Non performers of As-Salaat are not true believers

kgwithnob

262 Surely those who believe; and those who are Jewish, and the Nazarenes, and the Sabians, whoever of them believes in God and the Last Day and does good works; they will have their recompense with their Lord, and there is no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.

Salat is extremely important, no doubt, but I believe its purpose is remembrance of Allah which leads one to the path of good works in a most righteous manner. However, if we take 262, is there any inclusion of Salat or even Zakat for ultimate salvation? Ultimately, it seems to come down to belief in one God, the Last Day, and good works. Salat, in my eyes, is not a good "deed," in that it is not directly benefiting others; it is crucial for the self. However, indirectly, it leads to benefit to others.

I don't believe in a categorical approach to believers, but a dimensional one the lack of Salat doesn't render an individual to be a nonbeliever, but on a dimensional scale, perhaps they will place on a lesser degree than a believer who prays Salat.

Highlight above is from me.

You may find the full explanation of the third part of 262, i.e. the "good works", in 2177 below.

Righteousness is not (merely) that you turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteousness is that one believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and gives wealth, despite (his) love for it, to relatives, and to orphans, the helpless, the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and (spends) in (freeing) slaves and observes the Salah (prayers) and pays Zakah___and (the act of) those who fulfill their covenant when they enter into a covenant, and, those who are patient in hardship and suffering and when in battle! Those are the ones who are truthful, and those are the God-fearing.

Peace,
Khalil

Mazhar

Except Christians and Jews nobody cares for East and West. The pronoun in the second person verb is definite referring to them. Also not taking care about the connotations added by the mood of verbs and by translating a verb as active participle can distort the perception conveyed in Ayah.

That you the Christians and Jews might turnabout your faces-selves confronting the East and the West is not the Virtue-Magnanimous Conduct.
On the contrary; the Virtue-Magnanimous Conduct is of that person Who consciously and heartily believed in Allah the Exalted and the Last Day; and the Angels; and the Book one peculiar Book, Qur'aan; and the Chosen and Elevated Allegiants of Allah the Exalted;

And he spent-donated wealth for the sake of attaining approval and appreciation of Allah the Exalted to the near relatives, and the orphans, and the destitute, and the wayfarer, and those who seek help, and to get freedom-remission for the slaves-prisoners.
And he steadfastly maintained the Institution of As-sa'laat Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and allegiance; and he paid Az-Zakaa't; financial contribution for economic uplift of society.

Note it; Such are the people who honour their pledge-commitment when they have entered into a pledge;
And they remain coolly perseverant in financial crisis and adversity; and in times of poverty/war.
They are the people who have proved their word-declaration of belief with their acts as true;
And they are the people who are truly cautious, heedful and mindful avoiding unrestrained conduct.

ansmeh1998

Brother Mazhar Salaam,

I am sorry I don't intend to sound harsh but frankly speaking due to my own ignorance or so I find your repeated exhortation - "time bound Protocol of Servitude and Allegiance" very irritating as I do not understand what you actually mean to say?

You have referred to a link of an article titled 'Be always mindful for performing As-Salaat'

Be always mindful for performing As-Salaat

wherein it is mentioned "We have listened to the people who were destined to scorching Hell-Prison that they were not seen in the company of performers of Time Bound Protocol of Servitude." My point is from where you have extracted this statement in red - I mean what is the source and who the 'We' is referred to?

May I request your good self to kindly clarify the above points for the sake of clarity of the issue in question?

May Allah(swt) bless you, me and all to keep on increasing our knowledge.

unknownuser

Highlight above is from me.

You may find the full explanation of the third part of 262, i.e. the "good works", in 2177 below.

Righteousness is not (merely) that you turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteousness is that one believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and gives wealth, despite (his) love for it, to relatives, and to orphans, the helpless, the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and (spends) in (freeing) slaves and observes the Salah (prayers) and pays Zakah___and (the act of) those who fulfill their covenant when they enter into a covenant, and, those who are patient in hardship and suffering and when in battle! Those are the ones who are truthful, and those are the God-fearing.

Peace,
Khalil

Yes, but this is where I believe in a dimensional approach to righteousness, not a categorical approach. I don't believe it is such that, in order to fulfill the requirements of "believer," you must do each and every single thing on a checklist in order to be considered a believer and, thus, granted a place in Heaven. This would go contrary to Allah's mercy and kindness, because where do we draw the line? Righteousness is colors, not black and white. There is a degree of righteousness, and those who do all these good works mark high on righteousness. It does not mean that if someone does not do one of those elements that he/she is not righteous, but perhaps he/she is less righteous, not necessarily not righteous.

Mazhar

You have referred to a link of an article titled 'Be always mindful for performing As-Salaat'
Quote from Mazhar on August 13, 2013, 025837 PM
Be always mindful for performing As-Salaat
wherein it is mentioned "We have listened to the people who were destined to scorching Hell-Prison that they were not seen in the company of performers of Time Bound Protocol of Servitude." My point is from where you have extracted this statement in red - I mean what is the source and who the 'We' is referred to?

Please see in the link the Ayahs 7442-48 wherein people residing in the Hell-Prison are explaining what caused them to be put therein.

ansmeh1998

Please see in the link the Ayahs 7442-48 wherein people residing in the Hell-Prison are explaining what caused them to be put therein.

Thanks a lot Brother Mazhar for the information.

Salaam!

ansmeh1998

Salaam,

Institution of As-sa'laat Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and allegiance

What is this all about? Whether it is about physical standing, bowing and prostration five time a day?

OR

(i) Whether it is about (a) having unflinching allegiance in the Highest Authority (b) refraining from
committing Shirk?
(ii) Whether it is about fulfillment of commitments as per divine laws - (a) Duties (b) Responsibilities /
obligations?
(iii) Whether it is about observing just balance between give and take - (a) Perseverance (b) Honesty?
(iv) Whether it is about institutionalizing just system of governance in the land of Allah -
(a) Supermacy of Rule of Law (b) Equality of opportunity to one and all?
(v) Whether it is about commemorating Allah(swt) all the time by practicing the golden rules of -
(a) Sabr (b) Shukr (c) Tawakkal (d) Attributing all the Praises and Glorification to Allah alone.
(vi) Whether is it is about observing Asceticism ? (a) Abstain from vice and sin (b) Readiness to
sacrifice the most loved things in the way of Allah.
(vii) Whether it is about (a) Self Assessment / Review (b) Purification (c) Jahad (d) Enforcement of Law
/ Following the Rasool / Being Law abiding / Adherence to State Law.
(viii) Whether it is about (a) Avoiding conflict and confrontation (b) Restoration of Peace.

Mazhar

Salam,

It is sublime demonstration of absolute surrender to the Lord of Universes. It is surrender of granted free will-the forehead placed on ground; allegiance and absolute subjection to the Supreme Sovereign. Thereby, you promise to act according to the Constitution-Ordinance promulgated by the Supreme Soverein the Grand Qur'aan.

Know the As-Salaat, one will get nearer to his Sustainer Lord.

god1quran1

Verse 1187

They said, "O Shu'ayb, does your salaat command you that we should leave what our fathers worship or not do with our wealth what we please? Indeed, you are the forbearing, the discerning!"

How can "Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and allegiance" be understood based on what is being stated in the verse above?

If Shuaib's salaat was a ritual requiring standing and reciting verses from the Quran, how could it upset the status quo being followed at the time?

From
1188 it appears salaat may be an activity related to behaviour modification of not only self but of those who have lost their way from the straight path.

He said, "O my people, have you considered if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him... ? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon him I have relied, and to Him I return.

Mazhar

Pl read

The point in time in human history when Salaat was prescribed and ordered to be institutionalized.
The point in time in human history when Salaat was prescribed and ordered to be institutionalized

As-Salaat is demonstration of allegiance and servitude showing belief in only one Sustainer Lord. This is what they referred, they wanted to continue with polytheism.

god1quran1

Pl read

The point in time in human history when Salaat was prescribed and ordered to be institutionalized.
The point in time in human history when Salaat was prescribed and ordered to be institutionalized

As-Salaat is demonstration of allegiance and servitude showing belief in only one Sustainer Lord. This is what they referred, they wanted to continue with polytheism.

Please see the underlined words. It is clear Shuaib was communicating with his people and was involved in the process of reformation. This reformation process was required, since the people of Madyan had suffered moral degradation.

The conversation between Shuaib and his people was not restricted to polythiesm according to the verses below.

In traditional salaat you are to perform a set of physical actions and not supposed to communicate with another human being. If I am amongst a community in moral decline, they will not have any issue if I am performing a ritual as long as it does not affect them. But in 1187, it is clear the leaders are upset with Shuaib because his Salaat actions are interfering with how the community of Madyan live their lives. Think about it!

According to 1184

And to Madyan their brother Shu'ayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allah ; you have no deity other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale. Indeed, I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day.

785-86
And to Madyan their brother Shu'ayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allah ; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers.

"And do not stand on every path, robbing, and turning away from the path of God those who believe in Him, and you seek to make it crooked. And remember that you were few and He multiplied you; and see how is the retribution of the corrupters."

2936
And to Madyan their brother Shu'ayb, and he said, "O my people, worship Allah and expect the Last Day and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."

hawk99

Peace god1quran1,

Yes salat is a behavioral modification practice to be performed at specific times.

Sahih International And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
11/1

God bless

peace

Mazhar

Peace god1quran1,

I hope it is known as to what is the importance and priorities set by structuring of compound sentences. Everything flows after first is accepted. They are not accepting the first, thereby, the second they also wish to determine their selbes about it.

ansmeh1998

@Mazhar, Salaam!

So you say, "Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and allegiance" essentially means physical standing bowing and prostration while uttering some Quranic as well as non-Quranic verses / stuff (which you do not call ritual by the way) five time a day - (i) Fazr i.e. Morning prayer (ii) Zuhr i.e. Noon Prayer (iii) Asr i.e. Afternoon Prayer (iv) Maghrib i.e. Evening Prayer (v) Isa i.e. Night Prayer. Kindly clarify clearly so as to have a grasp on this issue. I hope your good self will clearly define the understanding of "Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and allegiance" meant as Salat by you. Thanks a lot.

hawk99

The prohibition not to perform As-sa'laat is when a man is not in the state of self-awareness lacking conscious understanding of his verbal expressions-language. It is thus abundantly evident that is NOT a ritual. According to dictionary ritual is defined as an established and prescribed pattern of observance, performance of formal acts the observance of actions or procedures in a set, ordered, and ceremonial way; system of rites the system of set procedures and actions of a group. But a perception of monotony and routine has also become associated to it when this is referred for a religious activity. Ritual is usually the concern and domain of Non-Declarative Memory which can be performed without being consciously aware of happenings.

Peace,

Mazhar, your definition of ritual is correct except " Ritual is usually the concern
and domain of Non-Declarative Memory which can be performed without being consciously
aware of happenings". you and others here are confusing ritual with rote

rote
/rt/

noun

noun rote

mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned.

"a poem learned by rote in childhood"

synonyms mechanically, automatically, unthinkingly, mindlessly;

God bless

peace

Mazhar

Peace,

Mazhar, your definition of ritual is correct except " Ritual is usually the concern
and domain of Non-Declarative Memory which can be performed without being consciously
aware of happenings". you and others here are confusing ritual with rote

rote
/rt/

noun

noun rote

mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned.

"a poem learned by rote in childhood"

synonyms mechanically, automatically, unthinkingly, mindlessly;

God bless

peace

Thanks for pointing out the delicacies of ritual and rote. However, you perhaps missed the qualifying word "usually". A ritual does become rote for majority of people and the concern of non-declarative memory-things done as habit not necessarily involving conscious brain like in driving and parade of soldiers etc.

established formal behavior an established and prescribed pattern of observance, e.g. in a religion
performance of formal acts the observance of actions or procedures in a set, ordered, and ceremonial way (often used before a noun)
a ritual dance
system of rites the system of set procedures and actions of a group
Orthodox ritual
unchanging pattern a pattern of actions or words followed regularly and precisely (informal)
the weekend car-washing ritual
biology set form of communication a set sequence of actions that an animal uses to communicate information or to reinforce social cohesion
mating rituals
psychology repetitive behavior an inflexible, stylized, and often repetitive sequence of actions, e.g. repeated hand-washing, that may indicate an obsession

Mazhar

@Mazhar, Salaam!

So you say, "Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and allegiance" essentially means physical standing bowing and prostration while uttering some Quranic as well as non-Quranic verses / stuff (which you do not call ritual by the way) five time a day - (i) Fazr i.e. Morning prayer (ii) Zuhr i.e. Noon Prayer (iii) Asr i.e. Afternoon Prayer (iv) Maghrib i.e. Evening Prayer (v) Isa i.e. Night Prayer. Kindly clarify clearly so as to have a grasp on this issue. I hope your good self will clearly define the understanding of "Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and allegiance" meant as Salat by you. Thanks a lot.

Salam,

Pl find time to go through it; for convenience it is sub divided in eight topics

Time Bound Protocol of Servitude and Allegiance The Key of the door of success

hawk99

Peace Mazhar,

I did not miss your qualifier "usually" as you are the one defending As-salat, which I
commend you for doing so, but others who attack As-salat as being a ritual. Yes
as-Salat is ritual, but rituals can be a good and even an excellent behavior

Studying Quran every day
Washing the hands when leaving the bathroom
Cleaning one's environment regularly
Going to work same time everyday
Performing salat on time (one has to remember or be reminded to remember God)
which is an excellent habit
Checking in on family at intervals
Hajj
Teaching children good habits

Nature is filled with rituals

Seasons change
The sun rises and sets
Phases of the moon
Animal mating rituals
Animal migration
Solar cycles............ just to name a few

God bless

peace

god1quran1

Peace Mazhar,

I think you have completely missed the main point. If as-salaat is concerned with standing and observing "time bound protocol of allegiance and servitude" how does it involve Shuaib communicating with the Madyan people about setting up partners with God? Why would a ritual performed by shuaib upset the leaders of Madyan? Unless of course it is more than a ritual.

The later verses I quoted are very clear that Shuaib has not confined himself to some physical set of actions but is actually an activist who is dedicating his time and resources to reform the Madyan people. If Shuaib were performing a as-salaat as a ritual, there would be no reason for the leaders of Madyan to threaten him with stoning.

Peace god1quran1,
I hope it is known as to what is the importance and priorities set by structuring of compound sentences. Everything flows after first is accepted. They are not accepting the first, thereby, the second they also wish to determine their selbes about it.

The compound sentences are providing details of Shuaib's salaat.

god1quran1

Peace god1quran1,

Yes salat is a behavioral modification practice to be performed at specific times.

Peace Hawk,

You only need to the whole muslim world to see how that is working out for them. Sorry but I just could not help being a little sarcastic. )

Sahih International And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
11/1

God bless

peace

I can accept your understanding as long as by 'establishing prayer' you mean studying and reflecting on Quran verses and not engage in performing a set of physical actions that goes against the Quranic principles of using ones mind and intellect to get closer to God.