeed, the Salat for the believers is a timed decree.” (The Message 4:103)
While most people may not realize the difference, the Scripture has made a clear distinction between ‘Muslims’ (those who simply have submitted to God) and ‘Mumins’ (those who have advanced and strive with their wealth and lives in the sake of God):
“The Nomads said: ‘We believe.’ Say: ‘You have not believed; but you should Say: 'We have submitted (Aslamna)’, for belief has not yet entered into your hearts.’ If you obey God and His messenger, He will not put any of your works to waste. God is Forgiver, Merciful. Believers (Muninoon) are those who believe in God and His messenger, then they became without doubt, and they strive with their money and their lives in the cause of God. These are the truthful ones.” (49:14-15)
Therefore, if you are not able to commune with God, do not despair, the communion will happen eventually when you have calmed your mind through patience and have nourished your soul through good works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beware!
The benefits from being able to commune with the One true God and receive direct feedback and/or answers to prayers cannot be emphasized enough. It is for this reason that we must all be aware that the devil and his followers have this vehicle in their sights and that severing the communion with God and rendering the act to a an empty ritual has and will continue to be a priority item (cutting us off at the source):
"The devil only wants to cause strife between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to repel you away from remembering God and from the Salat. Will you be deterred?" (5:91)
"Then generations came after them who lost the Salat, and followed desires. They will find their consequences." (The Message 19:59)
"Those who believe, then reject, then believe, then reject, then they increase in rejection; God was neither to forgive them nor to guide them to the path." (4:137)
Now that we have found the Salat once again, will we discard our ability to commune with God and turn the Salat into mindless empty rituals as the generations before us have done?
Will we be deterred?
