A question.
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Hi all, I'm pretty new to Islam, but since I've decided to dedicate my life to Allah I've been very happy. I've been trying to figure out my stance on things especially salat. I've been reading articles for it and against on this and many other sites. My personal opinion is that salat has nothing to do with the formalized, ritual prayer that many people perform. Coming from a Catholic background I know that just because one does the actions and says the words of a formal prayer doesn't make it any more potent than a heartfelt call to Allah. I've not read all of the Qur'an but out of all the verses I've seen that have to do with salat don't mention anything about what the actual formula for prayer is which, for me would be the strongest case for it. Can anyone show me evidence otherwise? I'd really appreciate it as it would help me to finally put my mind to rest.
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Yes I agree formalized ritual prayer does GOD know good because you don't even have to be thinking about god to actually say it if you memorize the words good.....GOD would rather hear a personal prayer..welll I think your suppose to always say "I seek refuge in GOD from devil" but I'm not sure I can't remember the verse I'm thinking of
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Peace to all,
First, welcome to the forum ccampbell, hope to get to know you and become friends. I too was raised a catholic my entire life until about 4 years ago when I became a Quran alone Muslim, i do still think the physical form of prayer is important but i agree that it is the intention that is most important. The Quran does say things about actually bowing and prostrating so i do this in my prayers, but you dont have to be exact like the traditionalists claim, pray how you feel is best, either pray the words of the Quran or make up your own private conversation with God , he will listen. I think of the physical prayer as a combination to a safe that holds the greatest treasure in the universe, if someone told you the number combination to the safe and told you to remember it so that one day when you die you will have to open the safe to obtain the treasures, would you just try to think about the numbers and try to remember them once in awhile, or would you actually practice by physically dialing the numbers on the safe 5 times a day, which way do you think would help you remember the numbers to the safe better, and would you place your eternal souls salvation and happiness on it.
Kurt
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Hi.
It is true that the physical salat may look like what the people performed even before the modern ages, but it does not make you less of a modern man if you perform it in 2009.
Quran says ?piety is not to turn your faces towards the east and the west? (2177) , but does not say it is all spritual.
There may be tendency to not to act like traditionalists, you may be afraid that your family and friends may not tell the difference and put all you in the same basket, in any case i think you should read Quran, think about it, help getting clues from different views and decide for yourself.
(Also my suprise and congrats to all those who really aim to put their life in order in such young ages.)
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Peace be upon you,
Fisrt, unlearn that salaat = prayer..Du'a is prayer..so what is salaat? Programming of your subconcious(nafs)...it is the key to success.
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Hi all, I'm pretty new to Islam, but since I've decided to dedicate my life to Allah I've been very happy. I've been trying to figure out my stance on things especially salat. I've been reading articles for it and against on this and many other sites. My personal opinion is that salat has nothing to do with the formalized, ritual prayer that many people perform. Coming from a Catholic background I know that just because one does the actions and says the words of a formal prayer doesn't make it any more potent than a heartfelt call to Allah. I've not read all of the Qur'an but out of all the verses I've seen that have to do with salat don't mention anything about what the actual formula for prayer is which, for me would be the strongest case for it. Can anyone show me evidence otherwise? I'd really appreciate it as it would help me to finally put my mind to rest.
I remember around a decade ago I used to question the purpose and utility of ritual prayers too. But one of my older relatives once told me something which was really surprising to me, mainly because he does not seem much of the praying type and can seem to be kind of materialistic "there is a benefit in it, even though you do not see it at first"... Now I have fallen in and out of sin in my life since then, but I think I finally understood (especially over the past 3 years) the wisdom in that statement.
Its been a long time since then, and there are a couple of things which I have learnt that you might find useful in your quest. #1 The ritual of prayer does not change a person from the inside out... but from the outside in. This is really important to understand. Basically, it forces a person to develop discipline. And this is not just a benefit to your regular life, but is actually a requirement for the next step. #2 The deeper, esoteric understanding from religion does not come to you until you first prove to God that you can walk the path and keep consistent. And this only happens after God tests you, and you pass those tests. The discipline developed through the ritual and consistency one gains is CRUCIAL to passing the tests that you will be put through. And believe me, if you are true in your faith, you will be tested. In this way, prayer is a stepping stone to achieving progress on your path.
PeAcE
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Peace be upon you,
#2 The deeper, esoteric understanding from religion does not come to you until you first prove to God that you can walk the path and keep consistent. And this only happens after God tests you, and you pass those tests.
Well said