A newbie question about Salat
-
The intentions are very important here. If I pray 5 times a day like most people do, then either I do it because I believe that this is the correct way or am I taking the easy way out instead of being ostracized and criticized. If I believe that some ritual is going against the spirit of my true belief and is more socially inspired than spiritually inspired then i think I am wrong in following that ritual.
-
Peace Neo2this,
Brother Adley has given some beautiful advice ! Be patient and the full understanding will come over time God willing.
20114 Then High above all is God, the King, the True. And do not be hasty with the Qur'an before its inspiration is completed to you, and say "My Lord, increase my knowledge."
I would like to share my current understanding on some aspects of salat; perhaps you might find it helpful
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=12074.0
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=13595.0
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=13496.0
Please go through all the links I referenced in my posts also and most importantly verify everything yourself from the Qur'aan per 1736. Check out brother Wakas' understanding too
http//mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/slw.htm
http//mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/disproved_salatequalsprayer.htm
May The God guide us all to the truth.
-
salaamun alaykum
perhaps we may want to refer to Hans Wehr; s-l-w page 524; and w-s-l page 1072;
yusallee 524 II (3s; M; Ind.) {it | he} performed the salat / prayed / worshipped
musallan 524 place of prayer / oratory || II {Act.} performer (of the salat) / prayer / worshipper
salawatun 524 salat / the official Islamic prayer ritual | intercession / intercessory prayer / benediction | blessing / grace (of God)
alssalawati 524 (p) {the} salat / official Islamic prayer rituals | intercessions / intercessory prayers / benedictions | blessings / grace (of God)
alssalata 1072 (p) {the} junctions / junctures | relations | connections | links / ties / bonds | relationships / kinship | presents / gifts / grants || 524 (s) {the} salat / official Islamic prayer ritual | intercession / intercessionary prayer / benediction | blessing grace {of Allah}
alssalati 1072 (p) {the} junctions / junctures | relations | connections | links / ties / bonds | relationships / kinship | presents / gifts / grants || 524 (s) {the} salat / official Islamic prayer ritual | intercession / intercessionary prayer / benediction | blessing grace {of Allah}
alssalatu 1072 (p) {the} junctions / junctures | relations | connections | links / ties / bonds | relationships / kinship | presents / gifts / grants || 524 (s) {the} salat / official Islamic prayer ritual | intercession / intercessionary prayer / benediction | blessing grace {of Allah}
awsala 1072 IV = II (3s; M; P.) {it | he} connected / joined / united / combined (sth. with) | made (s.o., sth.) get (to) / saw that s.o. or sth. gets to | got / took / brought / moved / led / showed / conducted / conveyed / channelled (s.o., sth. to) | gave (s.o.) a ride / gave (s.o.) a lift | carried / transported / transferred / conveyed (sth. to) | delivered / transmitted / communicated (sth. to) | conducted / acted as a conductor (el.) | accompanied / escorted (s.o. to) | connected (sth. to an electric circuit, ba one apparatus with another, an electric device with the main line) / plugged in (sth.) | turned on / switched on (sth. el.)
salatuhum 1072 (3p; M) their junctions / their junctures | their relations | their connections | their links / their ties / their bonds | their relationships / their kinship | their presents / their gifts / their grants || 524 (s) their salat / their official Islamic prayer ritual | their intercession / their intercessionary prayer / their benediction | their blessing grace {of Allah}
yoosala 1072 (3s; M; Pass.) {it | he} is connected / is joined / is united / is combined / is linked / is interlocked / is attached | is established ( silatan; a contact, a connection, a relation) | is brought into relation | is given / is bestowed / is conferred / is awarded
yoosil 1072 (3s; M; Act.) {it | he} connects / joins / unites / combines / links / interlocks / attaches | establishes ( silatan; a contact, a connection, a relation) | brings into relation | gives / bestows / confers / awards
peace
joe -
As-Salaat explained by G.A.Parwez
This word has occurred in the Quran 108 times in various forms and as Sal'at 67 times. Sal'at is the principle and one of the most important elements of Islam, and has special significance. Also in view of its extensive and repeated use in the Quran, it is necessary to discuss it somewhat in detail with reference to various verses. First its literal meaning
-
As-Sal'a is the central portion of the backside, the portion from where tail of the animal comes out. Both sides are called Salwan and its plural is Salawatun (Taj).
-
Mosalli is the horse which comes at second place in a race, and is so close to the first-placed that its ears are touching the other's back portion. (The first one is called S'abiq.) It, therefore, means to follow the first one very closely. There is a saying of Ali the fourth caliph, "Sabaqa Rasool-Allah, wa salla Abu-Bakr wa sallasa Omar wa khabatatna fitnatun." Rasool-Allah went away first, followed by Abu-Bakr and then Omar and thereafter chaos overtook us (Taj).
-
According to Taj, Salea Wastala means attachment, to remain stuck. From this reference Raghib says that verse (74/43), "We were not Musalleen," means that they did not follow the Rusul. Accordingly Qurtabi also writes that Sal'at would mean to remain within the bounds of the Laws of Allah, and Tasleah means to walk behind a person so closely that there remains no distance; not to surpass him but remain closely behind.
-
It is very important to understand the relationship of man and Allah. Allah is the One Who is Supreme, Most Perfect and Most Beautiful. He has various Attributes called Asma-ul-Husna and each Attribute is perfect and complete. Allah has also given a personality to man and referred to it as "Roohona" - the Divine Energy (see Rooh). The object or the purpose of man's life is to develop his personality according to the Laws of Allah and inculcate in himself as much of Allah's Attributes as may be humanly possible.
In the first Surah (Al-F'atiha) of the Quran, a Momin is taught to ask of Allah to guide him to Sira't-Al-Mustaqeem (and that, in fact, should be a Momin's purpose of life - to tread the Sira't-Al-Mustaqeem all along - the straight and the balanced path) and in the eleventh Surah (Hud) it is stated that Allah continuously stays at Sira't-Al-Mustaqeem. It transpires from the above that the only straight path a Momin is required to adopt during the course of his life, is the same at which Allah Almighty Himself is going and running this universe. This path can easily be adopted by closely and steadfastly following the dictates of Allah's Book, i.e., the Holy Quran. Hence the basic meaning of Sal'at is complete concordance with the Book of Allah and thereby incorporating in one's own self Allah's most balanced Attributes, of course, as far as is humanly possible.
In verse (24/41) a question is asked "Have you not pondered over the fact that whatever there is in the universe including the birds with wings spread out, is continuously carrying out their assignments with fullest play of their capabilities and each one of them knows its sphere of duties (Tasbeeh) and the way those are to be carried out (Sal'at)." This obviously means that everything in the universe knows by instinct, what are its duties and how to perform them and what is its destiny. As far as animal world is concerned, they do it by instinct. But if a human being wants to know, what is his Tasbeeh and Sal'at, it is a must for him to have faith in Wahi, through which all these directions containing do's and don'ts are explained. This is Iqamat-As-Sal'at, a special term used in the Quran.
To follow the Laws of the Quran is Iqamat-As-Sal'at. This is not possible individually and can only be done collectively; that is why the Quran has used the plural tense for this. It is the responsibility of an Islamic State is to establish this order (22/41), and they do it by mutual consultations (42/3. This system covers all the aspects of life, particularly the economic system. Verse (11/87) is very significant in this regard. It says "O Shu'aib! does your Sal'at not permit us even to spend our wealth as we desire?" They did not understand as to what type of Sal'at is one which gives directions even in economic matters; they thought Sal'at is just a prayer or some sort of ritual.In a nutshell it would pose one simple question. Would a person like to decide his affairs according to his desires, wishes or would he surrender before the Laws of Allah? This later position is called Sal'at. Verse (19/59) further clarifies "they were followed by people who abandoned or negated the Sal'at." Therefore, following the Divine Laws is called Sal'at. As such Ibn-e-Qutaiba says, Sal'at actually means Ad-Deen and Iqamat-As-Sal'at means Iqamat-ud-Deen.
-
As-Salla means fire and firewood. Salla Asaho-Alan-Nar means he straightened and softened his stick by heating it with fire. As such Sal'at would also mean to remove one's defects. Author of Al-Minar says that Sal'at, in fact, is the recognition that one's personality needs guidance of a superior authority. In this way Qurtabi says that Sal'at means obedience to Allah.
-
Another meaning of Sal'at is to subdue and arrest and attract someone's attention (Moheet). This view would explain another meaning of Sal'at which is taming and harnessing the forces operative in the Universe.
-
One meaning of Sal'at is reverence and respect (Taj), i.e., to work for and establish a socio-economic system that proves the greatness of the Sustainer of this universe.
-
In Hebrew dictionary Salawat (plural of Sal'at) is the praying place of Jews. In verse (22/40) this word is used in that context.
-
Sal'at has also been used for a particular ritual. On the whole, whatever a Momin is doing by following the Laws of Allah, without any restrictions of time or formation, is Sal'at. But where ever in the Quran it refers to a particular action, its form and timing has to be fixed. In this regard there are various verses in the Quran, e.g.,
a. Verse (5/6) mentions ablution, which is to be performed before offering Sal'at.
b. Verse (4/43) prohibits the Momineen to perform Sal'at when they are under the influence of intoxication (the Momineen are, however, admonished to refrain from the use of intoxicants 5/90-91).
c. In Surah Al-Jum'aa (62/9-10) it is commanded "when you are called for the congregation on the day of Jum'aa, you should rush towards Zikr-Allah, putting aside your business - and after Sal'at spread out in the land in search of bounty of Allah and do His Zikr a great deal, so that you may prosper."
d. Some specific timings are also mentioned in the Quran. Verse (17/7 directs the Momineen to establish Sal'at from early morning till late night. In this verse the word "Dalook" has been used which means from morning till evening, thereby denying the earlier superstition that certain times of the day are good or bad. It is further explained in verse (11/114) that Sal'at be established on the two ends of the day and early hours of night. Verses (20/130) and (50/39) mention about Hamd before sunrise and sunset and also late night when stars start fading (52/49).
e. Verse (24/5 mentions about Sal'at-ul-Fajr and Sal'at-ul-'Ishaa when domestic servants are forbidden from entering private apartments without permission.
f. About recitation during Sal'at, the Quran says that you should understand as to what you are reciting (4/43) and do not recite loudly or in silence but adopt a course in between.
The above verses explain that the meaning of Sal'at encompasses the congregational prayers as well. Wherever Aqeem-us-Sal'at is referred to, it means the establishment of the whole system, the obedience to the Laws of Allah, and the observance of all the duties expected of a Momin. At other places, it also refers to the offering of prayers as well other duties which are a part of the whole system. For this distinction one has to see the whole verse and the context in which it is brought. Similarly the word Musalleen is referred to those persons who are at the height of dignity ( 70/22-35).
g. Salla Alaihe, according to Raghib, means to respect, to give blessings, to encourage, to grow, to nourish, to stop getting decayed. So in those verses of the Quran where this root occurs with 'Ala, it means that Allah and all the heavenly forces encourage you, provide you with necessary means of growth and nourishment and make your efforts bear fruit (33/43). In verse (2/157) it is stated that when the Momineen face difficulties in the enforcement and establishment of Deen, they do not get disheartened, but remain steadfast and they deserve all the appreciation and encouragement from Allah. This is also mentioned in particular about Rasool-Allah (peace be upon him) himself saying, "Allah and all the heavenly forces help and encourage him in the fulfilment of the Divine program. So, O Jama'at-ul-Momineen, you should also help your Rasool (peace be upon him), by following him and submitting before him." (33/56)
-
-
The word Salat. Salat means To Follow Closely, Attachment, Contact, Prayer and many more meanings. If we approach the Quranic Goal to be acknowledging Allah, to be a religious Book focussed on acknowledging Allah, then it is logical Salat means Prayer. But since it is clear WE are the focus of the Quran, then the meaning becomes totaly different.
The meaning of Salat is explained in
2441 Do you not realize that Allah, He it is Whom all beings in the heavens and the earth glorify, and the birds, with their wings outspread, as they fly in columns. All of them know their SALAT and TASBEEH (mission and strife). Allah is Aware of what they do to fulfill His Plan.
Tasbeeh means To Strive Hard, To go on a Quest/Mission, To Take Long Strides. Salat means To Follow Closely.
So in order of the verse, all beings knows what to follow closely to strive hard on their quest, they know their Salat and Tasbeeh.
What do animals follow? Their instinct which tells them how to work the Laws of Nature in the best way so to become the strongest and multiply.
We as humans don't have an instinct on a dominant level. So to follow the Laws of Nature, we must observe them closely. But there are also many Laws we can't observe through Scientific Research. These Laws are explained to us through Revelation. Revelations are Instincts for Mankind to follow voluntarely.
So Salat means to Follow the Divine Laws of Nature and Revelation so we can know how to strive hard on our Quest and Mission.
See rest of the Article
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=13560.0
-
praised be Allah, the Compassionate Mercy
salaam arnold
a lengthy post indeed on salat according to parvez. but, it is just another bundle of information, or understanding for consideration. it stops just at that.
we are not saying that parvez's understanding on salat is wrong. no. we do not, and will not do so. he is right. he is right. but that is salat according to parvez.
we are here to share understandings, and not impose understandings. not ours. not yours. not parvez's.
our question is simple; what ever happens to 'jibril'? in 297 Allah says that 'jibril' reveals the content (understanding / comprehension) of al-Qur'an. what has 'jibril' spoken to you about 'salat'?
when we posted those literal translations on 'salat' and its potential radicals of s-l-w or w-s-l, we never ask anyone to accept it. just read them as another bundle of information (food?) for thought.
if we may suggest, please be patient. sleep on it for a few moments, or perhaps even years, before reaching upon a decision. Allah knows how patient, or impatient we are.
btw, has 'jibril' retired from service?
peace
joe
-
Salaam Joe,
The person asked people's opinions, and now you reply and even condemn me for giving mine? Interresting behaviour....
As for the 'bundle' of information you have posted on S-L-W, these are taken from a MODERN Arabic Dictionary, the Quran is written in CLASSIC Arabic, maybe some food for thought?
-
salaam arnold
our apologies please if you get offended by the remarks.
yes, you are right. the translations were made with reference from a modern arabic dictionary. when you accept the fact that modern and classical arabic have different radicals, then you are right indeed. but, are they?
peace
joe -
salaam aleikum,
Being offended? It shows you are new to this forum
And I advice you to study Arabic and you will see they differ immensely. Modern Arabic definitions were created through taking over Christian, Jewish, Pagan and especially Persian definitions during the Middle Ages. The original Classic Arabic definitions are forgotten. Languages are always changing, evolving. Arabic understanding was changed through secterian theology.
-
salaam arnold
you are right. we are a newbie here. in fact, a newbie here, there, and everywhere. so, we have too much to read, and understand. thank you for the very kind understanding.
and you have certainly given us a very important bundle of additional information on modern arabic language. we noted that hans wehr gave clear indications whether such a word has colloq., or foreign roots. but, perhaps hans wehr has overlooked on those. thanks again for your advice.
don't worry. peace we'll take our time digesting your advise, while contemplating on asking Allah, why arabic seems to be getting more and more difficult to understand.
peace
joesalaam aleikum,
Being offended? It shows you are new to this forum
And I advice you to study Arabic and you will see they differ immensely. Modern Arabic definitions were created through taking over Christian, Jewish, Pagan and especially Persian definitions during the Middle Ages. The original Classic Arabic definitions are forgotten. Languages are always changing, evolving. Arabic understanding was changed through secterian theology.
-
Salam Joe,
Hans Wehr hasn't overlooked it as he made a dictionary for MODERN Arabic. He didn't intend to make it for Classic Arabic.
This is for example the Classic Arabic meaning
= Sad-Lam-Waw = prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnifiy, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached.
In a horse race when the second horse follows the first one so closely that its head always overlaps the first horses body that horse is called AL-MUSSALLI (i.e. the one who follows closely / remains attached).
Central portion of the back, portion from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump.See the Classic Arabic dictionary of Lane
http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm
-
salaam arnold
it is excellent that you are very familiar with lane's lexicon. but perhaps you may want to consider lane's categorization, explanation and suggestions on the potential meaning of the words stemming from the radicals (root) s-l-w. different wazans (forms) could implicate different meanings, that's what our good ustaz told us. and in as far as classical arabic is concerned, we were taught that specific phrases will entail specific meanings. but perhaps, our rudimentary information on arabic (modern or classical) means nothing.
btw, since you have lane's lexicon, perhaps you too may want to consult lane on the words stemming from the radicals w-s-l.
and since you had impressed upon us that there are differences between modern and classical arabic, perhaps you may want to use lane's lexicon and hans wehr's modern arabic dictionary to indicate and emphasize the differences between classical and modern arabic. you don't have to give lengthy explanations (specific references should suffice) as we also consult lane's lexicon for cross checks. the radicals s-l-w and w-s-l should be enough for a start.
patiently we wait, arnold. peace.
joe
-
Salaam Joe,
In my former post I gave you the Classic Arabic meaning, may I ask you, did Hans Wehr mention anything about horses? I don't think so, and I believe that is enough already. If you want to know more, then use the search function on this site or go look up my old posts, there is enough info for you there if you take effort.
-
Sunni or Shiah way of salaat is perfectly fine. In fact that is still how I pray. I agree that it does not matter how you perform your salaat. What is in your heart is what is important. However, I believe the whole 'remodification' of salat thing would only add to division among muslims. If everybody had different way of salat, we could no longer go pray standing as high and bowing as low together at the mosques. Therefore, I think it is better for us to preserve Sunni way of salat.
peace
In my openion there is no problen in praying in sunni way if you omit ameen" and Tashahud from it.
!
