Should prayer be performed together or individually?
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Peace All,
I don't know if this issue has already been dealt with. I am currently trying to decide how to perform prayer when you are not alone if a) prayer is not performed in a ritualistic manner and b) if prayer is to be performed audibly.
My problem is, how can we all make our individual requests to God if we are praying audibly together. Surely then, in these circumstances the prayer needs to be a ritual or alternatively performed on our own as individuals?Dawn.
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Shalom,
there is no specific order on that. However, if one decides to pray together (if you take your Salat as prayer). However, the example given to us in the Qur'an for doing it together
And if you are with them and you hold the contact prayer for them, then let a group from among them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them be behind you; and let a group who has not yet made the contact prayer come and make the contact prayer with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution.
So, if I would want to do it together, one has to lead in order to solve the issue you discussed. You hold it for others as the leader. However, since its not emergency situation as in this ayaat, you need not end it in one unit, that is, just after they prostrated.
I hope that explains it.
PEACE
------------------ Student of Allah -
Peace peace
I think it Salat Can be done both ways!
Example of solitary ZakariYAH Praying alone 339
Example of Gregarious Mohammed Praying as the leader 4102Also as a counter-comment on the Student of Allah, I think that Prostration is the Last Position of Salat (possibly signifying submission to God). I think what it means by 'you can shorted your salat, is shortening the duration of the salat, and not the amount of bowings/prostrations (i.e we only need to stand, as in zakariYAH's example 339, bow 555, and lastely prostrate 4102, all the while praying in a moderate tone 17111)
Hope that helps peace