combining root meanings of salat to form a unified meaning?
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peace all,
Further thoughts on salat...
The following can only be understood with the differentiation between muslim and mumin, and the regular/timed salat is only prescribed upon the mumin. (if this is true of course)
From Lane, we also have the following root meanings (as opposed to the ones most commonly discussed here)
benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnification
If The God were to say to a mumin, uphold the...
benediction (blessing, wishing well)
what would that mean to a mumin?
commendation (the act of praising, a message of affection/respect/approval, favourable representation in words, recommendation)
what would that mean to a mumin?
blessing (to honour as holy, sanctify/glorify, to invoke divine favour upon, to confer well-being/prosperity on, something promoting/contributing to happiness/well-being/prosperity, approval)
what would that mean to a mumin?
honour (high respect/consideration/reverence, that which rightfully attracts esteem/respect/dignity, especially excellence of character, a nice sense of what is right, just, and true, a code of integrity)
what would that mean to a mumin?
magnification (to make greater; to increase the dimensions of, to glorify or praise, to increase the importance of)
what would that mean to a mumin?
I have my own ideas. Anyone else?
Wakas
ps - the definitions of words are taken from www.dictionary.com
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peace MD,
I must have missed your Qs. Sorry. I will answer them now
What do you mean by "root meanings"???
A root is the component Arabic letters of the Arabic word. salat's root is sawd-lam-waw. Arabic is structured as a root-system (or at least thats the mainstream view). See 'what is a root' in release 1 of PRL.
And how has anyone decided the meaning of salat?
It can be based on the oldest Classical Arabic dictionaries which use the oldest scripts of written Classical Arabic to get the meanings (i.e. how were specific words used back in the day) OR it can be based on al quran itself (i.e. go/turn towards).
I have read that salat means commitments and process and assembly. However, how do people arrive at these conclusions?
From their study of al quran (perhaps plus own thoughts and lexicons).
And how was salat ever considered prayer?
Apparently, this is one of its possible meanings based on Classical Arabic dictionaries. It would be interesting to find out the oldest script using this word to see how its used and if its not prayer then finding out when this meaning is first used.
There is only one sign/verse in al quran (out of about 70!) which implies salat and prayer are related, and that is 339. This sign/verse describes duaa as being in the act of salla. It is an extrapolation to say they are equated. It can be likened to my cousin playing football in the garden and someone asks me "where is your cousin?" and i reply "he is playing outside". In this analogy I have described "football" as "playing" but that does not mean one can substitute playing for football as if they are identical terms.
Furthermore, there is more than one verse which severely dents the salat=prayer hypothesis, so based on statistics alone, the number of times salat=prayer is implied (i.e. once) is much less than the times salat=prayer causes problems.Wakas
In the future, if anyone asks me questions and I dont answer. Just PM me to make sure I've seen your question.
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Peace all,
What do you mean by "root meanings"???
A root is the component Arabic letters of the Arabic word. salat's root is sawd-lam-waw. Arabic is structured as a root-system (or at least thats the mainstream view). See 'what is a root' in release 1 of PRL.
Is it Salaat or Sollaa? Where did the "waw" come from?
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peace Mazher,
Is it Salaat or Sollaa?
Firstly, I think its wrong to imply its a proper noun.
The root is Sawd-Lam-Waw, the waw comes from the actual word in its proper form. In Arabic, the letters Alif, Waw and Ya are often substituted and inter-changed, I'm not entirely sure why, no doubt some grammatical thing. Quite often when I've looked up roots, the letters Waw/Alif/Ya are different (e.g. in the QD, it might use a Ya whilst in Lane it might use a Waw. You may have to ask someone more knowledgable of Arabic grammar.
Wakas
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Peace Wakas,
And thanks.
I downloaded the reference you gave me. Thanks.
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Peace to you, Mazher
Is it Salaat or Sollaa? Where did the "waw" come from?
Finally (sigh), someone who really, truly, rejects conjecture, senses this and pops the question )
There is no such thing as "solla", my Brother Mazher. It is one of the many very foolish mistakes of Aidid Safar or whoever the real guy or the real institution is! "Aidid" worshippers just blindly fell for it.
Any Arab, or anyone with relatively good Arabic, will just break in laughter hearing that word. It is nothing but gibberish. lol
I am happy that the word ?solla? didn't sound right to you even though you are not an Arab. Good deal! )Taj
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Peace Danish, all,
Is it Salaat or Sollaa? Where did the "waw" come from?
The word salat which is tradionally translated as prayer is written as (Sad/-Lam/-'waw/'-ta/) and above the letter "waw/", there is a little "alif" which serve as a lengthening for the letter "lam" and the letter "waw/" we do not pronounce it. This is why you find the word Salat/Sala(wa/)t in some translation.
In the verb /salla(a), there is no letter "waw/"
108 2. Fasalli lirabbika wainhar
- Fala saddaqa wala salla
96 10. AAabdan itha salla
I think for the word sala(w)t/salat, the letter "waw/" doesn't belong to the root
Allah knows best
Peace
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Peace, Marie
Peace Danish, all,
Is it Salaat or Sollaa? Where did the "waw" come from?
The word salat which is tradionally translated as prayer is written as (Sad/-Lam/-'waw/'-ta/) and above the letter "waw/", there is a little "alif" which serve as a lengthening for the letter "lam" and the letter "waw/" we do not pronounce it. This is why you find the word Salat/Sala(wa/)t in some translation.
In the verb /salla(a), there is no letter "waw/"
108 2. Fasalli lirabbika wainhar
- Fala saddaqa wala salla
96 10. AAabdan itha salla
I think for the word sala(w)t/salat, the letter "waw/" doesn't belong to the root
Allah knows best
Peace
Perfect, Marie! Thanks D
Taj
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Peace wakas and all...
This did not bring much comments and in some ways that is sad because there really is much to be learned and many different thoughts on the subject I am sure.
For me, as a converted muslim, the little stuff has little value in meaning...For example, how to correctly say, spell, or even pronounce corectly the word salat or salaa...
However, the correct spelling and pronunciation I am sure is valuable. This could definately change the meaning of a word.
Secondly, root words might not themselves be accurate. The words in the Quran today are as we all know what is termed old Arabic and the meanings can change with time. People do not normally speak old Arabic in their homes on everyday terms...
However, we do as muslims know that Allah has promised to preserve the Quran. And the meanings are easy to gain.
Also, I have tried to gain some meaning between what is a muslim and a mumin. Seems the Quran is clear. You submit or surrender. That is the first step. From there one must live the life of Islam. One must give charity. And then one has become a believer.
So here is a small attempt to what I might realize this all means...Or what it might simply mean to me!
uphold the benediction (blessing, wishing well)
For a mumin, al quran could be regarded as the blessing. A mumin would also wish well according to its message/criteria/system. With this understanding in mind, one can relate it to a generalised concept of 'upholding the divine system'.
As the difference between a muslim and mumin is so clear. First speak, then action! So to uphold benediction would mean putting some action into the matter.
The one who with word of mouth wishes someone well is a muslim and the one who have taken some action to help a person gain some ease or blessing or well wishing is the mumin.uphold the commendation (the act of praising, a message of affection/respect/approval, favourable representation in words, recommendation)
For a mumin, al quran is the message of affection/respect/approval, a favourable representation in words, and is most definitely regarded as the recommendation. With this understanding in mind, one can relate it to a generalised concept of 'upholding the divine system'
from dictionary.com n 1 an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement 2 a message expressing a favorable opinion; "words of approval seldom passed his lips"
The first meaning is praising, respect and so on.(more word of mouth)..the second meaning is more of action...
Does this mean Allah would have us literaly give awards to those who deserve it?Peace! And thanks Wakas for causing me to think so deeply!
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peace MD,
If one concludes a mumin is directly tied to upholding the scripture, then only a mumin would be following "uphold/maintain the salat" (because its in the scripture). A muslim can be a muslim without having read the scripture.
But I agree that if both types of people read the command "uphold/maintain the salat", they could interpret it differently. Primarily because, for a mumin, the command is specifically tied to the scripture. Whilst, for a muslim, it refers to general principles of good/charity/honesty/piety/humility etc. Obviously, these principles are enshrined in al quran, but are often more specific, or more elaborately detailed.Wakas
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Peace Wakas,
I agree that to follow the Quran is what a believer or mumin would do. In the back of the mind or always on the mind in some way or another is the though of Allah and how he would have us live our life. To find this out we must study Quran.
Secondly, I never, as a general rule trust my own instincts. I do not know what that means a muslim or a believer. But, I do know that my instincts are generally what I have been raised to believe and I have found some very surprising differences when studying Quran. I can give you one example that comes to mind. As a christian I was and they still maintain that treating a person who sins or is living sinfully nice and politely is the best way to bring them closer to God...However, the Quran is clear when stating that the devil (and this is the sinful one) should be treated as an enemy.
Some people, namely christians, might state that this forum and others are actually rude when they have a garbage dump for certain posts..However, if one follows closely quran, treating sinfulness as garbage is actually what we should do.
In other words, Wakas, what I think you are saying is the believer will closely follow quran and not the senses when deciding good from evil.
The Quran does state that it is impossibe to use our own intelligence...we need guidance. And that guidance come only from Allah...
As I see this earthly life the biggest challenge is deciding which religion is correct! We know one is...And for sure only one because there is only one god. So which one?
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Salaam MD,
I think the idea is to attune our wills to the will of the One and Only. In the hadeeth about adam/mankind, I see that adam is learning from God and enjoying the rewards of loyalty. Mumin = Loyalist. When adam withdraws from what is taught, seeks a direction other than one in line with what is best, it's like eating from that tree, taking a bite out of disloyalty.
Joe
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Peace be upon you all...
Excellent article - very thought provoking - i suppose what we are here to do. This little ditty is in response to the last post by Wakas.
I have personally found that the more I begin the read, study and attempt to understand the quran my instincts to 'behave' myself are being strengthened. Its as if with Allah's guidance I am strengthening my mental associations on what pleases Him and developing into a better person.
I feel much better about myself and how I talk to people and how I respond to them as if I can 'sense' the guidance from moment to moment. Its an incredible feeling. I must add as well, since i have regularly started studying the quran at dawn - a verse or two will spring up my mind during the day, especially when it comes to me making a choice from doing the right or wrong thing.
I know it sounds crazy, but its as if I hear the verse in my head, usually in response to a thought whether positive (good) or negative (bad). I definitely believe that reading and studying the quran at dawn has given me an 'edge' to my waking life. However I still havent come to the conclusion that this studying is salaat, even though it feels right - but then we also have to watch out and guard against the whisperer of lies.
Just my usual ramblings.
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Peace everybody,
I feel much better about myself and how I talk to people and how I respond to them as if I can 'sense' the guidance from moment to moment. Its an incredible feeling. I must add as well, since i have regularly started studying the quran at dawn - a verse or two will spring up my mind during the day, especially when it comes to me making a choice from doing the right or wrong thing.
this sounds very familiar, I often get this feeling, relevant verses 'tattooed' at the back of my conscience.
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