Prayer incident.

[Clark_98C]

A few years ago, due to conflicting ideas with my birth religion, Christianity, I became an agnostic. I had issues with the trinity concept, and the supposed divinity of Jesus.

Recently, I have been talking with Baha'i's, and learning about their faith. I asked one what they do for prayer, and she directed me to some Baha'i, and some Islamic (I think) prayers. She told me the way Baha'i's pray is standing up, but in a reverent way.

One morning after I showered, I decided to try it. I started saying the prayers, and got to one of the "chants," which is "Allah'o'abha."

When I was doing this, I began standing up. After a few seconds, I felt wrong standing up, so I sat down on my legs/feet. I then had a strong feeling, that it felt wrong, and that I should prostrate myself on the floor. I had absolutely no idea why I felt that need, nor could I explain it. My friend Skillganon from CF has been giving me his input about it, and I was wondering what yall thought about it.

Clark :?

 

[afriend]

and peace.

The concept of trinity is very unclear and hard to understand.....I tried to understand it for like 3 hours...But no chance at all......

But I don't understand, Baha'i? Is that like a sect of Islam or something?

Well.....about ur problem, u can't just stand up and say "ALLAH HU AKBAR" and not know what it means, why ur doing it, but merely just performing these actions with no understanding of why u r doin it....

Allahu Akbar actually means "Allah is the greatest" During prayer, it is like an ascention to the heavens.....It shud be understood why prayer is performed........

 

[Clark_98C]

I knew what I was saying, and I understood the meaning of it. I put myself in the state of mind.

Baha'i's are their own religion they say, came from Iran.

 

[The Ruler]

so you mean you jus had an urge of prostrating :?....but did you have any intentions whatsoever....or like...did you even know to whom you were prostrating to :?...

i mean some people may think that this is it...you are a muslim and that you have to convert. but it also depends on what kind of feeling the person had. your prostration could be a result of sickness...not literally but like when you just feel like you couldnt take it anymore...do you get what i mean....:?

 

[afriend]

I knew what I was saying, and I understood the meaning of it. I put myself in the state of mind.

Baha'i's are their own religion they say, came from Iran.

Yeah....but it sounds a lot like Islam...........Allahu akbar at the start of prayer....

I'm gonna do a bit more research on this 'religion'.......

But u got to search for the peace in prayer...as it is a type of meditation.....a one to one dialogue with Allah....It shud be peaceful if done with concentration, devotion and most importantly, with a meaning......I.E. The reason why you are prostration....

 

[The Ruler]

I knew what I was saying, and I understood the meaning of it. I put myself in the state of mind.

so you knew what it meant...hmmmm....do this for me....it may seem stupid....but like....look deep into your heart...what do you believe actually, are you confused about god? who do you think created us, who do tyo think could have created the vast sky and all the seasons and nature....such harmony....what do you think :?

 

[Clark_98C]

No, I wasn't sick, nor did I get suddenly tired. I'm in good physical condition, the military does that to you. Any intentions? I was in a sort of meditative/prayer state, looking inside myself. Sure, I was praying to "god" whatever "IT" is. I am seeking "IT." Its just that during the most recent incident I sat down to "think" pray to "God" on the subject that it happened.

No, I don't really think thats it, because I don't know. I am a "seeker." I don't jump to conclusions. Although I am "agnostic," per say, I still believe in God. I am a religious person without a "religion." I just had the distinct feeling that I should prostrate myself on the ground. That little voice in your head, my "concience" told me to do so.

 

[afriend]

Bahá'u'lláh and the New Millennium
As the new millennium approaches, the crucial need facing the human race is to find a unifying vision of the nature of man and society. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892).

The driving force behind the civilizing of human nature, Bahá'u'lláh asserts, has been successive interventions of the Divine in history. It has been through this influence that the innate moral and spiritual faculties of humanity have been gradually developed and the advancement of civilization made possible. Associated with the missions of such transcendent figures as Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, the phenomenon is an ever-recurring one; it is without beginning or end because it is fundamental to the evolutionary order itself.

Although nurtured by the process, humanity has never understood it. Instead, people have constructed around each episode in their spiritual experience a separate religious system. Throughout history the religious impulse has been hobbled by the resulting contradictions and bitter conflicts.

Bahá'u'lláh compares the maturation of the human race as a whole to the experience of its individual members who struggle, successively, through the stages of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Today, humanity has entered on its collective coming-of-age,endowed with the capacity to see the entire panorama of its development as a single process.

The challenge of maturity is to accept that we are one people, to free ourselves from the limited identities and creeds of the past, and to build together the foundations of global civilization.

The power that is awakening this consciousness throughout the world is the universal Revelation of God promised in all the scriptures of mankind's past. Its spokesman is Bahá'u'lláh whose teachings provide a blueprint for the social organization of the planet and whose growing influence is the great untold story of our time.

 

[The Ruler]

so you do believe in "God"....but do you have any idea on like what kind of god....like what the 'god' asks you to do....what are your obligations :?

 

[afriend]

So, clark, What do you need help with?

Trying to find God is a long and spiritually refreshing journey.

I wish you luck in finding the right path.

May Allah guide you and bless you with the truth.

 

[Clark_98C]

so you knew what it meant...hmmmm....do this for me....it may seem stupid....but like....look deep into your heart...what do you believe actually, are you confused about god? who do you think created us, who do tyo think could have created the vast sky and all the seasons and nature....such harmony....what do you think :?

I do think God created the universe. Not "he" or "she" but "IT/God." Am I confused, I am less confused than I was a long time ago. I have some fairly concrete ideas. I am one to go climb a tree on a large hill and sit there and contemplate on existance and God. Although I accept science to a degree, I expound on the alternative.

 

[afriend]

Although I accept science to a degree, I expound on the alternative.

Very good......

Keep on thinking and contemplating.......Think of what you want, what do you want from Allah, happiness? peace? Think hard and deep........ur ion the right track....just keep on reflecting.....

 

[Cheb]

Clark,

Welcome to the forum. I hope you have a beneficial stay here.

Regarding your incident, to be honest with you it is the first time I hear about it. I believe it happened because you were genuinely seeking guidance from God. And God has responded by showing you part of the path.
I will post a reply to a question here that I think you will find helpful. I hope it helps.


Question:

Why do Muslims kiss the ground when they pray?

Why do they bow on the ground?

Can’t you simply pray while your head is held up in dignity?

What is so sacred or holy about the ground to be kissed?

Answer:

Salaam Arthur,

Thank you for your question.

To answer your question let me clear up some confusion. Muslims do not kiss the ground when they pray. They simply place their forehead and the bridge of their nose on the ground. Muslims only worship Allah; for they believe there is no God beside Him, the Creator of existence. For this, they bow their head humbly in respect to Him, while praying.

Let me explain further; prayer is an act of worship. As with all acts of worship it is an act of obedience, an act of reverence, an act of surrender and an act of submission. In fact, the dignity of a believer is in his/her absolute submission to his/her Creator, only to this Creator, and no one else.

God does not need our worship; it is we who need Him. Prayer is - or should be - of benefit to us. The Muslim should be humble and concentrate totally on his/her prayer. ‘Holding one’s head up with dignity’ has a touch of pride or arrogance about it – the ego is showing. How can man be arrogant in front of God?

Everything we do is with the help of God, whether we admit it or not. For this, we should be grateful. We should humble ourselves in our prayer. Therefore, we bow and say: ‘All praise is for God the Greatest’ - in terms of awe and reverence. Then, we really show our humility by touching the ground with our forehead during prostration and saying: ‘All praise is for God Most High.’

Just look at us in this position, we are as humble as possible and we are recognizing, as far as we are able, the greatness of God. God tells us in Surah 96, verse 19:
*{… but prostrate and draw near [to Allah]}*

Also Allah says in Surah 40, verse 60:
*{And your Lord says: “Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell humiliated.”}*

Abu Hurayah (may God be pleased with him) reported that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“The closest that a servant can be to his Lord is when he is in prostration. Therefore, make abundant supplications [while prostrating]. (Reported by Muslim.)

What Muslims are told about the ground is that, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said:

“The whole earth is a masjid (a point of prostration or a mosque) for me and my followers.”

In other words, formal prayer can be prayed anywhere on earth, not just in a mosque. This is why one sees people, praying anywhere and everywhere, even stopping their vehicles and praying by the side of the road. This happens particularly in Muslim countries.

And, Allah knows best.

http://www.islam-online.net/servlet...kAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1123996015870

 

[Cheb]

This is also another helpful link:

http://www.islam-online.net/servlet...kAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1123996015658

Peace.

 

[Clark_98C]

so you do believe in "God"....but do you have any idea on like what kind of god....like what the 'god' asks you to do....what are your obligations :?

I have always objected to the personification of God by groups. I don't think he has a "face" per say, or any real attributes that we can equate him to, after all, he is NOT human. I have always had a hard time understanding us equating primitive human concepts to such a divine being. I think IT, not he or she, is a formless, timeless thing.

Does he have a form? An Image?
I don't think IT does really, we may call God "father," but would it be wrong to think of him as "mother" too? I dislike using such constricting definitions and like to refer to God as just "creator." God is spirit, and spirit's don't have a corpreal form.

I also act in a way I feel is pleasing to "God." I help everyone I see when they need help (pushing cars, elderly people fall, ect). I have never smoked, done drugs, drink, becuase they would alter my state of mind, and I want nothing imparing my ability to think. I don't think it is what "God" would want, who after all gave us our ability to think and reason; and I don't think It would want us to forgo their use, or consume anything to inhibit their use.

 

[afriend]

These are very enlightenning, listen to those that appeal/affect you the most.

http://is.aswatalislam.net/DisplayFilesP.aspx?TitleID=2054&TitleName=Zakir_Naik

 

[- Qatada -]

Hey Clark_98C.


I strongly urge you to visit this site, especially since your intention is so clear/good. We as muslims believe that there is only one monotheistic God, Who is the Creator of all things. God doesn't have any associates, and there is no he/she, and the only reason people say that is because of the english language.


Its quite surprising how all your beliefs that you just mentioned in your post earlier are exactly the beliefs of the muslims.


Just check this site and i hope you benefit from it alot insha'Allaah (God willing.)


www.beconvinced.com


Peace.

 

[Mainul_Islam]

im not sure what Bahais believe but i think i read somewhere that they believe all religions to be true or something.. plz correct me if im wrong.





hello there, Clark.

welcome to the forum.


in Arabic, the term "He" that is refered to "Allah" or "God" is not referring to a specific gender. Allah created genders and he is not a subject to His own creation.

there is a powerful Surah (Chapter) in the Quran, number 112 to be exact, that glorifies Allah as being the Most High and incomparable:

Surah Al-Ikhlas (#112) - The Purity:
1. Say: "He is Allâh, (the) One.
2. "Allâh-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).
3. "He begets not, nor was He begotten;
4. "And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him."
by the way, the name "Allah" is rooted from the 2 words "Al-Ilah" which is translated as "The God" ... so "Allah" is not a name but literally means "God" (Almighty, the Most High).


Muslims believe Jesus was a Messenger of Allah... Muslims believe in almost every aspect of Prophet Jesus including the his virgin birth, he did miracles (by Allah's will), and that he was sinless (as all other prophets) etc.. EXCEPT that he was God, son of God, or part of God... thats where the Christians went wrong.

and we dont believe that he died in the cross either, but a man that looks similar to him was replaced.. instead of Jesus being on the cross, he was raised by Allah to a place until when it's time for him to come back to Earth, and his descending will be one of the major signs of the Hour.


have u ever read the Quran (translation)? its really beautiful.. u should give it a try. the Quran is a miracle from Allah because its the Word of Allah... to this day, not a single word has been changed.

how can u tell the Quran is true? in Arabic, the grammar and literature, and the poetry is superior and incomparable to other literature and poetry... the Quran even tells disbelievers to challenge the Quran, not even all of them together can compose one chapter of the Quran.

u should also take a look at what the Quran says about science. as a matter of fact, recent 20th century discoveries have proved many verses of the Quran to be true (i.e. the Big Bang; how a baby is formed inside the mother; fingerprints being unique to each person; etc).

also, there are amazing mathematical miracles in the Quran, such as the word "man" and "woman" are repeated the same number of times, so is "angels" repeated the same number of times as "devils", and more.

keep in mind that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, was illiterate and never read or wrote. when he began to spread Islam, calling the Arabs to worship One God, they thought he had gone crazy and became a madman. now tell me, is it really possible for any illiterate, madman to be able to compile such a Book, or is he really the Messenger of Allah?


if u have any questions then please ask

 

[Skillganon]

Guy's go slow on Clark, He's seeking, and so far he's on the right direction. So don't be too! abrupt with your answer!

 

[Clark_98C]

It's ok skill, lol. I'm doing fine processing all the info.

Thanks Fi_Sabilillah, for that site. It's been an amazing help.

Few questios: What does this statement from that site mean?

This is the firmest anchor of belief which materializes the meaning of "AL WALA" and "AL BARA". It means that a Muslim should love and be loyal to his Muslim brothers. He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters.

That people who convert should limit their interactions with non-muslims?

Also, I read that dating was frowned upon. :giggling:
Not that I ever have dated, or done anything to degrade myself. But if "dating" is not allowed, and apparently marriages are explored and decided upon in a fairly quick manner, how can you know you will be happy?

Also, what's the divorce rate among Muslims.

Also, the site spoke of some scientific principles which the Qu'ran speaks of(big bang, ect.). It summarises the verses, but doesn't say what they are. What do the verses actually say?

Also, the history channel said something about, "The people in heaven will look down on those in hell and plead for Allah to have mercy on them, and he will abide their wish and free them from hell."

Is this true?