Quran 4:102 does not mean prostration in Salaat
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Many people think that the word ?prostration? mentioned in Quran 4102 refers to physically falling prostrate while performing Salaat and hence it is an evidence for physical prostration in Salaat. But, if we study this verse deeply and without prejudice, then we will learn that Salaat is told metaphorically as prostration in this verse.
?When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and standest to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee, Taking their arms with them When they finish their prostrations, let them Take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed - and let them pray with thee, Taking all precaution, and bearing arms the Unbelievers wish, if ye were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to assault you in a single rush. But there is no blame on you if ye put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because ye are ill; but take (every) precaution for yourselves. For the Unbelievers Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment.?
?And when thou (O Muhammad) art among them and arrangest (their) worship for them, let only a party of them stand with thee (to worship) and let them take their arms. Then when they have performed their prostrations let them fall to the rear and let another party come that hath not worshipped and let them worship with thee, and let them take their precaution and their arms. Those who disbelieve long for you to neglect your arms and your baggage that they may attack you once for all. It is no sin for you to lay aside your arms, if rain impedeth you or ye are sick. But take your precaution. Lo! Allah prepareth for the disbelievers shameful punishment.?
This verse gives instruction as to how Salaat can be performed in a war-like situation. Prophet Muhammad is told to lead the Salaat and one group of the believers are told to join Muhammad and STAND with him in Salaat, while other group of believers are to stand guards. Notice that not only those who stand guards but also those who perform Salaat with Muhammad are instructed strictly to hold weapons. It also informs us that laying weapons aside is permitted only when it rains(where there is a remote possibility of an attack) and to those who are sick and otherwise it is a sin.
If Salaat involves physically bowing and prostrating, God would not have given instruction to hold weapons while performing Salaat because it is impossible to hold weapons while bowing and prostrating. How can one hold a weapon like a sword when bowing down and prostrating? What purpose does the holding of a weapon serve if one bows down and fall prostrate holding such a weapon? It is logical to hold a weapon while standing because we can keep watch over the ground situation and see a sudden appearance of attacking forces. How is it logical to hold a weapon while bowing down and prostrating since no one can be able to clearly see the movement of others who come from behind or left and right directions. Will God give such an impractical and illogical instruction to believers? NEVER.
The word prostration mentioned in this verse does not mean in this context the act of physically falling prostrate but this word has been used as a metaphor to indicate Salaat. So, the phrase ?when they have performed their prostrations? here means ?when they have performed their Salaats.
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Peace everyone,
Hmmmmmmm..................
Compelling argument. After going through the above post by vivek and the past discussions in the links provided by Wakas, I am seriously rethinking my understanding about sujud pertaining to salaat.
"When they have sajadoo" in 4102 obviously implies a physical action, otherwise how would the leader know when they have sajadoo. In the light of the above presented argument and the pertinent past discussions referenced by Wakas, I am inclining towards the understanding that "when they have sajadoo" can only mean "when they have verbally remembered and glorified The God", thereby submitting to The God, as that would be a physical action comprising of uttering words of remembrance and glorification of The God. Hence, "sajadoo" in 4102 would refer to verbally remembering and glorifying The God. When one remembers and glorifies The God during salaat, one obeys/acknowledges The God by doing so, and that action itself would be "sujud" in the context of salaat in 4102.
So it would seem that "fa-itha sajadoo" in 4102 meaning "when they have submitted" refers to "when they have glorified and remembered The God".
But then what is meant by "fall to the chins in sujud" in 17107 ? Could it be referring to glorifying and remembering The God with extreme humility? So whenever the people of the book hear the signs of The God, they "fall to the chins in sujud" by uttering words of remembrance and glorification of The God with great humility.
If it was "fall upon the chins" then it was definitely a physical prostration, but "fall to the chins" leaves the possibility of a metaphorical/idiomatic interpretation as I explained above.
English language has similar metaphorical/idiomatic usages of the word "fall"
fall (f?l)
v. fell (fl), fall?en (f?ln), fall?ing, falls
v.intr.- To drop or come down freely under the influence of gravity.
- To drop oneself to a lower or less erect position I fell back in my chair. The pilgrims fell to their knees.
a. To lose an upright or erect position suddenly.
b. To drop wounded or dead, especially in battle.
4. To go or come as if by falling All grief fell from our hearts. Night fell quickly.
5. To come to rest; settle The light fell on my book.
6. To hang down The child's hair fell in ringlets.
7. To be cast down Her eyes fell.
8. To assume an expression of consternation or disappointment His face fell when he heard the report.
9. To undergo conquest or capture, especially as the result of an armed attack The city fell after a long siege.
10.
a. To experience defeat or ruin After 300 years the dynasty fell.
b. To lose office The disgraced prime minister fell from power.
11. To slope downward The rolling hills fall gently toward the coast.
12.
a. To lessen in amount or degree The air pressure is falling.
b. To decline in financial value Last year, stocks fell sharply.
13. To diminish in pitch or volume My friend's voice fell to a whisper.
14.
a. To give in to temptation; sin.
b. Theology To lose primordial innocence and happiness. Used of humanity as a result of the Fall.
c. To lose one's chastity.
15. To pass into a particular state, condition, or situation fell silent; fall in love.
16. To occur at a specified time New Year's Day falls on a Tuesday this year.
17. To occur at a specified place The stress falls on the last syllable.
18. To come, as by chance fell among a band of thieves; a thought that fell into his mind.
19.
a. To be given by assignment or distribution The greatest task fell to me.
b. To be given by right or inheritance.
20. To be included within the range or scope of something The specimens fall into three categories.
21. To come into contact; strike My gaze fell on a small book in the corner.
22. To come out; issue Insincere compliments fell from their lips.
23. To apply oneself fell to work immediately.
24. To be born. Used chiefly of lambs.
v.tr.
To cut down (a tree); fell.Peace
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peace,
The sjd could be any of the classical arabic meanings listed for sjd. Prostration is the lesser likely meaning given the context/evidence/reasoning/etc.
As an aside, there is a verse mentioning the prophet setting out in the morning or at dawn during wartime, i think.
As for to the chins, I take it as an idiomatic expression because whenever God's words are heard, one would not need to do this action, as it would be impractical/dangerous.
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peace all,
Just before I went to bed last night, I had the following thought
We can prove "fall to the chin in sjd" is an idiomatic expression, using the logical/word precision in AQ
- There is no clear example of anyone doing this physically in AQ when hearing God's words.
- To do this whenever we heard God's words it would be impractical/dangerous
- 4102 already tells us that salat ends upon sjd, so if salat involves reciting or listening to God's words (which is what AQ strongly implies) then pretty much as soon as salat began, we would have to fall to the chin in sjd, thus ending the salat as per 4102, meaning it would last less than 20 seconds!
Thus, we can safely prove "fall to the chin in sjd" is an idiomatic expression, to me, likely meaning to lower oneself to the utmost, i.e. an idiomatic expression for humility.
Please note, when I use the word salat above I am referring to the regular/timed salat, which is best translated as "homage/affirmation" or "bond".
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How can one hold a weapon like a sword when bowing down and prostrating?
You can hold your sword like in the image below because prayind folded arms is not the common way to pray !!!! Ponder upon it !
http//img.jeuxvideo.fr/00097727-photo-fiche-jeux-prince-of-persia-warrior-within.jpg
