New article: The meanings of Salat as stated by The Quran

Taro_Hiroshi

The meanings of Salat as stated by The Quran
by Taro Hiroshi

In this article I will attempt to explore the different meanings of the word Salat as stated by the Quran. Most muslims believe that the word Salat only has one meaning in the Quran; Ritual prayer. But contrary to popular belief, the word Salat does not only mean one thing. There are actually several verses in the Quran that suggests that the word Salat has more than one meaning.

Quran 2945 Recite what is inspired to you of the book, and hold the Salat; for the Salat prohibits evil and vice, and the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do.

As we know, many traditional muslims claim that they practice Salat the right way, yet at the same time they do evil deeds. Many traditional muslims perform Salat 5 times a day, yet at the same time they do evil deeds. They hit their wives, they cut off the hands of thieves, they kill apostates, they stone women to death, and they do other evil deeds as well. If they are practicing Salat the right way, then why are they doing such evil deeds? Could it be possible that they are practicing Salat the wrong way?

According to verse 2945 above, those who practice Salat the right way will be protected from doing evil and vice. In other words, they will be conscious of what is right/good in such a high degree that doing evil and vice will simply be out of question. When Salat is practiced the right way, it is so powerful that it will elevate a man or woman above evil and vice. But can we honestly say that all traditional muslims who are practicing Salat 5 times a day are protected from doing evil and vice? Is a traditional muslim who prays 5 times a day, yet at the same hits his wife, protected from doing evil and vice? Is not he actually doing an evil act? Is not hitting one's wife an evil act? How can this act be anything but evil?

Quran 2945 Recite what is inspired to you of the book, and hold the Salat; for the Salat prohibits evil and vice, and the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do.

In verse 2945 above, the word Salat is regarded as something important which all muslims must uphold. But at the bottom of the verse, it says that the remembrance of God is the greatest. In other words, remembering God is more important than upholding Salat. Unfortunately, it seems that many muslims are more concerned with practicing Salat than coming closer to God. Before they have learned to remember (be conscious of) God, they are trying to become World Champions in everything else. This is just like trying to run before you can walk. Many muslims pray 5 times a day, but they don't seem to remember God. They seem to have forgotten God. It seems that they are not conscious of God's existence.

Quran 1071-7 Have you seen him who is denying the system? It is the one who mistreats the orphan, and does not encourage the feeding of the poor. So woe to those who offer Salat, who are totally heedless of their Salat. They only want to be seen. They refuse aid.

In the above mentioned verses, the act of Salat is linked to helping others. In other words, the act of helping others is a part of Salat. Is it possible to help other people by practicing Ritual prayer? If the only meaning of Salat is Ritual prayer, would it not then be impossible to help other people through performing this act? Can we feed other people by practicing Ritual prayer? If a muslim prays 5 times a day, will this act automatically make his hungry neighbour become full?

Quran 2441 Do you not see that everything in the heavens and the earth, even the birds in formation, glorifies God? Each knows its Salat and its glorification. God is fully aware of everything they do.

According to verse 2441 above, everything in the heavens and the earth (all creatures) and even the birds, knows their Salat. In other words they know how to practice their Salat. If Salat means Ritual prayer in verse 2441 above, does this imply that all birds and all creatures in the universe practice Ritual prayer? If we take the word Salat to mean Ritual prayer in verse 2441 above, then the answer to this question is a BIG YES. But have you ever seen a bird or another type of creature practice Ritual prayer? Have you ever seen a bird or another type of creature pray 5 times a day? If, however, the word Salat does not mean Ritual prayer in verse 2441 above, then this means that the word Salat must mean something else in the above mentioned verse. If the word Salat means something else in the above mentioned verse, then this means that the word Salat, contrary to popular belief, has more than one meaning.

Quran 95 So when the restricted months have passed, then you may kill those who have set up partners wherever you find them, take them, surround them, and stand against them at every point. If they repent, hold the Salat, and contribute towards betterment, then you shall leave them alone. God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

According to verse 95 above, the messenger and the believers should not attack the polytheists (those who have set up partners) if they repent, hold the Salat and contribute towards betterment. If Salat means Ritual prayer in verse 95 above, then this means that the polytheists must begin to practice Ritual Prayer if they want to make peace with the believers. Does this sound reasonable? Does this sound just? Is there compulsion in Islam? Can the believers compel the polytheists to practice Ritual prayer? Can the believers demand that the polytheists must practice Ritual prayer if they want to remain safe from their attacks? What is the Quranic view on this issue?

Quran 2256 There is no compulsion in the religion; the proper way has been made clear from the wrong way. Whoever rejects the transgressors, and acknowledges God, has grasped the firm branch that will never break. God is Hearer, Knower.

According to verse 2256 above, there is no compulsion in the religion. In other words, there is no compulsion in Islam. Hence Islam supports "freedom of religion." Therefore the believers can not compel the polytheists to practice Ritual prayer. If the believers compel the polytheists to practice Ritual prayer, then this would be against "freedom of religion." Because verse 2256 in the Quran, states that there is no compulsion in the religion. In other words, polytheists can not be compelled to practice Ritual prayer or other types of rituals that most muslims do. The polytheists have their own religion/lifestyle/ideology. They do not need to practice Islamic Rituals. Because there is no compulsion in Islam.

Quran 1187 They said, "O Shuayb, does your Salat order you that we leave what our fathers served, or that we do not do with our money as we please? You are the compassionate, the sane!

According to verse 1187 above, the people of Shuayb feared that his Salat would prevent them from doing what they like with their money. If the meaning of the word Salat is Ritual prayer in verse 1187 above, then how can it prevent people from doing what they like with their money? Will Ritual prayer prevent people from doing what they like with their money? Will the act of praying 5 times a day stop people from doing what they like with their money? Our logic tells us that it is possible to pray five times a day while at the same time use our money in a wrong way by gambling, or by investing it in buying and selling alcohol or by investing it in unjust and corrupt projects. Could it be possible that the word Salat does not mean Ritual prayer in verse 1187 above? Could it be possible that the word Salat has a different meaning than Ritual prayer in verse 1187 above? Could it be possible that praying 5 times a day has nothing to do with the word Salat in verse 1187 above? If Salat means Ritual prayer in verse 1187 above, how can it prevent people from doing what they like with their money? Can the act of praying 5 times a day prevent people from doing what they like with their money? If people pray five times a day, will their money automatically be locked into a magical box on Mars, so that they can not get their hands on their money and thus can not do what they like with it?

As mentioned earlier, most muslims believe that the word Salat only has one meaning; Ritual prayer. Unfortunately, the concept of Salat has been reduced to only mean one thing; Ritual Prayer. There is no doubt that the word Salat has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, misused and misunderstood throughout the history of Islam. The verses about Salat in the quran, reveal to us that the word Salat has more than one meaning; it is a COMPREHENSIVE CONCEPT. To limit the word Salat to only mean Ritual prayer, is to turn a blind eye to several Quranic verses about Salat. To limit the word Salat to only mean Ritual prayer, is like saying that the human body only consists of a head. But as we know, the human body consists of more than just a head. The human body consists of a head, two arms, two legs, one torso and other things as well. To say that the human body only consists of a head is to look at it from a narrow, limited and UNREALISTIC PERSPECTIVE.

It might be possible that one meaning of the word Salat is Ritual prayer. But it is not possible that the only meaning of the word Salat is Ritual prayer. Because several verses in the quran prove without a shadow of doubt that the word Salat has more than one meaning. The evidence we have seen in several Quranic verses, reveals that the word Salat does not only mean one thing; Ritual prayer. Thus, the word Salat has more than meaning. And this fact is as clear as DAYLIGHT. After all the evidence we have seen in several verses of the Quran, can we honestly deny this UNDISPUTABLE FACT?

Timur

Peace.

It is possible that "salat" has only one meaning but such a single meaning can never be "ritual prayer". This is what you have shown.

si_di

Quran 2441 Do you not see that everything in the heavens and the earth, even the birds in formation, glorifies God? Each knows its Salat and its glorification. God is fully aware of everything they do.

We have to ponder about..."even the birds in Formation..."it is amazing how thousands of birds are flying in coordination without disturbing eachother,seems like the individual is disolving into one big beeing.So does"salat"maybe mean connecting with this one big beeing "God".

How gonna we do that?

Wakas

peace all,

Please pay close attention to 2945 when it says "...the salat forbids/prevents from the immorality and evil deeds..."

Ponder over forbids or prevents?

You may wish to see this thread.

huruf

It could be either, depending on where one is in connection with the fahisha.

Salaam

Man_of_Faith

Peace si di,

By becoming one with God perhaps?

Have faith

Taro_Hiroshi

Peace Timur, all,

In my view the word Salat means different things according to the different contexts in which it is used in the Quran. That being said, I agree that the word Salat can mean one thing (since the root of this word has a basic meaning).

si_di

Salamman of faith,

Birds in a swarm communicat with each other,every single bird is looking whats his neighbour doing,so the individual behaviour is disolved.
To put this on humans is more difficult,because the birds are pure beiings and they trust their neighbour by starting the fly.

We don?t even know if the time we pray is correct or the way we pray.

Enjoy this Video https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakKfY5aHmY

Taro_Hiroshi

Peace everyone,

For those of you who like to read articles on PDF format, I have shared a link to the article about Salat, so that you can download it if you wish.

The meanings of Salat as stated by the Quran
https//www.dropbox.com/s/1asmtv0kfbbd3jb/The%20meanings%20of%20Salat%20as%20stated%20by%20The%20Quran.pdf

Armanaziz

Salamun Alaikum.

Thank you Taro for sharing your thoughts on salaat with us. I share similar sentiment with you. Earlier I have posted my thoughts on salaat on different threads. However, since this is a dedicated thread for this purpose, I humbly offer a compiled post below.

Brother Mazhar posted a very well researched summary on the literal meaning of the term ?salaat? here
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9605447.msg354068#msg354068

My personal research on the meaning of the term ?salaat? also found similar results. And as a point of clarification ? I do believe for basic word meanings we need to refer back to linguists / lexicons / dictionaries which study usage of words by the primary users of the language.

So, what Mazhar is explaining as ?to praise and magnify; express commendation, or wish blessings upon the one who is revered?? I like to put in short as ?invocation of respect and loyalty.? For me the key term is ?respect?. Although this English term does not cover the full meaning of salaat? if we have to choose 1 word as the closest approximation ? this is probably the word. In oriental language there is a term raddh (, shraddhaa) ? which would probably have a better fit.

It is in that meaning the angels and the believers invoke salaat on the Prophet ? i.e. they invoke respect for the Prophet. We have been told in Qur?an that those who are patient have salaat of their Master upon them ? I believe this means their Master invokes respect upon them. Qur?an also says that even birds know their salaat? I believe this means even birds invoke respect for their creator by acting upon the genetically coded behavior programmed into them by their Master.

So, per my understanding aquimus-salaat refers to establishment of respect and loyalty for the Master of the universe in our life. This can only be achieved by being grateful to our Creator, through a commitment of embracing whatever we understand as good and rejecting whatever we understand as evil. Our intellect and conscience are genetically coded within us by our Master ? so we establish respect for our Master by upholding these.

Note that establishing ?respect? for ones creator is not some exclusive concept of one religion or scripture ? this is the basic requirement in any religion. Even non religious people who believe in ?non-personal? God / super spirit acknowledge the importance of respect for the spirit of the universe. It is because of our respect for our Master that we cannot accept suicide as a legitimate act - it is because of "establishing respect" for our Creator we honor our parents (because they are gifts from our Master) - it is because of "establishing respect" for our Creator that we strive to do good and avoid the evil (because that is how our Master has created us to act). In fact per my humble understanding the entire system of human ethics and morality stems from "establishing respect" (aakimus salaat) for the One who gave us the gift of life - the Master of the universe. And that's why salaat is such a centerpiece in our deen.

This meaning of the term gets its perspective if we look at the first verse of Qur?an which uses this term

22 That is the book - no doubt in it ? a guidance for the conscious (al-muttaqueen).

23 Those who believe in the unobservable (al-ghaib) and establish salaat and out of what We provided them ? they spend.

(My personal translation, cross-checking is recommended.)

So the first action of a muttaqui is he (/she) believes in the unobservable. And what is the logical next step after believing? Establishing respect for the supreme unobservable authority in which he believed ? and then this respect needs to be reflected in his action ? he should spend ONLY from what the authority has provided him (i.e. strive for legitimate sources of income).. and SHOULD spend for purposes that confirm their respect for the Master (i.e. for the benefit of fellow creatures).

So, per my understanding the oft repeated command of "aakimus salaat? implies establishing respect for our Creator - the Master of the universe ? and making such respect actionable through our lifestyle. If we look at Surah Fatiha ? the first surah of Qur?an ? it has in it, in a nutshell, the entire concept of aaquimus salaat ?establishing respect? ? it starts with praise of God then recognition of His supremecy then follows up offer of unconditional service wrapped up with a prayer to guide to the straight path. It can be inferred that a person who upholds the Surah Fatiha in its true spirit is indeed establishing respect for the Master of the universe ? in his life.

Now once this meaning is clearly understood we can proceed to the following verses which add more color to the term

2124 And as Abraham was tested by His Master with (certain) words - then he completed them, He said, ?Indeed, I am assigning you a leader for mankind?, he said, ?? and from my offspring?? He said, ?My covenant does not attain the wrongdoers.?

2125 And as We assign the house (as) a place of refuge for mankind and (of) security; and take from standpoint of Abraham (Maqam-i-Ibrahim) a salaat-ritual (musallat); and We made a covenant with Abraham and Ishmael to cleanse My house for the circumambulators and the (devotedly) secluded ones and those who bow down and prostrate.

(My personal translation, cross-checking is recommended.)

Note that I am taking slightly refined understanding of two terms here ? for me ?Maqam-i-Ibrahim? does not refer to a piece of stone, rather it refers to ?Standpoint of Abraham? implying the ?point of view of Abraham? (similar to Maqam of Noah ? as point of view of Noah ? referred later in Qur?an). Also, by ?musallat? I do not understand a ?salaat-place?, rather as ?salaat-ritual?. This understanding is also not whimsical ? it is supported by lexicons.

So, what I take from this verse is that Abraham (pbh) fulfilled certain commandments of Allah ? so Allah designated him as a leader of mankind. From his point of view, we can approach the Master of the universe as a personal God and we can express our respect for Him through rituals like bowing down and prostrating. And in Qur?an through this verses Allah is endorsing such rituals as a legitimate form of expression of ?respect? or Salaat.

Thus the ritual salaat (musallat) is the ritual we perform as a formal expression of our respect and loyalty for Allah. On this ritual aspect Allah is flexible - if we are under stress we should remember Allah in whatever mode we are in, then when we are secured we should remember Allah in the prescribed method (Ref 2238-239). We can strictly guard on salaat (223 even being flexible on the ritual aspect (2239). On the other hand failing to establish respect for Allah through our action while being mechanically particular about the ritual of salaat is only a mockery of the salaat directive (Ref 1071-7).

In Qur?an in a few cases when the term ?salaat? is used in connection to a practicing follower of Abrahamic millat (e.g. Zechariah), or in a specific time-bound reference, based on the demand of the context the term ?salaat? incorporates in it those rituals ? just like the term ?salute? incorporates in it the connotation of raising one?s hand to one?s forehead whenever it is used in connection to a military unit; although as a general term ?salute? may or may not always involve that action.

Use of ritual as a means of formal expression of respect is not unique to religion only.. for example, when people play national anthem they stand in silence to show respect. This is a form of invocation of respect and loyalty for one?s country. Arguably anyone can be respectful and loyal to a country without standing still during national anthem ? but still that is a prescribed ritual which everyone tends to accept and practice. True loyalty to one?s country involves loyalty in the heart as well as loyalty to the form (national anthem, flag etc.).

I humbly believe that a conscious person (muttaqui) would know that to establish salaat (respect and loyalty to the Master of the Universe) one does not necessarily need to adhere to a particular ritual, but at the same time he would be respectful to ?salat ritual? (more specifically musallat) that has been prescribed to him through generally accepted practice ? just like a true patriot is always respectful to the flag and anthem. The analogy of salaat ritual to salaat (as respect) is like that of wearing a white apron and being a doctor. We all understand that being a doctor is so much more than wearing a white apron ? but if a hospital authority calls up a doctor and says we need you to act as a doctor tonight ? the context demands that it means the doctor appear at the hospital tonight wearing a white apron.

Before I end this long post on salaat ? I should clarify one more point. I do not believe practicing any specific form or frequency of salaat ritual is absolutely essential for being a muslim. A person who moves away from rituals BUT still establishes respect for his Master through his action - is just like a doctor without an apron ? still a doctor, just a little difficult to recognize. On the other hand I have full respect for those who practice salaat rituals in whatever form or frequency. As long as they do so sincerely with the exclusive goal of expressing respect for One and Only Master of the universe ? I believe they are following the Abrahamic tradition. I do consider looking for a rigid frequency and form of salaat ritual in Qur?an through data mining is a futile exercise, because Qur?an loosely endorses the salaat practice ? which is a tradition of our forefathers ? it does not mandate it. Excessive fanaticism about fixed form and frequency of salaat is rather problematic as it creates ?we? vs. ?they? mind-set and thereby fuels sectarian attitude and even more importantly it often takes our attention away from the true essence of salaat ? which is establishing respect for our Master in our life-style.

May Allah guide us all to the straight route.

hafeez_kazi

Peace all

Before coming to any conclusion the following verses need pondering

O Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in an uncultivable valley near Your Sacred House, Lord, so that THEY might establish the prayer. So, make people's hearts incline towards THEM and provide THEM with fruits so that THEY may be grateful 1437

If the aim/reason of settling of the sons was to establish the SALAT (Ritual Prayer) then Abraham should have settled at that place where he was residing before coming to the alleged Mecca. Why he came to an isolated place which was not inhabited by human beings?

(They are) those who, if We CONSOLIDATE them (MAKE THEM STRONGER) in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs. 2241

Do you think that to pray, to give zakat, you need to be CONSOLIDATED? Are all Muslims CONSOLIDATED? Do they not do all these things without being CONSOLIDATED?

But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil Except those who repent and BELIEVE, and work righteousness for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least,- 1960

Those who neglect prayer and follow SHAHAWAAT become DISBELIEVERS? They need to become BELIEVERS, REPENT and do RIGHTEOUS DEEDS to enter the GARDEN.

And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden , except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty 2568

Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated 2569

Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful 2570

All those who commit Zina, INVOKE WITH ALLAH other deity kill an innocent without justice, and THOSE WHO NEGLECT PRAYERS and follow SHAHAWAAT are DISBELIEVERS and need to become BELIEVERS to enter the GARDEN.

IF the NEGLECT OF RITUAL PRAYERS RENDERS US UNBELIEVERS then I believe there will be few countable believers in the world.

ZINA. INVOKING ALLAH WITH ANOTHER DEITY, MURDER, NEGLECTING PRAYER and follow SHAHAWAT are clubbed together by ALLAH, why?