Clean in my mind and heart
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I believe in a Contact Prayer - as far as I can tell its supposed to be individual although I also stand bow and prostrate without rakats. The timings - it really depends how you interpret these verses. It could mean when you are compelled to prayer, to connect and contact for thanks, for praise or for fajr and isha which could also be the start and end of your actual day. There are also metaphorical interpretations of salat-ul-fajr and salat-ul-Isha.
Can you explain what metaphorical interpretations are?
and WOW you pray without the rakaats, that is very very different from what i have learned.
How does a person have to interpret these verses ( i think i asked this question already ;D )
I would say you don't need to physically bow and prostate since in your own mind and soul you are submitted and reverent towards Allah swt.
Doesnt that contradict some verses?
For some reason, I really enjoy answering your questions Member of Islam. Feel free to send more my way either here or by PM, if you wish. )
Hahaha and i am really eager to ask a million questions with al this confusion in my head ;D
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I want to get to know Him personal as wel in general. You are right, i will definitely read more in the Quran to understand Him. Is the Quran easy to read? When i Read something sometimes i just dont understand. Is there a way of reading it?
I think the Quran is easy to read in terms of understanding the main principle or 'cornerstones'. Such as knowing the behaviours to follow and what to avoid, also because its a reminder it becomes more self evident almost, remain humble, seek help with patience, constantly turn to Allah. What have you found difficult to understand? Do you mean the Quran in general or verses? I would say read it prayerfully, and with a real intent to know the interpretation and the guidance that Allah swt will bestow through logic, through reason and even through intuitive understanding. This may sound unusual, but sometimes I just open the Quran up and start reading it after a prayer, for example. I just go with the flow.
I thank you very much for this advise. This is very sweet and i hope Allah gives you a lot of blessings for this
Thank you - I actually find your questions sweet, it seems like you are really searching for answers and want to know and understand your Rabb. I pray Allah swt protects and bless you too.
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Can you explain what metaphorical interpretations are?
and WOW you pray without the rakaats, that is very very different from what i have learned.
How does a person have to interpret these verses ( i think i asked this question already ;D )
The metaphorical interpretations could vary but one is fajr - is a metaphor for when light comes in, when we receive blessings, whatever we have been asking for and we humble ourselves in prayer. Isha - is a metaphor for the darkest time, when we really need help and we seek that help from our Lord.
I'm not sure what you mean by how does a person have to interpret these verses - you mean about salat or the timings of salat? I may have already explained, I'm not sure.
Doesnt that contradict some verses?
Which verses would you say it contradicts? There could be people who cannot physically bow or prostrate but Allah swt knows their love for Him and their devotion. Prostration really is about your intent, so when you prostrate on the floor, it doesn't matter about the position, what matters is your intent when you go into that position.
Hahaha and i am really eager to ask a million questions with al this confusion in my head ;D
I guess I get a positive vibe from you. Just when I felt a little tired of this some of the discussion on this forum... I hope this help in some way and you can get to know Allah and understand Him as you truly wish to.
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I think the Quran is easy to read in terms of understanding the main principle or 'cornerstones'. Such as knowing the behaviours to follow and what to avoid, also because its a reminder it becomes more self evident almost, remain humble, seek help with patience, constantly turn to Allah. What have you found difficult to understand? Do you mean the Quran in general or verses? I would say read it prayerfully, and with a real intent to know the interpretation and the guidance that Allah swt will bestow through logic, through reason and even through intuitive understanding. This may sound unusual, but sometimes I just open the Quran up and start reading it after a prayer, for example. I just go with the flow.
I mean with the interpretations, that everyone can make their own rule on some matters as the hijab and so on, because not everyone has the same translation of the Quran or not everyone understands a certain verse in same way. I am trying to explain i hope you understand.
So if i read a verse (aya) i think what does Allah swt want to say with this specific verse and is it ok to use a verse alone or do you have to include the previous and the next or maybe the whole surah to understand the meaning?
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The metaphorical interpretations could vary but one is fajr - is a metaphor for when light comes in, when we receive blessings, whatever we have been asking for and we humble ourselves in prayer. Isha - is a metaphor for the darkest time, when we really need help and we seek that help from our Lord.
So if we dont have to take things literally, but rather metaphorically then you have thousands different ideas sometimes, which one do i use?
I'm not sure what you mean by how does a person have to interpret these verses - you mean about salat or the timings of salat? I may have already explained, I'm not sure.
Well, you already answered a part of it
I would say read it prayerfully, and with a real intent to know the interpretation and the guidance that Allah swt will bestow through logic, through reason and even through intuitive understanding. This may sound unusual, but sometimes I just open the Quran up and start reading it after a prayer, for example. I just go with the flow.
Which verses would you say it contradicts? There could be people who cannot physically bow or prostrate but Allah swt knows their love for Him and their devotion. Prostration really is about your intent, so when you prostrate on the floor, it doesn't matter about the position, what matters is your intent when you go into that position.
Very true but then we speak about metaphores again, look at this verse
2 125We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
Doesnt this say that we have to bow and prostrate? or am i understanding this wrong?
I guess I get a positive vibe from you. Just when I felt a little tired of this some of the discussion on this forum... I hope this help in some way and you can get to know Allah and understand Him as you truly wish to.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I dont really have anyone to talk to about these things
THANK YOU bravo
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I mean with the interpretations, that everyone can make their own rule on some matters as the hijab and so on, because not everyone has the same translation of the Quran or not everyone understands a certain verse in same way. I am trying to explain i hope you understand.
So if i read a verse (aya) i think what does Allah swt want to say with this specific verse and is it ok to use a verse alone or do you have to include the previous and the next or maybe the whole surah to understand the meaning?
I think I understand what you mean... in terms of the hijab, its straightforward that there isn't a verse that says wear the hijab, just like that. So isn't that in itself interesting? I don't think the verses can be interpreted to mean wear a covering on your head.
This is where our relationship with Allah swt comes in. Allah swt says guidance is upon Him. Allah swt mentions His guidance a lot, in different ways. Why would the Quran explain that? So I believe, no matter what translation we have, we can all be guided to the central principles and come to understand the 'finer details'. There will be some variation in our understanding - is this part of the challenge of the Quran? There are verses that mention follow the best of what has been sent down to you. I think it goes without saying, if there are any unethical interpretations or applications that some people want to use - as with any book, any idea etc - that we leave that, because the Quran is a Reminder. Sometimes we need to understand the verses better, but sometimes there are unethical interpretations such as beat your wives. That does not fit the rest of the Quran logically and that goes against our own sense of what following Allah swt truly means.
In this way, the way we approach the Quran can be a large part of our journey and personal development. When reading and understanding it, one must be patient - the structure is very unconventional, and this is a book for all mankind. But the structure remains even though mankind can apparently struggle with it at first or for a while. (and even though there have apparently been these 'edits'. and even though the Quran is a recitation that can just start going off into variations at any point with reciters who don't have a firm grasp of Arabic, but it remains)
In terms of our personal journey, it contains things that at first glance appear to be ambiguous. But when you look at the context of the verses and the whole messages of the Quran, its not as ambiguous as it first appeared. You can use some verses alone, but it depends what you want to say. Does that verse back up the whole theme that has been built up in the Quran such as no hostility or physical aggression if there has been no physical aggression etc against you, don't start the violence, even with words of aggression we are supposed to remain peaceful etc. Sometimes people use verses out of context that once put back into context do not fit the way they were using the verse. This can be related to whether people are trying to understand the Quran or perhaps some are using it like they would use any other book or idea.
Context will often be necessary - unless you're describing a general theme and the verse alone is a good example of that theme. Context can be the surrounding verses, the chapter or the whole book. It really depends on the theme in question. Some people want to justify division with those outside of Quran only - such as taking them as 'friends'. But when you look at the Quran and its advice, you could easily be treating them as a 'friend', and with regards to the whole message its referring to allying yourself with those who take hostility towards you and some further things. In fact, the Quran warns us to be careful with labels - some outside of the Quran only label may be living with some Islamic principles and its possible that if they care about Islam they may search more for the truth and turn towards Allah swt and then there are some who say the right thing but they don't really believe because of their corrupt actions or general behaviour or other things. edit I don't think this means we should treat people with suspicious but its just awareness that there are all sorts of different people in all groups, including Quran only etc. Allah swt knows best.
I hope this helps and that I didn't ramble, I was trying to explain some of these points further because I thought they could do with a bit more explanation.
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So if we dont have to take things literally, but rather metaphorically then you have thousands different ideas sometimes, which one do i use?
Which one do you think makes most sense? Or which ones fits the whole message of the Quran best? In terms of salat, look at the different verses what do you think fit best and is it possible that two interpretations can be used at the same time, for example with regards to the timing of salat? You could if you want. Maybe you can just pick one and Allah swt knows your intention and its about whether you will follow through with whatever you believe on salat for example.
Very true but then we speak about metaphores again, look at this verse
2 125We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
Doesnt this say that we have to bow and prostrate? or am i understanding this wrong?
While I think bowing and prostrating can be a nice approach/method in prayer, I think there is more to it. that verse can be taken as those who will bow and prostrate to Allah swt in terms of His designs, His guidance. Those who hold him in awe so that's why the Quran also says that everything in the heavens and earth prostrates to Allah swt - 1315, 1649 as a couple of examples of how the rest of creation prostrates and submits to God's designs. Those who accept essentially, can be one way of putting it.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I dont really have anyone to talk to about these things
THANK YOU bravo
Aww, you are very welcome. I'm so glad and I am more than happy to talk to you about these things and answer your questions according to what I know. Of course, you will always need to verify things yourself as I am sure you know.
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peace,
can someone explain what this means exactly. i find this very interesting
What I meant was that the many bad/unjust things happening around the world can weigh us down emotionally/spiritually when one may wish to feel the opposite, i.e. transcend this life, feel at peace etc.
BUT my thoughts were that these things may have a connection, i.e. by doing good in the world, lessening the bad/unjust things going on, one can feel not so heavy/burdened, i.e. uplift themselves.Put simply, one (bad/unjust things) is related to the other (uplifting/transcending/being at peace).
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Salaam,
You must remove the image of a grumpy old man with beard when you try to fathom who God really is. I suggest that you ought to read my latest post in my thread "Nearness and Guidance -> Knowledge and Wisdom = Peace and Prosperity". God is far from a grumpy old man who wants to prescribe 1000 (I think it was according to hadith) prayers per day. We must part from that image, it belongs to those who are ignorant about God.
Instead imagine that you stand in front of the most Gracious, Merciful man ever met and that He will guide you as long as you follow Him and work righteousness, ie. being a muslim working for peacemaking within your own soul for betterment.
I hope what I said somewhat helps you
God bless you
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Peace,
I think the biggest problem to get past is the doubt about whether God exists or not. If you become momeen and become absolutely certain then it becomes a lot easier.
Most of us may have to work hard before God actively shows Himself through signs which are clear enough not to be missed. When you begin "to walk along the beach with the Lord" then you will not have the slightest doubt about God's existence. And you will particularly feel more Peace and Prosperity since God walks along with you.
God bless you
still waiting for this to happen
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We all or many of us have felt that way at some time. We suffer because we are powerless inthe face of it. As against that you should do, of course what is in your power and for the rest trust God and ask him to take care of those you cannot help. He can and He will. You have to trust. You have to trust that everything in His hands will be squared, that those who suffer will be requitted as least pproportionnately. That their reward will be bigger for having undergone such trials. That, as God says, nobody will regret anything. You have to trust, brother or sister and not be impatient. For you it may be a big dispairing mess. For God it is nothign. God can right everything and make good everything.
Help along, pray along, and trust. He knows. He knows how you feel, just ask Him and trust Him. God wants that we ask him for things.
Salaam
i think i believe 90% that the only reason for prayer is fellowship with God. It seems as if the odds of prayers being answered are low due to all the constraints and criteria that the prayer has to meet before even being eligible to be answered--if that makes sense-. i 90% believe that God does not intervene in our lives although he hears and sees everything. But I guess theres no way to know for sure. Thats just how I feel
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Peace everyone,
In terms of God and when we pray what we think of in terms of God, I don't know if this helps anyone who feels a little lost or confused, but I don't envision anything. I just know my Creator's attributes and remember the name of God and the many titles that the Creator has. I find this very relaxing actually. It all fits together for me. We don't have to envision or struggle to see God, God is beyond our imagination. But we can know and understand God, see the many Signs in nature that God's attributes are found in and we understand all this for our relationship with Him. I think the point in the Quran where it says our Creator is very close to us - that's important, Allah is part of our life in a way we can't fully comprehend. Also that God is intimately involved in the creation all around us. God isn't creation, but the Creator that sustains all that is, but the whole nearness of God - that's very important I believe.
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and WOW you pray without the rakaats, that is very very different from what i have learned.
There is no word "raka'at", but if you found it, I may send you some money to you.
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There is no word "raka'at", but if you found it, I may send you some money to you. D
Sorry I mean there is no word "raka'at" in the Quran
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Peace Tigress,
You have to work harder and God will show signs of His presence in your life. If you had been in my shoes I could have showed you, but unfortunately that it not possible. But deciding to have doubt and not doing like Fox Mulder in X-files and tell yourself "I want to believe" then it will be a lot harder for you.
God will not show Himself right away, you have to gain His favor, gaining His Nearness and Guidance.
I understand how silly it feels talking to someone who does not seem to respond, like a monolog, but He does hear and will subtly show you that he reponded to your various needs or wishes stated in the prayer if you have Faith in that God truly listened and that He actually is there.
God bless you
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Peace everyone,
I agree with Man of Faith, it will become clearer when you continue seeking guidance and act out of faith by doing good. One thing I'd say is that there are many things that are Unseen that we know we depend upon, that is required for life to exist. People before us did not know some of these unseen processes and with science we have discovered some of them. There could be some unseen processes that we may never know or see or hear about even through science because it is on a scale we perhaps don't know about. If there is a God - do we really expect to see/hear Him? Or do we understand that we will know Him through His Signs and that step by step we will come to understand what we need to for our relationship with our Creator?
