For Those of You Who Do Not Consider Salat "Prayer"
-
Peace be upon you,
4102 And if you were in them, so you started for them the process, so a group from them should maintain with you, and they should take their weapons/arms, so if they prostrated(heard and obeyed the call to maintain the process), so they be from behind you, and another group should come (that) they did not "meditate", so they meditate with you, and they should take their caution, and their weapons/arms; those who rejected, wished if you ignore/neglect your weapons/arms, and your belongings/effects/goods, so they lean on you one bend, and no offense/guilt (is) on you if mild harm was with you from rain or you were sick/diseased, that you lay your weapons/arms, and take your caution, surely The God prepared to the rejectors a degrading/humiliating torture.
Regarding your question, first let me say that I do not see "salaat" as obligations or commitments. I see it as describing the PROCESS(salaat) of Meditation, which is how we gain our conditionings/habits knowingly or unknowingly. Therefore we must GUARD this process.
Du'a is the word for prayer, so "salaat" is not prayer.
4102 is talking about times where you may be in danger where half of the group meditates while the other half wathces out for them becuase when meditating, you are going within, you cannot pay attention to what is going on around you.
-
Thanks for responding, Idolfree.
Do to arabic study and transliteration, I too do not regard salat as ritual prayer. However, I am unsure on whether or not Salat is a process that is exclusive to meditation-although I do try to incorporate meditation into my daily life currently.
I'm researching the "commitment" theory and I have not come across anyone who upholds this definition use it in the context of 4102. It was mentioned by someone in Wakas thread, but it seemed to be overlooked....
-
Peace be upon you Salikah,
Yes, commitments does not fit the context of salaat, which also is used mostly in the singular context, so it would be commitment(singular).
-
Those who view 'salat' as commitment probably never been 'practicing muslims' in the first place even before they discovered the quran-alone belief. If we look at the stories in the bible the prophets did prostrate physically when they faced God and they too took ablution beforehand. (Im not saying we should believe in the bible but only to compare). Im sorry if my opinion sounds like a prejudice. wink
-
A slight modification of RK's translation...
4102 When you are with them, and stand for the obligation, let some of them stand guard; let them hold their weapons, and let them stand behind you as you are vulnerable. Then, let the other group that has not yet fulfilled their obligation take their turn with you, while the other group stands guard with their weapons. Those who disbelieved wish to see you neglect your weapons and your equipment, in order to attack you once and for all. You commit no error, if you are hampered by rain or injury, by putting down your weapons, so long as you remain alert. The God has prepared for the disbelievers a shameful retribution.
4103 Once you complete your obligation, you shall remember the God while standing, sitting, or lying down. Once hostilities are over, you shall establish the obligation; the obligation is decreed for the believers at agreed times.
There was obviously an obligation to stand with the prophet to hear him say things to them.
The "sujood" here is not physical prostration but means that the people are humble at that time; they are concentrating on the message and thereby vulnerable so must be guarded.
Regards.
-
would still mean 'sumit' or 'submission'. It wouldn't signify a physical movement because according to my very limited understanding it can't be the traditional definition of 'salat' which is being discussed. According to clues given by Aidid Safar if you consider the context developed by 4101 this activity is being performed with the unbelievers. Hence the steps taken for personal safety of the Prophet.
