SALAT - Multiple Meaning

herbman

Salam, this is an open document for my search regarding SALAT.
Please feel free to comment/argue/correct.

In the Great Reading we can find different type of SALI

salat of ALLAH on humans 3343
salat of "Angels" on humans 3343
salat of Allah and angels on the rassoul 3356 (&#1614
etc.. in general this type of SALA/YUSALI (infinitive) is translate by "sending benedictions"

#Conclusion 1
We can already conclude in v 3343, 3356 SALA/YUSALI does not mean ritual prayer ruku3+ sujud!!!!!!!

Then we have also

salat of the birds 2441
salat of Chuaib 1187
salat of kufars 835

#Conclusion 2
In verses 2441, 1187, 835 SALAT does not mean ritual "prayer" = ruku' + sujud

In Arabic TO PRAY verb is DA3AA which we can find in verse 2186 or 338 for example.
2186
When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way.
In 2186 the word name DA3WATA is used for PRAYER
Or in 338 both are used the verb and the name.
There did Zakariya pray to his Lord saying "O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure; for Thou art He that heareth prayer!"

So what SALA/YUSALI and derived name SALAT mean?

In the dictionary for root SAD-Lam-WAW

to pray
to bless
to follow closely
For full definition please check http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm, or see copy in annexe below.
Follow closely.......mhh let's check the english definition of it.
I found different meanings easy to understand for anyone, because we use it the same way as described!

In Cambridge definition Go, happen, obey, have interest in, be result, understand, read, follow media
In Oxford definition

Go or come after, strive after , aim at, Go along, Trace the movement or direction of,
Come after in time or order, Happen after, Be a logical consequence of something, do something after,
Act according to, Conform to, Act according to the lead or example of (someone),
Pay close attention to, Take an active interest in or be a supporter of, (of a book, film, programme, etc.) be concerned with or trace the development of, Track (a person, group, or organization), Understand the meaning or tendency of

So what the verses will look like with these meanings

3343
He it is Who "Trace the movement or direction" on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers.

3356
Allah and His angels, "Pay close attention to" the Prophet O ye that believe! " Pay close attention to " him and salute him, with all respect.

2441
Do you not see that everything in the heavens and the earth "come swiftly to Allah"? Even the birds in formation, each knows its "direction to follow and swift path (to Allah)". And Allah is fully aware of everything they do.

835
Their "Acts (according to)" at the House (of Allah) is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands (its only answer can be) "Taste ye the penalty because ye blasphemed."

1187
They said "Oh Shuayb! Is it "what you are following" commands you that we leave off the worship which our fathers practised or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? Truly, thou art the one that forbeareth with faults and is right-minded!"

1778
Stay firm in "following the teaching" at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning reading cause the morning reading carry their testimony.
1778 is cristal clear "following the teaching" of what is Reading!

#Conclusion 3
SALA/YUSALI and derived name SALAT can have multiple meaning as verb DARABA or any other word frequently used.
Each meaning depends on its context.
But the general meaning is "to follow closely" while "sending benedictions" is too vague!
Other definitions like "to pray" or "ritual prayer" has no foundation in the Great Reading (AL Quran) even if verses like 4102 and 4103 are taken to argue for salat = "ritual prayer" while personnaly I see in these verses the obligation for the mumineen to "read" and "follow the teaching" of the Book!

ANNEX - Definitions
And please check definition number 3, the example is really amazing when I think about it; I found it as is in the Cambridge dictionary!!!

Cambrige Definition

follow verb (GO)
to move behind someone or something and go where he, she, or it goes
A dog followed us home.
to go in the same direction as a road, path, etc.
Follow the road for two miles, then turn left.
follow suit
to do the same thing as someone else
When one airline reduces its prices, the rest soon follow suit.
follow verb (HAPPEN)
to happen or come after something
We were not prepared for the events that followed (= happened next).
The book was delivered yesterday with a note saying the bill for it would follow in a day or two.
The meal consisted of spinach salad, followed by roast chicken (= with this as the next part).
She published a book of poems and followed it (up) with (= next produced) a novel.
as follows
The winners are as follows - Woods, Smith, and Cassidy.
follow verb (OBEY)
to obey or to act as ordered by someone
Follow the instructions on the back of the packet carefully.
I decided to follow her advice and go to bed early.
Muslims follow the teachings of the Koran.
follow verb (HAVE INTEREST IN)
to have a great interest in something or watch something closely
He follows most sports avidly.
They followed her academic progress closely.
follow verb (BE RESULT)
to happen as a result, or to be a likely result
Just because I agreed last time, it doesn't necessarily follow that I will again.
follow verb (UNDERSTAND)
I'm sorry, I don't quite follow (you).
His lecture was complicated and difficult to follow.
follow verb (READ)
to read the notes or words of a piece of music or writing at the same time as they are being played or said
follow verb (SOCIAL MEDIA)
If you follow a particular person on a social media website (= a website where people can publish their thoughts, photographs, information about themselves etc.), you choose to see everything that person posts (= publishes) on the website.

Source http//dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/follow

Oxford Definition

Go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind.
?she went back into the house, and Ben followed her?
no object ?the men followed in another car?
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.1 Go after (someone) in order to observe or monitor them.
?the KGB man followed her everywhere?
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.2archaic Strive after; aim at.
?I follow fame?
1.3 Go along (a route or path).
Example sentences
1.4 (of a route or path) go in the same direction as or parallel to (another)
?the road follows the track of the railway line?
More example sentences
1.5 Trace the movement or direction of.
?she followed his gaze, peering into the gloom?

2 Come after in time or order.
?the six years that followed his restoration?
no object ?the rates are as follows?
More example sentences
2.1 Happen after (something else) as a consequence.
?raucous laughter followed the ribald remark?
?the announcement followed on from the collapse of the merchant bank?
no object ?retribution soon followed?
More example sentencesSynonyms
2.2no object Be a logical consequence of something.
?it thus follows from this equation that the value must be negative?
More example sentences
2.3with object and adverbial (of a person) do something after (something else)
?they follow their March show with four UK dates next month?
More example sentences
2.4 Have (a dish or course) after another or others during a meal.
?turkey was followed by dessert?

3Act according to (an instruction or precept)
?he has difficulty in following written instructions?
More example sentencesSynonyms
3.1 Conform to.
?the film faithfully follows Shakespeare's plot?
More example sentencesSynonyms
3.2 Act according to the lead or example of (someone)
?he follows Aristotle in believing this?
More example sentencesSynonyms
3.3 Treat as a teacher or guide.
?those who seek to follow Jesus Christ?

4 Pay close attention to.
?I've been following this discussion closely?
More example sentences
4.1 Take an active interest in or be a supporter of.
?supporters who have followed the club through thick and thin?
More example sentencesSynonyms
4.2 (of a book, film, programme, etc.) be concerned with or trace the development of.
?the book follows the life and career of Henry Clay?
More example sentences
4.3 Track (a person, group, or organization) by subscribing to their account on a social media website or application.
?if you've been following me on Facebook recently you may have seen a bunch of different posts about surgery and back trouble?
?I don't follow many celebrities on Twitter any more?
More example sentences
4.4 Understand the meaning or tendency of (a speaker or argument)
?I still don't follow you?

5 Practise (a trade or profession).
Synonyms
5.1 Undertake or carry out (a course of action or study)
?she followed a strict diet?

First let's take the definition
Source PRL http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm
= Sad-Lam-Waw = prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnify, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached.
In a horse race when the second horse follows the first one so closely that its head always overlaps the first horse?s body that horse is called AL-MUSSALLI (i.e. the one who follows closely / remains attached).
Central portion of the back, portion from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump.
musalla (&#1610 n. m. - 2125
salat (&#1577 n. f. sing. - 23, 243, 245, 283, 2110, 2153, 2177, 2238, 2277, 443, 477, 4101, 4102, 4103, 4103, 4103, 4142, 4162, 56, 512, 555, 558, 591, 5106, 672, 692, 6162, 7170, 83, 835, 95, 911, 918, 954, 971, 9103, 1087, 1187, 11114, 1322, 1431, 1437, 1440, 1778, 17110, 1931, 1955, 1959, 2014, 20132, 2173, 2235, 2241, 2278, 232, 2437, 2441, 2456, 2458, 2458, 273, 2945, 2945, 3031, 314, 3117, 3333, 3518, 3529, 4238, 5813, 629, 6210, 7023, 7034, 7320, 985, 1075
salawat (&#1578 nom. gen. n. plu. - 2157, 2238, 999, 2240, 239
salla (&#1610 vb.II m.
perf. act. 7531, 8715, 9610
impf. act. 339, plu. neg. 4102, plu. 4102, tusalli (&#1604 neg. 984, yusallee (&#1610 sing. 3343, yusalloona (&#1606 plu. 3356
salli (&#1604 impv. 9103, salloo (&#1575 plu. 3356, 1082
musalleena (&#1606 pcple. act. plu. acc. gen. 7022, 7443, 1074
LL, V4, p 444, 445 ## http//ejtaal.net/aa/#q=SLW

Aladin

There is "salat" for humans to humans, the most common one mentioned. We should cause to be close to each other.

Opposing to that is "shirk", separation. Shirk can be in separating from Guidance and ones on it, or it can be separating Allah's Names/Attributes from Him.

Nonetheless

Salam, this is an open document for my search regarding SALAT.
Please feel free to comment/argue/correct.
...........

Peace,

Note my view, Salat = basically commitment
https//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9609411.0

Given so many variations of the derivatives of S-L-W it is not possible to find one standard meaning for it.

Analogy
Take graphite, carbon, pencil lead, coal, diamonds and similar minerals which are very distinct in their forms but their common denominator is they are all Pure Carbon at the atomic level.

It is the same for the different derivatives of S-L-W.
Their common denominator at the literal atomic level is "commitment' to flow with Allah's deen and the cause of Allah. Humans do it differently, bird and another animals do it within their assigned ways.

In addition different humans do it differently in accordance to their circumstances and conditions. Thus there is fixed pattern or precise exact time one need to do salat .

In the case where it involves a contract, one has to be committed to fulfil one's obligation of the terms of the contract agreed upon.
A Muslim is technically one who has entered into a contract with Allah upon agreed terms in the Quran only.

Another question is how critical is Salat in its various forms towards being a Muslim. If one miss some forms it will one be punished for it?

huruf

Thanks herbman for the work on this question.

Myself I have come to the conclusion thhat salaa is communion. It is when you commune with God and His creation. You may do it in manyf orms, spontaneously, planned, but it is the communion, the entering into a state where you feel the unity of everything, or the unity of something. You may commune with God, or you may commune with your environement. The ideal would be total communion.

Salaam

herbman

There is "salat" for humans to humans, the most common one mentioned. We should cause to be close to each other.

Opposing to that is "shirk", separation. Shirk can be in separating from Guidance and ones on it, or it can be separating Allah's Names/Attributes from Him.

Salam,

You have an interesting point but I am still not sure if it is totally accurate I mean you oppose SALAT vs SHIRK!
"Having people to be close to each other" is I think a consequence of SALAT but it is not SALAT.

Peace,

Herbman

herbman

Peace,

Note my view, Salat = basically commitment
https//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9609411.0

Given so many variations of the derivatives of S-L-W it is not possible to find one standard meaning for it.

Analogy
Take graphite, carbon, pencil lead, coal, diamonds and similar minerals which are very distinct in their forms but their common denominator is they are all Pure Carbon at the atomic level.

It is the same for the different derivatives of S-L-W.
Their common denominator at the literal atomic level is "commitment' to flow with Allah's deen and the cause of Allah. Humans do it differently, bird and another animals do it within their assigned ways.

In addition different humans do it differently in accordance to their circumstances and conditions. Thus there is fixed pattern or precise exact time one need to do salat .

In the case where it involves a contract, one has to be committed to fulfil one's obligation of the terms of the contract agreed upon.
A Muslim is technically one who has entered into a contract with Allah upon agreed terms in the Quran only.

Another question is how critical is Salat in its various forms towards being a Muslim. If one miss some forms it will one be punished for it?

Sala, Peace,

I agree mainly with you, yes "commitment" fit very well sometime and also "to follow closely" could be sometime a synonyme of "commitment".

Here are some synonyms of "To follow"= obey, observe, comply with, adhere to
see https//www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/follow

Now there are some points I don't agree with you

For me you still mix SALAH (or SALAT) = PRAYER

First of; to be a Muslim one must enter into an explicit or implicit spiritual contract with Allah.
The first condition of Muslims is they must 3budu Allah and no other. By default each party to the contract must fulfill their agreed obligations, thus the "commitment" to comply with the terms of the contract as stipulated in the Quran.
Salat represent the various different forms a Muslim can express his commitment in accordance to the best of his/her ability within the terms of the contract.
Allah also had promised He will fulfill his commitment.
The polytheists are also involved in the concept of 'commitment' or bond/oath with Muslims as Wakas called his re 95, 911.
One form of expression of a Muslim's commitment to his contract is prayers, regular or otherwise. Such prayers can be accompanied by prostrations, bowing or other forms of external expressions as long as they do not conflict with the major and other sins stipulated in the Quran.
One sub-category of Salah as implied is nasaka i.e. acts of devotion.
As such while 90% of the terms re salah used in the Quran are equal to 'commitment';
commitment is not equal to 'salah' .
There are other expressions of the forms of commitment, e.g. be righteous, etc. etc. and comply to all terms of the contract.
The main condition here is whatever the prayers to be done, they are not obligatory in fixed patterns, rituals in fixed time of the day.

Peace

Nonetheless

Thanks herbman for the work on this question.

Myself I have come to the conclusion thhat salaa is communion. It is when you commune with God and His creation. You may do it in manyf orms, spontaneously, planned, but it is the communion, the entering into a state where you feel the unity of everything, or the unity of something. You may commune with God, or you may commune with your environement. The ideal would be total communion.

Salaam

Peace,

"Communion" seems like a very good term but it does not cover the greater extent and consistency the root S-L-W is used in the Quran.

Note this point in the thread I raised;

• 3. Salat represent the various different forms a Muslim can express his commitment in accordance to the best of his/her ability within the terms of the contract.
Allah also had promised He will fulfill his commitment.
The polytheists are also involved in the concept of 'commitment' or bond/oath with Muslims as Wakas called his re 95, 911.

•

Nonetheless

Now there are some points I don't agree with you

For me you still mix SALAH (or SALAT) = PRAYER

Peace

Peace,

Salah/Salat is fundamentally "commitment" as the substance, but the form of this commitment can be through prayers , except such prayers do not have to conform to fixed patterns and precise fixed time as imposed by the Ahadith mongers.

herbman

Thanks herbman for the work on this question.

Myself I have come to the conclusion thhat salaa is communion. It is when you commune with God and His creation. You may do it in manyf orms, spontaneously, planned, but it is the communion, the entering into a state where you feel the unity of everything, or the unity of something. You may commune with God, or you may commune with your environement. The ideal would be total communion.

Salaam

Salam,

you are welcome.

I think "Communion" is also a consequence of SALAH and is a kind of "meditation", this "meditation" is described in the Quran as "dhikr" which is also sometime mis-translated as "to pray".

see for example 3191

Sahih International Who remember (=dhikr) Allah while standing or sitting or on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, , "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You ; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

But this "DHIKR" is after you made "SALAT" as you can see in verse 4103.

Peace

herbman

Peace,

Salah/Salat is fundamentally "commitment" as the substance, but the form of this commitment can be through prayers , except such prayers do not have to conform to fixed patterns and precise fixed time as imposed by the Ahadith mongers.

Then you will have a problem with verse 4103!!!!

Wakas

peace herbman,

Did you cover the finite/timed/"physical" salat verses in your analysis?

Reference.

Nonetheless

Then you will have a problem with verse 4103!!!!

Peace,

As I had mentioned 'precise fixed time'
I would not interpret mawqtan to be something like this;
http//www.khaleejtimes.com/prayer-time-uae

Generally one can have salat = commitment as a state 24 hours a day or during waking hours.
Special expression of commitment like prayers should be make with some degree of consistency, i.e. fixed regular periods of the day, not fixed time to the nearest seconds or minutes.

In any case, I have always question how critical is salat in terms of prayers and its weightage towards being a 'successful' Muslim. Will Allah punish one who missed some regular prayers or not at the right time in term of minutes.

herbman

peace herbman,

Did you cover the finite/timed/"physical" salat verses in your analysis?

Reference.

Salam Wakas,

4103

Sahih International And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.

As we can see in 4103 SALAT is an obligation for the mumineen at specific time, this refers to and I quote myself

1778
Stay firm in "following the teaching" at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning reading cause the morning reading carry their testimony.
1778 is cristal clear "following the teaching" of what is Reading!

Regards,

Herbman

herbman

Salam Wakas,

4103

Sahih International And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.

As we can see in 4103 SALAT is an obligation for the mumineen at specific time, this refers to and I quote myself
Regards,

Herbman

sorry replace "prayer" by "salat" this is the original traduction which I don't agree with.

And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish the SALAT. Indeed, SALAThas been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.

herbman

Peace,

As I had mentioned 'precise fixed time'
I would not interpret mawqtan to be something like this;
http//www.khaleejtimes.com/prayer-time-uae

Generally one can have salat = commitment as a state 24 hours a day or during waking hours.
Special expression of commitment like prayers should be make with some degree of consistency, i.e. fixed regular periods of the day, not fixed time to the nearest seconds or minutes.

In any case, I have always question how critical is salat in terms of prayers and its weightage towards being a 'successful' Muslim. Will Allah punish one who missed some regular prayers or not at the right time in term of minutes.

again you mix SALAT with "PRAYER".

I agree with you regarding
fixed regular periods of the day, not fixed time to the nearest seconds or minutes.

Peace,

Herbman

Wakas

1778
Stay firm in "following the teaching" at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning reading cause the morning reading carry their testimony.
1778 is cristal clear "following the teaching" of what is Reading!

Are you implying a reading session is done at certain times?

herbman

Are you implying a reading session is done at certain times?

For the mumineen yes.

Aladin

Salam,

You have an interesting point but I am still not sure if it is totally accurate I mean you oppose SALAT vs SHIRK!
"Having people to be close to each other" is I think a consequence of SALAT but it is not SALAT.

Peace,

Herbman

Try to see if shirk is not "association (of partners)" and check if it can be "separation", people from Huden and those who're following it, or separation in Allah's Names/Attributes from Him. I'm sure you'll find it interesting if you find time to check each ayet.

We were born together in same reality and Allah wants us to be together. Es-Salat is a tool for that.

People are taking ayets about salat out of context mostly, but we should always see what about are ayets prior and next to one(s) with salat (or any other topic we're researching).

Nonetheless

Peace,

again you mix SALAT with "PRAYER".

Are you saying 'salat' do not involve 'prayers' at all?

I understand 'salat' = 'commitment' as the main set which include the subsets of prayers , communion, various forms of worshiping, glorification, praising, meditation, etc. which will contribute to remembrance and 3budu .

One point is salat = 'commitment' and encompasses prayers does not mean prayers are obligatory. Any one who believe in meditation, contemplation of Allah's name, greatness, etc. can do so.

The ultimate basis and what matters is how one's external acts influence the relevant spiritual parts in the brain.
So it is wrong if one prays and thereafter immediately goes on the street to demonstrate and commit violence. In this case the wrong part of the brain is triggered and thus the resulting violence.