My PERSONAL conclusions about salaat (contact prayer)
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Peace,
Just my personal thoughts
There is much debate about salat, there are those who see 5 salat, 3 salat,
2 salat and no phyical salat in Quran Kareem. Why so many differences? Is it
because salat in and of itself offers a unique challenge to the believers? Is it
because it is one of the things we must "DO" as believers and it cannot be satisfied
by lip service?God knows and those of intelligence understand the value of the salat. Each
person should do what is in their heart. Salat has been said to be a "gift" from God.
But if salat is a gift why would someone want less than the maximum of a gift if
offered to them? I wonder, if the performance of salat was rewarded by millions of
dollars, would someone prefer 2 over 5? Maybe it is the value that we place on the
salat, five of a good thing is better than two of a good thing, more zakat is better
than less zakat. Five opportunities to make contact with our creator, one would think,
would be preferred over 2 or 3. Who would turn down such an opportunity.God bless
Beautiful post, Thank you for writing it here!
My only answer to that is that people sometimes do things that do not benefit them, and
"1854 We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature."Peace
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Peace hawk.
Maybe it is the value that we place on the salat, five of a good thing is better than two of a good thing, more zakat is better than less zakat. Five opportunities to make contact with our creator, one would think, would be preferred over 2 or 3. Who would turn down such an opportunity.
Then why not a hundred per day? Isn't one golden moment better than a million rotten ones?
There are two recommended times for salat to be found in the quran. Apart from this everyone may uphold his salat according to a suitable schedule, even those two times don't seem to be written in stone. The important thing is to have a schedule at all. The count of salat-units per day and the exact times you do salat are not that important.
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Peace,
Just my personal thoughts
There is much debate about salat, there are those who see 5 salat, 3 salat,
2 salat and no phyical salat in Quran Kareem. Why so many differences? Is it
because salat in and of itself offers a unique challenge to the believers? Is it
because it is one of the things we must "DO" as believers and it cannot be satisfied
by lip service?God knows and those of intelligence understand the value of the salat. Each
person should do what is in their heart. Salat has been said to be a "gift" from God.
But if salat is a gift why would someone want less than the maximum of a gift if
offered to them? I wonder, if the performance of salat was rewarded by millions of
dollars, would someone prefer 2 over 5? Maybe it is the value that we place on the
salat, five of a good thing is better than two of a good thing, more zakat is better
than less zakat. Five opportunities to make contact with our creator, one would think,
would be preferred over 2 or 3. Who would turn down such an opportunity.God bless
I dont think our attitude toward God and religion shud be based on "reward" system philosophy. When we pray we do it because we want it, not with a back thought of making a bargain with a Creator. I can not understand those who are so eager about seeking "rewards". Isnt the opportunity to pray, tpo give charity - already a reward in itself? If we looking for a trade deal its value is deficient. Someome may need to pray more someone less. If sticking to Quranic text we can see rather 2+1 prayer than any other pattern. Was it by accident or God knew this model would work better for people? I think the latter is true. Peace.
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Beautiful post, Thank you for writing it here!
My only answer to that is that people sometimes do things that do not benefit them, and
"1854 We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature."Peace
Thank you GODsubmitter,
Peace hawk.
Then why not a hundred per day? Isn't one golden moment better than a million rotten ones?
Peace Timur,
I was only addressing the ongoing debate of 5,3,2 or no salat (contact prayers) per day.
Peace hawk.
exact times you do salat are not that important.
Here the Quran disagrees with you. 4/103
I dont think our attitude toward God and religion shud be based on "reward" system philosophy.
Peace Keri,
How many times does the word "reward" appear in the Quran and for what reasons?
Is not Jannah a reward for the righteous 3/136When we pray we do it because we want it,because we want it, not with a back thought of making
a bargain with a Creator. about seeking "rewards".I, like you feel a personal satisfaction before and after the contact prayers as well as offering zakat but there
are many benefits of the contact prayer one of which is obedience to our creator.You may be confusing bargain and back thought with obedience and pleasing the almighty.
God bless
peace
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Peace Hawk.
Here the Quran disagrees with you. 4/103
Does it? 4103 says, for the believers "salat" is a timed book. So this verse emphasises the importance of having a schedule but does not talk about any specific schedule that has to be the same for everyone.
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Peace All,
Prostrations from other faiths
Judaism
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3YFP5r5x-w
Orthodox Christianity
2639 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ?My Father, if it be possible, let this cup
pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.?http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFBH1Ws2VmY
Buddhist Prostrations
http//www.yowangdu.com/tibetan-buddhism/prostrations.html
Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them.
You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ
from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed,
He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has
given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny-all of you-then He will
inform you of everything you had disputed.God bless
peace
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Thank you @hawk99
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Peace all.
Why are we making " salat" so difficult.
GOD wishes no hardship imposed on us in practicing our religion. Any suggestion in mythology as to how to perform some of the details that move us in the direction of making the religion difficult, cannot be from GOD and is not approved by Him.
It is simple, intention to do your "salat" then follow Qoran
GOD says in Qoran when you observe the "salat"
- Wash your face, and we have 1 face.
- Wash your arms to the elbow, and we have 2 arms.
- Wipe your head, and we have 1 head.
- Wash your feet to the ankles, and we have 2 feet.
1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6
Before performing our 5 daily "salat", we do the above 6 actions in our ablution. This is why Almighty GOD has placed the instruction for ablution in 56. People should be able to do these actions comfortably, without any hardship. People are men, women, left-handed, right-handed, tall, short, fat, skinny, and all sort of other things. How to do the details is up to the individuals.In regard to our feet, some people might say that the Quran says we should wipe our feet to the ankles instead of washing them. GOD says that He loves those who are clean. The believers should use their own judgment, this is a test for all of us. We must not create division between ourselves dueling on this issue. Regardless of washing our feet or wiping them, GOD will not throw our "salat" to waist.
Our intention and timing must be resolute and our "salat" must be dedicated to GOD ALONE.
God bless you all.
Peace.
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Peace all.
Why are we making " salat" so difficult.
GOD wishes no hardship imposed on us in practicing our religion. Any suggestion in mythology as to how to perform some of the details that move us in the direction of making the religion difficult, cannot be from GOD and is not approved by Him.
It is simple, intention to do your "salat" then follow Qoran
GOD says in Qoran when you observe the "salat"
- Wash your face, and we have 1 face.
- Wash your arms to the elbow, and we have 2 arms.
- Wipe your head, and we have 1 head.
- Wash your feet to the ankles, and we have 2 feet.
1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6
Before performing our 5 daily "salat", we do the above 6 actions in our ablution. This is why Almighty GOD has placed the instruction for ablution in 56.Outstanding!
Thank you
God bless
peace
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Peace all.
Why are we making " salat" so difficult.
GOD wishes no hardship imposed on us in practicing our religion. Any suggestion in mythology as to how to perform some of the details that move us in the direction of making the religion difficult, cannot be from GOD and is not approved by Him.
It is simple, intention to do your "salat" then follow Qoran
GOD says in Qoran when you observe the "salat"
- Wash your face, and we have 1 face.
- Wash your arms to the elbow, and we have 2 arms.
- Wipe your head, and we have 1 head.
- Wash your feet to the ankles, and we have 2 feet.
1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6
Before performing our 5 daily "salat", we do the above 6 actions in our ablution. This is why Almighty GOD has placed the instruction for ablution in 56. People should be able to do these actions comfortably, without any hardship. People are men, women, left-handed, right-handed, tall, short, fat, skinny, and all sort of other things. How to do the details is up to the individuals.God bless you all.
Peace.
Salaam,
RED Amazing, just amazing.
May Allah forgive us pr
Bender -
Peace all.
Why are we making " salat" so difficult.
GOD wishes no hardship imposed on us in practicing our religion. Any suggestion in mythology as to how to perform some of the details that move us in the direction of making the religion difficult, cannot be from GOD and is not approved by Him.
It is simple, intention to do your "salat" then follow Qoran
GOD says in Qoran when you observe the "salat"
- Wash your face, and we have 1 face.
- Wash your arms to the elbow, and we have 2 arms.
- Wipe your head, and we have 1 head.
- Wash your feet to the ankles, and we have 2 feet.
1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6
Before performing our 5 daily "salat", we do the above 6 actions in our ablution. This is why Almighty GOD has placed the instruction for ablution in 56. People should be able to do these actions comfortably, without any hardship. People are men, women, left-handed, right-handed, tall, short, fat, skinny, and all sort of other things. How to do the details is up to the individuals.In regard to our feet, some people might say that the Quran says we should wipe our feet to the ankles instead of washing them. GOD says that He loves those who are clean. The believers should use their own judgment, this is a test for all of us. We must not create division between ourselves dueling on this issue. Regardless of washing our feet or wiping them, GOD will not throw our "salat" to waist.
Our intention and timing must be resolute and our "salat" must be dedicated to GOD ALONE.
God bless you all.
Peace.
Thank you so much @good logic!
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Peace good logic.
1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6
Before performing our 5 daily "salat", we do the above 6 actions in our ablution. This is why Almighty GOD has placed the instruction for ablution in 56.Come on, what kind of evidence is this? Have you lost your good logic?
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Peace Timur.
Thankyou for your post.
"Salat" is a personal connection/relation with your creator.
If you require evidence , ask Him. He is closer to you than your jugular vein.
God bless you.
Peace.
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The Purpose of Prayer by ?1997 Stan Tenen
The Purpose of Prayer
?1997 Stan TenenThere are several different forms or modes of prayer.
Basically, HaShem, by withdrawing and producing a "vacant space" (via "tzimtzum", gives us a portion of His Will. This is the source of our "free will."
When our ability to find a place in the world, by means of our portion of His Will, is insufficient, it is appropriate for us to return our will to His. This is prayer.
All prayers involve some level of sacrifice. The most obvious is the sacrifice of our free will to HaShem's Will in prayer. Prayer is not our getting our way based on our will. Prayer is our asking HaShem to take back a bit of our will and use it Himself, better than we could.
The daily prayers we all say require our time and attention. They are expensive in a busy world. With or without kavanah, this is a sacrifice. When we make it freely, it is accepted.
In fact, no matter at what level of intensity (kavanah), when we freely bend our will to HaShem, our prayers are always answered. Of course, when we are in a state of confusion, as is often the case when we are moved to pray most intensely, we may not be able to see the answer ? or we might not be ready to understand how the "answer" is what we were praying for ? or the response might be delayed until the timing of related events (we may also have prayed for) is appropriate.
Simple prayer comes from the heart. But, there is also intellectual prayer. In simple prayer we open our feelings to HaShem ? no thinking is required. A child's spontaneous cry can be a fervent prayer, and as such, it can open the gates of heaven because of its purity and integrity of feeling.
Most adults cannot easily express their truest and deepest feelings spontaneously, like a child. For adults, intellectual prayer can be more accessible.
What in the intellect can correspond to the emotional prayer of an innocent and whole heart? Sacrifice.
For a peasant whose experiences are pragmatic and earthy, sacrifice, might mean giving up a valued physical possession. This is done from the heart, but also from the intellect. The peasant knows what they are doing.
For a more complex person, sacrifice is more subtle. Here the sacrifice is not (only) from one's property (that would be too cheap for an accomplished person), but rather from what is most valuable to an accomplished person, their ego (or more precisely, the illusions of their ego.)
We all have limitations, weaknesses and deficiencies. We develop skills to survive difficult childhoods and a difficult adult world. Our choices and "skills" form our personality. Some of these "skills" are not desirable. They lead to increased ego and self-centeredness rather than to increased humility and empathy. When there is something so important to us that we are moved to ask HaShem to help us attain it, we can offer to make the job "easier" for HaShem (This is a metaphor, HaShem doesn't need it to be easier, only we do.) by readying ourselves to be aware of, to receive, to accept, and to make best use of HaShem's answer. We can do this by letting go of, giving up on, "sacrificing" some part of our ego or our willfulness or our expectations that are not helping us to see and feel our humanity and our place vis a vis HaShem. (For example, we can sacrifice our ignorance by working to learn more.)
When we want to change the world so badly that we cry out to HaShem, our cry may consist of our changing ourselves by releasing some previously highly-valued part of our ego or willfulness that we have previously been dependent on, that now stands in the way.
The new-agers call it "the manifesting principle" and sometimes that lets them forget that it is HaShem and not themselves that does the manifesting. But, the principle is simple
Know what you want.
Clearly and precisely understand what you want by doing the intellectual work needed to really know what you want and how much it costs (or how impossible it is.)
Sacrifice your(ego)self to the task.Put your heart and soul into your endeavor. Do real work in the physical world towards your goal. Care deeply about the work you are doing. Work (and pray) well beyond your normal point of giving up. Do the work and show your caring anyway, even if it seems that HaShem is not listening.
Return your personal will to HaShem. Give up, be infinitely patient, and pay attention.The manifesting principle only works when a person has made a real sacrifice and has continued to work even while they have let go of their expectations of the outcome they desire. When a person short-circuits the full process, nothing happens. When there has been no sacrifice, there is nothing for HaShem to respond to.
source
http//www.meru.org/praypurp.html -
A new interpretation (again ), claiming that there are only THREE Salats.
This presentation is very well analyzed, and explained with proofs, and excellently presented!
From here I congratulate this magnificent guy for his work!
Please have patience and watch all the 9 videos!
Thank you.Here is the link
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkeHHm8TnF4&list=PL5EboaxHo9UTV4yVpsKWAnn9RC4vmDTa0Peace
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Peace Godsubmiter
I fully accepted Islam only after reading the R. Khalifa?s translation of the Quran, with his Appendices.
Then I started performing the religious duties, particularly the salaat-contact of course, as instructed by same Mr. Khalifa.You make me think that you have not submitted to God, but to rashad kalifa.
3 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 10 or day and knight non stop. how many prayers?
HERE ALL ABOUT PRAYER TIMES IN QURAN2238 Maintain with care the prayers and the middle prayer and stand before Allah , devoutly obedient.
4103 And when you have finished your prayer, remember God - standing and sitting and lying down; and when you are once again secure, observe your prayers . Verily, for all believers prayer is indeed a sacred duty linked to particular times .
(7205) And bethink thyself of thy Sustainer humbly and with awe, and without raising thy voice, at morn and at evening; and do not allow thyself to be heedless.
11114 And be constant in praying at the beginning and the end of the day, as well as during the early watches of the night for, verily, good deeds drive away evil deeds this is a reminder to all who bear in mind.
1778 BE CONSTANT in prayer from the time when the sun has passed its zenith till the darkness of night, and recitation at dawn for, behold, the recitation at dawn is indeed witnessed .
1779 And rise from thy sleep and pray during part of the night , as a free offering from thee, and thy Sustainer may well raise thee to a glorious station .
1828And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever neglect.
(20130) Hence, bear with patience whatever they may say, and extol thy Sustainer's limitless glory and praise Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and extol His glory, too, during some of the hours of the night as well as during the ends of the day, so that thou might attain to happiness.
3017 EXTOL, then, God's limitless glory when you enter upon the evening hours, and when you rise at morn;
(301 and unto Him is due all praise in the heavens and on earth, in the afternoon as well, and when the hour of noon.
5039 HENCE, bear thou with patience whatever they may say, and extol thy Sustainer's limitless glory and praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting;
(5040) and in the night, too, extol His glory, and at every prayer's end.
5117 They used to rarely sleep the whole night.
(524 And so, await in patience thy Sustainer's judgment, for thou art well within Our sight. And extol thy Sustainer's limitless glory and praise whenever thou risest up,
(5249) and extol His glory at night, and at the time when the stars retreat.1 the middle prayer
2 at morn and at afternoon
3 at the beginning and the end of the day (dawn-dusk), as well as during the early watches of the night
4 when the sun has passed its zenith till the darkness of night, and recitation at dawn
5 and pray during part of the night , as a free offering from thee
6 and praise Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and extol His glory, too, during some of the hours of the night as well as during the ends of the day (dawn-dusk)
7 the evening hours, and when you rise at morn(dawn-dusk)
8 in the afternoon as well, and when the hour of noon
9 and praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and in the night, too, extol His glory, and at every prayer's end
10 and praise whenever thou risest up, and extol His glory at night, and at the time when the stars retreat.
11 the whole night1 dawn (exacting time)
2 morning (unspecified time of it)
3 noon(exacting time)
4 afternoon (unspecified time of it)
5 dusk(exacting time)
6 night (early hours of it, or all night)These are not my own words nor from any so called "prophet", all from the Quran. I seek refuge in God from being of the ignorant.
May God increase our knowledge and give us some wisdom. -
Peace Godsubmiter
You make me think that you have not submitted to God, but to rashad kalifa.
3 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 10 or day and knight non stop. how many prayers?
HERE ALL ABOUT PRAYER TIMES IN QURAN2238 Maintain with care the prayers and the middle prayer and stand before Allah , devoutly obedient.
4103 And when you have finished your prayer, remember God - standing and sitting and lying down; and when you are once again secure, observe your prayers . Verily, for all believers prayer is indeed a sacred duty linked to particular times .
(7205) And bethink thyself of thy Sustainer humbly and with awe, and without raising thy voice, at morn and at evening; and do not allow thyself to be heedless.
11114 And be constant in praying at the beginning and the end of the day, as well as during the early watches of the night for, verily, good deeds drive away evil deeds this is a reminder to all who bear in mind.
1778 BE CONSTANT in prayer from the time when the sun has passed its zenith till the darkness of night, and recitation at dawn for, behold, the recitation at dawn is indeed witnessed .
1779 And rise from thy sleep and pray during part of the night , as a free offering from thee, and thy Sustainer may well raise thee to a glorious station .
1828And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever neglect.
(20130) Hence, bear with patience whatever they may say, and extol thy Sustainer's limitless glory and praise Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and extol His glory, too, during some of the hours of the night as well as during the ends of the day, so that thou might attain to happiness.
3017 EXTOL, then, God's limitless glory when you enter upon the evening hours, and when you rise at morn;
(301 and unto Him is due all praise in the heavens and on earth, in the afternoon as well, and when the hour of noon.
5039 HENCE, bear thou with patience whatever they may say, and extol thy Sustainer's limitless glory and praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting;
(5040) and in the night, too, extol His glory, and at every prayer's end.
5117 They used to rarely sleep the whole night.
(524 And so, await in patience thy Sustainer's judgment, for thou art well within Our sight. And extol thy Sustainer's limitless glory and praise whenever thou risest up,
(5249) and extol His glory at night, and at the time when the stars retreat.1 the middle prayer
2 at morn and at afternoon
3 at the beginning and the end of the day (dawn-dusk), as well as during the early watches of the night
4 when the sun has passed its zenith till the darkness of night, and recitation at dawn
5 and pray during part of the night , as a free offering from thee
6 and praise Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and extol His glory, too, during some of the hours of the night as well as during the ends of the day (dawn-dusk)
7 the evening hours, and when you rise at morn(dawn-dusk)
8 in the afternoon as well, and when the hour of noon
9 and praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and in the night, too, extol His glory, and at every prayer's end
10 and praise whenever thou risest up, and extol His glory at night, and at the time when the stars retreat.
11 the whole night1 dawn (exacting time)
2 morning (unspecified time of it)
3 noon(exacting time)
4 afternoon (unspecified time of it)
5 dusk(exacting time)
6 night (early hours of it, or all night)These are not my own words nor from any so called "prophet", all from the Quran. I seek refuge in God from being of the ignorant.
May God increase our knowledge and give us some wisdom.Thank you for your contribution @wrkmmm.
Although you didn't write your conclusion to your post, I assume you want to say that Salat is to be performed ALL THE TIME, is that so? Then what about the wudu (ablution), which is also mentioned in the Qur'an? )And also, would you be so kind as to tell me which translation do you use?
May God protect me from submitting to anybody or anything else except Him, I do not submit to Dr Rashad Khalifa PhD, I consider him as a teacher and thru his explanations and translations I approached the Qur'an.
God bless.
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Peace,
This topic is very disputed and the ancient Arabic is difficult to interpret even for scholars. My own conclusion lands on three prayers. I try to go in very logically into deducing the number, but I might as well be wrong. I cannot in the world think that God will punish people for not being able to extract the correct meaning of The Book over 1400 years later and due to them thinking it was 3 instead of 5 prayers if that happened to be the Truth. The Faith of God is more than only these communication moments together with The Lord. Think of the deeds we have to do daily.
It is better to do three and wrong rather than five and mention other names alongside God during the prayer.
Personally I pray 4-5 times per day even if my current understanding says 3 minimum, and I call upon The Lord at any moment that I need Guidance in my daily decisions in life.
If it befits The Lord I think that honestly God would laugh if He saw all the chatter on the account of the communication with Him. Just 'do' I would say. Rule-creation is a human trait, often not God's. Call upon The Lord as often as possible and do not think there is a minimum but rather do as many as you can or need.
Personally I interpret the underlined part of this verse;
20130 So be patient to what they are saying and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and at the approach of the night - you shall glorify - and at parts of the day, perhaps you may be content.
; as that you call unto The Lord during parts of the day as you need Him for Guidance. To call unto The Lord in the morning and before bedtime is quite obvious to me. It is the first and last thing you do in each day. It ought to come spontaneously in any servant of God.
God bless you
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Thank you @Man of Faith for your contribution.
After some research I returned AGAIN to the conclusion that Dr. Rashad Khalifa was right, and I am accepting again his teachings about the Salat, because there is simply way too much confusion out there and too many doubts and misinformation all over the place from "new" scholars, "interpreters" and charlatans, who are adding to the confusion each day with their "analysis".
After almost a year of being exposed to various points of views and speculations, I re-read Dr. Khalifa's Appendices and Introduction to his translation of the Qur'an again, and for my present level of judgment I say that it is the best acceptable approach to the Qur'anic teachings that work for me.
God bless.
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I think that the Qur'an was revealed i Arabic because it was the best adapted to what God wanted to reveal. I find the Qur'an poliedric, with many faces, which all make sense when looked from a certain perspective. I do not think that God will blame us for getting each the best meaning we can extract from His words. We would be blamed for taking the worst meaning as some people seem to be doing at times, but not for getting the best. Whatever we do we should exact from ourselves the utmost honesty and sincerity. If so, there may be different understandings and each of them give us the means to travel a stretch more on our sirat al mustaqim. We just must not cheat ourselves, be utterly honest to ourselves.
Salaam