New article: The meanings of Salat as stated by The Quran
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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
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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 -
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#msg354068My 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.
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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?
More verses to ponder will be posted.
Thanks.
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ZINA. INVOKING ALLAH WITH ANOTHER DEITY, MURDER, NEGLECTING PRAYER and follow SHAHAWAT are clubbed together by ALLAH, why?
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Dear hafeez kazi,
These are the things one had to avoid because "salat and zakah" are mentioned together you need to be pure(zakah)and the acts above are the opposite of giving/getting zakah.
Thanks aramanaziz for your additional view of salat.Respect and ?to praise and magnify; express commendation, or wish blessings upon the one who is revered?
When i watched the swarm of birds,i realized that the keyword is trust
If one bird doesn?t trust the other it would cause a massive accident with dead birds so they Switch off their "thinking" and trust their neighbour and the whole swarm trust the creator.
We need to learn to switch of our thinking and to connect with our swarm.I wanted to share this view of mine with you wa salam
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Peace all
Salat/Council
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Pronunciation /kans(əl , -sl/
NOUN1An advisory, deliberative, or administrative body of people formally constituted and meeting regularly
an official human rights council
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1.1A body of people elected to manage the affairs of a city, county, or other municipal district
a ban on school buses using the road was imposed by the county council -
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Definition of counsellor in English
counsellor
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Pronunciation /kans(əl /
(US counselor)
NOUN1A person trained to give guidance on personal or psychological problems
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1.1 A person who gives advice on a specified subject
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3 (also counselor-at-law) US & Irish A barrister.
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4North American A supervisor at a children?s summer camp.
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OriginMiddle English (in the general sense 'adviser' from Old French conseiller, from Latin consiliarius, and Old French conseillour, from Latin consiliator, both from consilium 'consultation or advice'.
Usage
The words counsellor and councillor are often confused. A counsellor is a person who gives advice or counsel, especially on personal problems ( a marriage counsellor), whereas a councillor is a member of a city, county, or other council ( she stood as a Labour candidate for city councillor).
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I like that, and you seem to like that word very much based on your posts! Welcome back to the forum!
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Recently, when researching on the meaning of Salaat I came across an article that holds similar view. It said salaat can also mean taking oath. The writer used 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.
I tried to look for the article again to post it here. I should have bookmarked it. Its not coming in GSR.
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So who here is teaching people to not pray in the usual method practiced for the last thousand years or so?
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raises hand
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raises hand
haha made me laugh! Ok we have one! Who else? Anyone?
The song playing now is "Don't Falter"
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this one ?
http//mypercept.co.uk/articles/disproved_traditional_salat.htmI have to give credit to "the author of the article" you have linked to in your post. Because one part of the article about Salat, in the first post in this thread, was inspired by the article you have linked to.
Here is the part that was inspired by the article you have linked to in your post
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?
I have learned many things about "true islam (monotheism)" from Layth, Ayman, Edip, Wakas, Arnold, Pazuzu, Tanveer, TheQuranAloneRevolution, Uq, Timur, Truthseeker11 and other members in this forum. You have all been my teachers in my journey to find the truth. Your explanations of the teachings of the Quran has been invaluable. And I am indebted to you for inspiring me with your dedication and hard work for this community.
Your efforts are appreciated.
May the God reward you all.
Peace and best regards,
Taro.
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The quote contains a misunderstanding about "the associators". These aren't arab pagans but trinitarian christians. As such; 95 is not enforcing idolators to do something that is uncommon for them. It's very normal for christians to pray.
See http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9607726.0
@Taro, be careful which teachers you follow, some of them (imho the majority of those you listed) have misconceptions about Quran.
