SAlat
-
Peace brother Hussein,
Remeber that there are two meanings that I cited. The way that I understand the "Yakhirroon lilathkan Sujjadan" is like this
They fall/or move down till their chins (The Ayah does not say that the chins touch the ground, therefore it may mean till the chins are just really low) in their performance of Sujood (prostration).
If as you said The God wanted to describe the "really low" part, He could have easily said "till the forehead/"nasiya(t)"". In the traditional "sujud" that would be the logical thing to do. Saying "till something" when in fact it is "till something else" is illogical. On the other hand, "till the chin" means that the chin is the lowest part and not the forehead. Interestingly, it is impossible to put your chin and forehead on the ground and the same time.
I do not deny that the Sujood is in the heart. However, I don't think that if you have Sujood in your heart then you should not do it physically. It is not either/or.
It is OK if you take "sujud" to be physical and in the heart. The God is telling you to do "sujud" till the chin. Are you going to hear and obey The God and do sujud till the chin or are you going to hear "to the chin" and obey what the majority is doing?
This is the real test of the heart brother.
Interestingly, in the context of preventing from the real "salat", chapter 96 talks about the errant and lying forehead. What is the forehead doing that is a lie and in error?
Peace on who followed the guidance,
Ayman
-
Salam brothers,
As for the "Yakhirroon lilathkan Sujjadan"
When you are very shy or very embarassed you lower your face (Kharr) till your chin touches your chest which is the lowest face that you can do. this AYA that comes just after 17107 may give some more light on that description.
Wayakhirroona lil-athqaniyabkoona wayazeeduhum khushooAAan
They lower their faces in tears, and it increases their (earnest) humility.As for the chapter 96, I read it differently from you
Araayta allathee yanha
Seest thou one who forbids-
10.
AAabdan itha salla
A votary when he (turns) to pray?
So someone is preventing someone from praying. and then it goes like this after a few more versesKalla la-in lam yantahi lanasfaAAanbialnnasiyati
Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,-
16.
Nasiyatin kathibatin khati-atin
A lying, sinful forelock!So, someone preventing someone from prayer and he is dragged by his forehead. (This is very interesting because the forehead does the Sujood. You understand that the false Sujood led this person that way. I understand that the person that refused and prevented others from prayer and therefore will receive his due on the forehead)
The Sura ends this way
Kalla la tutiAAhu waosjudwaiqtarib
Day, heed him not But prostrate in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!So GOD says Don't listen and Prostrate
We can argue this back and forth so many times. I am certain that you have your points of discussion and that is great. May peace be with you
Hussein
-
Salaams Hlatif sahib,
You are trying to uphold a lot of mistranslations of the quran, may Allah guid you.An example
you saidSo, someone preventing someone from prayer and he is dragged by his forehead. (This is very interesting because the forehead does the Sujood. You understand that the false Sujood led this person that way. I understand that the person that refused and prevented others from prayer and therefore will receive his due on the forehead)
Where have you gotten the forhead from ???I have checked and rechecked lanes and qd, but it has other meanings and non is close to anything like a forhead.
Keep following mistranslations and remain lost .I am not here to guide but you need to be able to guide .Thanks.
Salaams.
-
Salaams Hlatif,
lookoing at your recent post aloneAs for the "Yakhirroon lilathkan Sujjadan"
When you are very shy or very embarassed you lower your face (Kharr) till your chin touches your chest which is the lowest face that you can do. this AYA that comes just after 17107 may give some more light on that description.
Wayakhirroona lil-athqaniyabkoona wayazeeduhum khushooAAan
They lower their faces in tears, and it increases their (earnest) humility.-Athqani = chins or faces ?
36108 (for comparision)
Verily we have put on their necks iron collars so these up to the chins (Alathqaani) so that they (are)made stiff-reached/ necked.
So 17107-108 becomes
Say believe in it or do not believe verily those who were given knowledge before it when it is recited to them they come on their chins submitting (Sujadan).
I.E This to me is a sajood but by lowering the chin , and when nothing physical is mentioned - then of course there is no physicallity involved.
Your previous quotes of ayats depicting a physical sajood were floored because of mistranslatings.
I hope i am not misunderstanding your post.
By the way have you seen the jews do sajood by their veilling wall,nodding their heads - sajood on their chins?
Thanks.
-
Salam Alaikum
how would you go about analyzing this ayat?
004.043
YUSUFALI O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.
PICKTHAL O ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when ye are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter, nor when ye are polluted, save when journeying upon the road, till ye have bathed. And if ye be ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have touched women, and ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and rub your faces and your hands (therewith). Lo! Allah is Benign, Forgiving.
SHAKIR O you who believe! do not go near prayer when you are Intoxicated until you know (well) what you say, nor when you are under an obligation to perform a bath-- unless (you are) travelling on the road-- until you have washed yourselves; and if you are sick, or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy or you have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth, then wipe your faces and your hands; surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving.could some give their views on this it would be appreciate. Physical or allegorical?
-
Peace be upon you Naishaannisa,
My understanding of "salaat" is that it is the process. The process of learning/memory. The METHOD of this process is to read the signs of the God (wether it is the cration itself, or the reading) at dawn and dusk.
The God tells us not to come near this process while we are intoxicated UNTIL we know what we are SAYING. SAYING is a key word which denotes that it has to do with speech/reading, not commitments in general.
The rest is regarding the process of cleansing the LOWEST PART OF THE BEING, the physical body, because we start at the bottom and work our way up to the highest part of the BEING. We remind ourselves from the beginning that we are creations of water and earth(clay).
We remember this because far too many of us have fallen under the illusion that we are our bodies themselves.
-
Salaams Naisha,
Something other that may be help
- O you who believe, do not come near the contact-method while you are drunk, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless travelling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water then you shall make ablution with clean soil by wiping your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
So after excreting feces,according to this translation funny all you need to do is wipe your faces and your hands (if you can't find water),and you then can take part in a salah!
The following is better
- O you who believe, do not come near the SALAAT while you are drunk, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless travelling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or DID A THING one of you FROM EXCRETION OF feces or sexual contact with the women and could not find water then you shall make ablution with clean soil by wiping your SELVES(YOUR ASSES ,IN THIS CASE) and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
This verse is describing some basic hygienic manners before meeting with people, in order to avoid illness transmission.
Now the following is better still
- O you who believe, do not come near the SALAAT while you are drunk, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless travelling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or DID A THING one of you FROM EXCRETION OF feces, or sexual contact with the women, and could not find water then you shall wipe your SELVES with clean soil. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Tnanks.
-
Thanks for your posts brother mz357,
The litteral most basic translation of the "Yakhirroon lilathkan Sujjadan" is like this
yakhirroon they fall or lower
lilto or till
athqan chins or beards.therefore the statment can be understood in many ways since it leaves many specifics open. does the whole body lower or just part of it? till the chin reach where?. You understand it as falling on their chin and you like this explanantion because it is illogical. I understand it differently and this is my understanding
" they fall or lower(may be their face) till the chin (may be reach the chest)" I may be wrong and I may be right.
As for the physical aspect of the prayer. How can you explain those ayats
Ya maryamu oqnutee lirabbiki waosjudeewairkaAAee maAAa alrrakiAAeena
"O Mary! worship Thy Lord devoutly Prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."Wa-itha kunta feehim faaqamta lahumualssalata faltaqum ta-ifatun minhummaAAaka walya/khuthoo aslihatahum fa-ithasajadoo falyakoonoo min wara-ikum walta/ti ta-ifatunokhra lam yusalloo falyusalloo maAAakawalya/khuthoo hithrahum waaslihatahumwadda allatheena kafaroo law taghfuloona AAan aslihatikumwaamtiAAatikum fayameeloona AAalaykum maylatan wahidatanwala junaha AAalaykum in kana bikum athanmin matarin aw kuntum marda an tadaAAoo aslihatakumwakhuthoo hithrakum inna AllahaaAAadda lilkafireena AAathaban muheenan
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.I find this Ayah very physical stand up in prayer, Arms, people behind people...
Waallatheena yabeetoonalirabbihim sujjadan waqiyaman
Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing;This indicates a movement of standing and prostrating. Something that people don't do mentally (at least tome)
Thank you and I appreciate your thoughtful responses.
Hussein
-
Peace brother Hussein,
The litteral most basic translation of the "Yakhirroon lilathkan Sujjadan" is like this
yakhirroon they fall or lower
lilto or till
athqan chins or beards."thaqn" doesn't mean beard. The word "li7yat" means beard and that is how it is used in the great reading.
therefore the statment can be understood in many ways since it leaves many specifics open. does the whole body lower or just part of it? till the chin reach where?. You understand it as falling on their chin and you like this explanantion because it is illogical. I understand it differently and this is my understanding
" they fall or lower(may be their face) till the chin (may be reach the chest)" I may be wrong and I may be right.
If The God said "fall to the forehead" then we wouldn't be having this discussion. If you see "sujud" primary meaning as physical, it is fine, just obey The God and do your "sujud" to the chin and NOT the forehead. It is difficult but not impossible.
The only source for "sujud" being to the forehead are the idolaters.
As for the physical aspect of the prayer. How can you explain those ayats
Ya maryamu oqnutee lirabbiki waosjudeewairkaAAee maAAa alrrakiAAeena
"O Mary! worship Thy Lord devoutly Prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."The three commands are related and simultaneous. There is not single verse of the great reading that says we should do "ruk3" first and then/"thuma" "sujud".
Is "uqnoti" (be devoted) physical?
How can Maryam physically prostrate and bow down at the same time?
How can Maryam "physically bow down with others" when we know from other signs that she was alone when the "malaika" came to her.
The meaning is "be devoted, hear and obey, and be humble with those who are humble".
Wa-itha kunta feehim faaqamta lahumualssalata faltaqum ta-ifatun minhummaAAaka walya/khuthoo aslihatahum fa-ithasajadoo falyakoonoo min wara-ikum walta/ti ta-ifatunokhra lam yusalloo falyusalloo maAAakawalya/khuthoo hithrahum waaslihatahumwadda allatheena kafaroo law taghfuloona AAan aslihatikumwaamtiAAatikum fayameeloona AAalaykum maylatan wahidatanwala junaha AAalaykum in kana bikum athanmin matarin aw kuntum marda an tadaAAoo aslihatakumwakhuthoo hithrakum inna AllahaaAAadda lilkafireena AAathaban muheenan
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.I find this Ayah very physical stand up in prayer, Arms, people behind people...
How do you take your arms with you while "physically prostrating". Can you take a tank with you while physically prostrating? Of course not. On the other hand, you can listen to lessons and war commands based on the great reading while manning your tank. Once the learning process is completed and every body complies, then other troops should come and learn their commands. This is elementary war tactics. You don't have all of your army in a hall learning from the commander. Some learn their orders, while others stand watch. This is natural.
Waallatheena yabeetoonalirabbihim sujjadan waqiyaman
Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing;This indicates a movement of standing and prostrating. Something that people don't do mentally (at least tome)
Thank you and I appreciate your thoughtful responses.
Do you spend the whole night in physical prostration on the ground? What purpose does that accomplish?
Does this mean that someone who is handicapped cannot be amongst the people described in 2564? There is no exception given.
Can you stand and physically prostrate at the same time?
When The God says "aqimu al-salat" does it mean "stand" or "establish/persist"? By the same token, "qiyam" means establish/persist.
So the meaning is "hear and obey and persist"
Peace on who followed the guidance,
Ayman
-
Salam Brother Ayman,
I am afraid that I am not convinced by your interpretations
hlatif wrote
As for the physical aspect of the prayer. How can you explain those ayatsYa maryamu oqnutee lirabbiki waosjudeewairkaAAee maAAa alrrakiAAeena
"O Mary! worship Thy Lord devoutly Prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."[]
The three commands are related and simultaneous. There is not single verse of the great reading that says we should do "ruk3" first and then/"thuma" "sujud".
I disagree. The arabic language is full of expressions like this and they do not mean that they have to be done simltaneaously. For example we say "akal wa shareb" meaning "ate and drank" This does not necessarily mean that you ate and you drank with a single gulp. In fact, most people don't, yet they use this term. There are thousnds of examples like that.
Is "uqnoti" (be devoted) physical?
No
How can Maryam physically prostrate and bow down at the same time?
As I pointed out they don't have to be at the same time.
How do you take your arms with you while "physically prostrating". Can you take a tank with you while physically prostrating? Of course not. On the other hand, you can listen to lessons and war commands based on the great reading while manning your tank.
The Aya specifically addresses the prophet muhammad himself. There were no tanks at the time. In addition, I am not aware that SALAT can mean LESSONS and war commands.
Do you spend the whole night in physical prostration on the ground?
I don't but people better than me have done lots of prayer at night prostrating and standing.
Does this mean that someone who is handicapped cannot be amongst the people described in 2564? There is no exception given.
GOD indicated in the book that he does not ask of us what we cannot do. They have their licence.
quote]Can you stand and physically prostrate at the same time? [/quote
Again the Ayah does not say that and neither does the arabic language indicate it.
Salam and thanks for the stimulating discussion
Hussein
-
Salaams Br Latif,
005.055
YUSUFALI Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers,- those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).
PICKTHAL Your guardian can be only Allah; and His messenger and those who believe, who establish worship and pay the poordue, and bow down (in prayer).
SHAKIR Only Allah is your Vali and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow.You are no daught well tallented.now looking at this ayat ,can/is Rakiuon part of the Salaat?Not to me from my understanding of the verse !
Salaams.
-
Salam Brother mz357,
Thanks for the referral to the Ayah 555. The way I understant the arabic of the Ayah is closer to Shakir's understanding rather than the others
SHAKIR Only Allah is your Vali and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow.
Sahkir used While rather than AND and the Arabic is closer to that. Also I understand that the "while bowing" covers both "While paying the poor and while praying."
Having said that, your understanding is reasonable. In any case, even if the Rukouu was not mentioned as part of prayer in this Ayah, this does not necessarily exclude Rukouu from prayer.
For example you wash your hands when you are getting ready to eat. This will not prevent you from washing your hands when you are ready to pray or when you use the bathroom. It is not mutually exclusive.
Salam brother
Hussein
-
Peace brother Hussein,
I disagree. The arabic language is full of expressions like this and they do not mean that they have to be done simltaneaously. For example we say "akal wa shareb" meaning "ate and drank" This does not necessarily mean that you ate and you drank with a single gulp. In fact, most people don't, yet they use this term. There are thousnds of examples like that.
This is a good example, in 2187 we hear "kulu wa ishrabu" (eat and drink) and it doesn't mean that we should eat first and then drink. Some people would drink while others are eating. Hence, there is no specific order. In other instances it is used to indicate simultaneous action sort of like "while" in English. In the instance of 343 was Maryam "devout" then she was no longer devout and "did sujud" then she was no longer in "sujud" and "did ruku3"? No, she was devout all along and in "sujud" all along.
How do you take your arms with you while "physically prostrating". Can you take a tank with you while physically prostrating? Of course not. On the other hand, you can listen to lessons and war commands based on the great reading while manning your tank.
The Aya specifically addresses the prophet muhammad himself. There were no tanks at the time. In addition, I am not aware that SALAT can mean LESSONS and war commands.
According to evidence from the great reading, the term "salat" describes a learning process/connection not some ritual. Hence, when it is said that The God "yusali" on those who have faith, this doesn't mean that He bows and prostrates in a 2,4,4,3,4 mechnical ritual. It means that He teaches those who have faith. Remember that The God is the Teacher of the reading.
How else do we remember other than by learning? On the other hand, a ritual only makes us remember the mechanical steps but makes us forget the purpose. In the context of war, what would you need to learn?
Do you spend the whole night in physical prostration on the ground?
I don't but people better than me have done lots of prayer at night prostrating and standing.
No sane and balanced person does.
Does this mean that someone who is handicapped cannot be amongst the people described in 2564? There is no exception given.
GOD indicated in the book that he does not ask of us what we cannot do. They have their licence.
When someone can't do something, for example "sawm"/abstaining and "7ajj", The God gives them license. There is NEVER such license in the case of "salat", "sujud", and "ruku3". Why give license in the case of "sawm" but no license in the case of "salat"?
Again, If you see "sujud" primary meaning as physical, it is fine, just obey The God and do your "sujud" to the chin and NOT the forehead. Othersiwe, please tell us what is your source for "sujud" being to the forehead?
Peace on who followed the guidance,
Ayman
-
Salaam Hlatif,
This is what/how i underetsand it
555
Only your friend (is)Allah and his Messenger and those who believe those who establish the salaat and give zakaat and they (are) those who bow down.
But you take it as you see it thanks.
God bless,
Bye. -
Peace all.
RAAKIcON = THOSE WHO BOW
SAAJIDON = THOSE WHO PROSTRATE
And be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity; and (IRKAcO) bow down (MacA) with (AR- RAAKIcEN) THOSE who bow down. 243
"O Mary! worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself and (IRKAcE) bow down (MacA) with (AR- RAAKIcEN) THOSE who bow down." 343
Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah His Apostle and the (fellowship of) believers those who establish regular prayers and regular charity (WA HUM) and they (are) (RAAKIcON) THOSE who bow down 555
(Triumphant) are (AT- TAA'IBON ) THOSE who turn repentant (to Allah), (AL- cAABIDON) those who serve (Him), (AL- H.AAMIDON) THOSE who praise (Him), (AS- SAA'IH.ON) THOSE who fast, (AR RAAKIcON) THOSE who bow down, (AS- SAAJIDON) THOSE who fall prostrate, (AL- 'AAMIRON) THOSE who enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and (AL- H.AAFIZ.ON) THOSE who keep the limits (ordained) of Allah And give glad tidings to believers! 9112
This is enough for brother HUSSEIN
Thanks
-
Salams to brothers Ayman, mz357 and Kazi,
Thanks Brother Hafeez for your response.
I will respond to brother Ayman first and then to brother mz357
In the instance of 343 was Maryam "devout" then she was no longer devout and "did sujud" then she was no longer in "sujud" and "did ruku3"? No, she was devout all along and in "sujud" all along.
Just because she remains devout, does not mean that the other actions have to be simultaneous as well.
When someone can't do something, for example "sawm"/abstaining and "7ajj", The God gives them license. There is NEVER such license in the case of "salat", "sujud", and "ruku3". Why give license in the case of "sawm" but no license in the case of "salat"?
GOD asks us to do what we can do
La yukallifu Allahu nafsanilla wusAAaha laha ma kasabatwaAAalayha ma iktasabat rabbana latu-akhithna in naseena aw akhta/narabbana wala tahmil AAalayna isrankama hamaltahu AAala allatheena minqablina rabbana wala tuhammilnama la taqata lana bihi waoAAfuAAanna waighfir lana wairhamnaanta mawlana faonsurna AAalaalqawmi alkafireena
On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."Therefore, a person in a wheel chair will be asked to do what he/she can.
Again, If you see "sujud" primary meaning as physical, it is fine, just obey The God and do your "sujud" to the chin and NOT the forehead. Othersiwe, please tell us what is your source for "sujud" being to the forehead?
According to "Qamus Muheet" one of the meanings of the root (SJD) and it's derivatives is "To tilt the head down" . The lowest point that you can tilt your head down to is "Till your chin stops" which is when the chin touches the chest. I explained this in an earlier post.
As for brother mz357, you mentioned
and they (are) those who bow down.
I will go to the literal arabic trasnlation to explain my point
"Wa Hum Rakioun"
Wa means "and"
Hum means "They"
Rakioun means "Bowing" The whole thing becomes "and they bowing"
I add that there is not a word "While" in arabic and the "Wa" is used to mean "while"So, I see "and they bowing" as a description/adjective of the ones that pray and pay alms, adn not as a separate action as you see it. GOD knows best
I hope that I am helpful to y'all, because you have been helpful to me in many ways through our disagreements.
Hussein
-
Peace brother Hussein,
In the instance of 343 was Maryam "devout" then she was no longer devout and "did sujud" then she was no longer in "sujud" and "did ruku3"? No, she was devout all along and in "sujud" all along.
Just because she remains devout, does not mean that the other actions have to be simultaneous as well.
So at least you acknowledge that the first "wa"/and does denote a simultaneous action. So what reason do you have to understand the second "wa" and the third "wa" differently and not consistently with the first one?
There is another verse that says "li Allah yasjud ma fi al-samawat wa ma fi al-ard". The verb yasjud is in the CONTINUOUS present tense.
Clearly, one can CONTIUOUSLY hear and obey The God but not continuously physically push his head against the floor.
When someone can't do something, for example "sawm"/abstaining and "7ajj", The God gives them license. There is NEVER such license in the case of "salat", "sujud", and "ruku3". Why give license in the case of "sawm" but no license in the case of "salat"?
GOD asks us to do what we can do
La yukallifu Allahu nafsanilla wusAAaha laha ma kasabatwaAAalayha ma iktasabat rabbana latu-akhithna in naseena aw akhta/narabbana wala tahmil AAalayna isrankama hamaltahu AAala allatheena minqablina rabbana wala tuhammilnama la taqata lana bihi waoAAfuAAanna waighfir lana wairhamnaanta mawlana faonsurna AAalaalqawmi alkafireena
On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."Therefore, a person in a wheel chair will be asked to do what he/she can.
Despite the above, The God gives very specific exceptions in the case of the less important "sawm" and "7ajj". Why does He give no license for the even more important "sala"? I don't think that it is a coincidence.
Again, If you see "sujud" primary meaning as physical, it is fine, just obey The God and do your "sujud" to the chin and NOT the forehead. Othersiwe, please tell us what is your source for "sujud" being to the forehead?
According to "Qamus Muheet" one of the meanings of the root (SJD) and it's derivatives is "To tilt the head down" . The lowest point that you can tilt your head down to is "Till your chin stops" which is when the chin touches the chest. I explained this in an earlier post.
But that is not how you do your "sujud". Do you do your "sujud" by having your head fall to your chest? (i.e. like nodding "yes")
Again, you have to obey what you understand the verse is asking you to do, which is clearly not the traditional so-called "sujud".
You didn't answer my question. WHERE DID YOU GET THE SUJUD TO THE FOREHEAD FROM?
Peace on who followed the guidance,
Ayman
-
Salam Brother Ayman,
I hope that this note finds well. This will probably be my last post on the subject and therefore, I will address some of your points. Then I will present our agreements and disagreements. Then, I will present my own personal view of Salat.
There is another verse that says "li Allah yasjud ma fi al-samawat wa ma fi al-ard". The verb yasjud is in the CONTINUOUS present tense.
I agree that here, Sujud definitely means submission. I also agree that the meaning that unifies all the mentions of Sujood in the Qur'an is Submission. However, I also believe that there is physical Sujood as well that is menioned in many Ayat. This physical Sujood is not mutually exclusive of the mental/psychological Sujood. That is all.
Despite the above, The God gives very specific exceptions in the case of the less important "sawm" and "7ajj". Why does He give no license for the even more important "sala"? I don't think that it is a coincidence.
That is because, in the case of "Sawm and Hajj" GOD gives people a license not to perform them. In the case of Salat, GOD DOES NOT give a license not to perform Salat. GOD gives a license to perform Salat according to our physical abilities. This is a big difference.
But that is not how you do your "sujud". Do you do your "sujud" by having your head fall to your chest? (i.e. like nodding "yes")
This is how I undesrtand "Yakhirroon lilathkan Sujjadan" now. "Tilting head downard like a very shy/very embarrassed/somebody in presence of a much higher authority". Again, this understanding does not necessarily exclude that Sujood in other Ayat is touching your forehead on the floor.
WHERE DID YOU GET THE SUJUD TO THE FOREHEAD FROM?
This is what I understood from reading "Qamus Muheet"
Meanings for SJD and derivatives Submission, Putting something against something (as in head against a wall or ground), Tilting the head downward, bowing down. Basically it means psychological/mental submission in addition to any physical signs of Submission (whatever they are.
A Very Interesting word that I discovered is MASJAD which means FORHEAD. This word is not to be confused with MASJID which means a place where people perform Sujood. Both words share the plural MASAJID.So putting your forehead(Masjad) against the ground is consistent with Sujood so are the other movements and so does the mental/psychological Sujood.
NEXT
I think that we agree on the fact that Prayer is a personal business between the person and his/her GOD, and we agree on the importance of the psychological/mental submission.I sense that we disagree in the fact that you do not believe in the physical Sujood (please forgive me if I am assuming incorrectly). While I believe that there is physical Sujood (whatever it means to the person). Despite your very well thought points, I am not yet convinced that there is not a physical Sujood.
Last HOW I VIEW SALAT (My personal view)
1- It is a personal time between the Servant and His/her GOD. It is up to the person to optimize this contact. The language that is used should the clearest to the person that does the praying (therefore not necessarily ARABIC). I believe that GOD did not leave specific instructions on how to perform SALAT for a reason.
2- Number of SALATS The Qur'an does not give a maximuam number of SALATS. The minimum should probably be at least two. The more that you can do the better, as long as it does not take you away from your obligations to yourself, your family, and your society.
3- I believe in some physical aspect to SALAT based on my own understanding of 243, and 4102. This may include "Rukou" "bowing down" and Sujood "any sign of submission to GOD whether it is touching the forehead on the ground or any other sign is up to the person's understanding". Both movements should complement our feeling of submission to GOD. I do believe that PHYSICAL SALAT can augment our spiritual SALAT if done properly (very much like YOGA or meditation, MAY GOD forgive me for using this analogy)
At the end, THANK you brother for this stmulating discussion. I have learnt a lot through it and MAY GOD be with you.
SALAM
Hussein