Can Muslims say quick prayers of thanks any time they like?

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Thyme

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Hello!

Sorry if this question seems silly, but my Muslim friend is probably fed up or me asking him questions :p.

So Muslims wash themselves before praying and face Mecca. Does this mean that you couldn't quickly ask God for something quickly, or if something good happens, you couldn't say a quick, 'Thank you, Allah?'?

This question came to mind because of the English national anthem playing on TV. We sing 'God save the Queen' and that's a form of praying. I was wondering if Muslims can say quick prayers any time they like.

Also, what if something really good happened and you knew it was because God had answered a prayer. Would you have to wait until later to say thank you?
 
Greetings Thyme,

Nice to see you back again.

Thyme said:
Sorry if this question seems silly
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No question is silly :).

Thyme said:
So Muslims wash themselves before praying and face Mecca. Does this mean that you couldn't quickly ask God for something quickly, or if something good happens, you couldn't say a quick, 'Thank you, Allah?'?

I was wondering if Muslims can say quick prayers any time they like.

Also, what if something really good happened and you knew it was because God had answered a prayer. Would you have to wait until later to say thank you?
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What you're referring to above (needing washing and facing Makkah) is for the five daily compulsory prayers, and a few others.

For supplications, which are our own private prayers, and praising and glorifying and thanking Allah, we can say them all the time, and in fact are recommended to, regardless of whether we are facing Makkah or have done the ablution.

So, for example, Muslims often will, even while walking down the street, or going about their daily business, be praising and glorifying God, thanking Him, asking forgiveness, praying to Him, asking Him for their needs etc. We do not need to face Makkah or do the ablution to do this. This kind of prayer and praise should be running off our tongues in praise and gratitude as often as we can.

Hope that clarifies it a bit.

Please ask if you have any other questions.

Peace.
 
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Insaanah said:


What you're referring to above (needing washing and facing Makkah) is for the five daily compulsory prayers, and a few others.

For supplications, which are our own private prayers, and praising and glorifying and thanking Allah, we can say them all the time, and in fact are recommended to, regardless of whether we are facing Makkah or have done the ablution.

So, for example, Muslims often will, even while walking down the street, or going about their daily business, be praising and glorifying God, thanking Him, asking forgiveness, praying to Him, asking Him for their needs etc. We do not need to face Makkah or do the ablution to do this. This kind of prayer and praise should be running off our tongues in praise and gratitude as often as we can.

Hope that clarifies it a bit.

Please ask if you have any other questions.

Peace.
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Thank you. I was also wondering this. :)
 
Bedouin said:
What Insaanah said.

You'll hear muslims say things like the following all the time:

MashaAllah: Allah has willed it (said upon seeing something impressive)
Alhamdulilah: All thanks to Allah
SubhanAllah: Glory be to Allah
Allahu Akbar: Allah is the greatest
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yep bedouin and insaanah have summed it up,

apart from the five daily prayers muslims should engage themselves in the rememberence of Allah; by thanking Him, praising Him etc

you might see some muslims holding prayer beads in their hands, usually they will be repeating the words mentioned above
 
We are supposed to remember (praise, thank and mention) Allah all the time. :)

Fa-itha qadaytumu alssalata faothkuroo Allaha qiyaman waquAAoodan waAAala junoobikum fa-itha itma/nantum faaqeemoo alssalata inna alssalata kanat AAala almu/mineena kitaban mawqootan

Quran: 4.103. When you have finished the Prayer (especially considering you have shortened your Prayers when journeying and in the state of fear), remember and mention God (with your tongues and hearts), standing and sitting and lying down on your sides (and even while at war). Then, when you are once again secure, do the Prayer in conformity with all its conditions (and do the Prayers you had to omit just at the time of actual fighting). (Know that) the Prayer (being the most important kind of worship) is prescribed for the believers at fixed times.
 
Thyme said:
So Muslims wash themselves before praying and face Mecca. Does this mean that you couldn't quickly ask God for something quickly, or if something good happens, you couldn't say a quick, 'Thank you, Allah?'?
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What you were referring is "shalat/shalah" which is so much more than a prayer. I dont have time now, but you may want to search what shalah is from reputable islamic websites to get better understanding.

Meanwhile muslims can offer prayer in any situation/place/time (as long as it is not disgusting place like toilet) either saying it loud or within the heart.
In fact, muslims are encouraged to always say a prayer.
It is sunnah that we say prayer when:
we just wake up, when we are going to take shower, when we are going out, when we are going traveling, when we are going to eat, when we are finishing eating, when we see/hear something wonderful, when we see/hear something terrible, when we are happy, when we are sad, when we need something, when we hear good news, when we hear bad news, when we visit someone sick, when we are going to kill animals for food, after we finish our daily 5 times shalah, when we are entering bathroom,when we are promising something, when we are going to sleep, etc etc etc etc....

In fact, I am almost 100% certain InshaAllah that good muslims say prayers so much more than any follower of other faiths... COMBINED...
 
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These are good responses.

Also, if we avoid doing something purely because we don't want to offend God, we are worshipping Him.
 
I believe the replies have summed it up nicely. I think part of the confusion comes from Salat being translated as prayer. It is more similar what Christians would call Services or Mass. Our Du'as and supplictions are closer to what a Christian generally calls prayer. Our Nasheeds are similar to what a Christian calls Hymns although they are never used in Salat, while some Christians use Hymns in their services.

Typical Salat would be Fajr, our first prayer of the day:


A typical Nasheed, Nasheeds can be in any language. For most of us we use Nasheed with no music instruments. One of my favorites.


Du'asand Supplications (Prayers as commonly understood by non-Muslims) can be said anytime and in any language. We strive to make Du'as a part of all of our daily thoughts and activities.


We also frequently say Du'as in our own words especially when asking for favors or giving Thanks.
 
Thyme said:
Also, what if something really good happened and you knew it was because God had answered a prayer. Would you have to wait until later to say thank you?
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Could someone explain "sajda shukur" in response to this please.
 
Thyme said:
Also, what if something really good happened and you knew it was because God had answered a prayer. Would you have to wait until later to say thank you?
Click to expand...

We do our best to give thanks for all things as soon as they happen, not just thanks for answered prayers. We are very Thankful of all Allaah(swt) sends us. And our day should always be filled with gratitude and Praise,

Masha Allaah,-- Al-Hamdullilah

Nearly anytime you see us write or say a short Arabic phrase it is a Du'a/supplication either praising or Thanking Allaah(swt)

We strive to have all of our words, thoughts, intentions and actions to be a Du'a (Prayer)
 

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