Language to use during Salat?
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I would say to speak your salat in your own language that you understand.
Consider 443 and the admonition not to do salat if intoxicated, so that you will know what you are saying. That same principle applies to your language. If you are saying salat in a language you do not understand then you essentially do not know what you are saying. Even if you were to use Arabic, your brain is still translating the words in your head into your own language so skip the middle man and say it in your native tongue.
God understands anything we think or say and He knows our hearts. What's important is not the language but the sincerity and your reverence. IMO.
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Peace,
But then isn't the issue translation? Which ones do I use? Does it matter as long as the meaning is the same? For instance take this line
"Al-Hamdu l"Allah alazee lam yatakhez waladan, wa lam yakun lahu shareek fee al mulk, wa lam yakun lahu waleyon min al zol"
Could be translated as Praise be to God who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship, nor does He need an ally out of weakness
But then I look at another site and I get Praise to Allah , who has not taken a son and has had no partner in dominion and has no protector out of weakness
Now, obviously the general meaning is the same but the wording is very different. But does this not matter? Is it simply semantics?
When I speak in arabic, like you said I am translating what I'm say so in that sense I do understand what I'm saying, so would it be better to say the arabic as that is exactly what Allah wanted to say?
Thank you for your answer as well.
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And had We made it a non-Arabic Quran, they would have said "If only its verses were made clear!" Non-Arabic or Arabic, say "For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, there is a deafness in their ears, and they are blind to it. These will be called from a place far away" (4144)
It is like you said, brother, you translating it anyways in your head and it is still a guide and a healing.
Let me ask you this, what purpose would it serve to say it in Arabic?
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Let me ask you this, what purpose would it serve to say it in Arabic?
This is something that has gone in my mind alot. I use to ask this to my mother when I was younger and got a stern "because you must! it is the language Muhammed spoke (pbuh)" and I was like say what? Isa didn't speak arabic, Moses didn't speak arabic, Abraham didn't speak arabic, so why does it matter that Muhammed spoke arabic? (peace be upon them all). She never really answered that one. hmm
But I guess you're right brother, soon I will be taking on these 3 times a day Salats. I have to admit at the moment I feel a bit lost in it all. It's like having a cage unlocked for the first time in your living memory and been told to sit however you like after sitting a certain way the whole time in the cage. It's hard to comprehend the different ways you can sit. Same with Salat, now I'm free from the shackles of the Hadiths, there is so much freedom, I sometimes marvel at the freedom allowed in Salats.
Thank you very much. group
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You are welcome Sister (didn't notice before) and all thanks to God.
Indeed once the eyes are opened to some new understanding it can be exciting and at the same time a little "scary". Like you are unsure of those first steps to take but thats just it, the first stride is always the longest.
God willing you always have a clear mind and a sincere soul and always be guided to learn more and be open to the truth. It's a long road and there is always something new to learn and a different view to consider but that is all good!
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I'm sorry Brother, mid-way during our discussion I added details like gender to my forum profile so it's probably why you missed it. &
Anyway, this is true. The next step though will be explaining to my parents why I'm doing 3 salats instead of 5, speaking english and doing various positions at random times. But Allah will hopefully guide me and I'll be okay, thankful my parents are understanding and liberal, allowing me to find my own path even if they disagree with it. peace
Anyone elses opinions on this topic are welcome! ;D
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Peace be with yuo as well and welcome!
Please read
Why language is irrelevant!
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9603266.0 -
The reason I was given by Submitters (who believe Rashid Khalifa was a messenger of God) for saying the Al Fateha part of the contact prayers in Arabic, is that Al Fateha forms part of the code 19 (the lips touch 19 times if Al Fatehah is pronounced correctly), secondly the requirement to say Al Fatehah in Arabic was confirmed during the messengership of Rashid Khalifa and third, the reference to the words "The Key(Al Fatehah)" that it unlocks the "communication channel" and establishes a specific connection with the Almighty at particular times during the day in unity with all other believers who are doing the same.
It doesn't seem rational to me that God would require us to use a language other than our own during contact prayers.
And yes, I feel more comfortable saying my contact prayers in English because I understand fully what I am saying. Also I prefer to use non gender specific language and not repeat the same things over and over . However, I do sometimes still say contact prayers in Arabic, especially when I am tired and operating on automatic pilot. My mind tends to revert to the Arabic as a default setting, as a result of 8 years of self indoctrination! I am undecided about Rashid Khalifa's messengership and continue to pray for God's guidance about this and seek forgiveness if I am in error regarding my salat. -
I'm having a similar problem at the moment, trying to figure out what to pray during my salaah and how to pray it.
Just remember it's not the form that is most important. What really matters the most is to be reverent, humble and sincere in our remembrance of Him.
God willing you will find your way in this. Keep studying, examine all the words and views on it, and follow the best according to your reasoned understandings.
I mostly kneel during mine and recite sura 1 followed by prostrating and then pray to God using some relevant verses of Quran for what is going on in my life and to give thanks for the things and events in my life.
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I'm pretty sure that Zakarriyah was not doing his salat in Arabic 339
Why language is irrelevant!
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9603266.0 -
I'm not so sure about the irrelevance of language. Language makes up our mind, or at least has an strong influence on it. Unfortunately, meanings and concepts change, no matter if words are preserved. And on account of it, I'm afraid we can't be sure about what undertestood Muhammad while hearing, for instance, the word "qalam" or "hajj". Sometimes, I wonder if I should "pray" in silence, triying to beg pardon for my sins, to thank God's mercy and to clean my soul.
Nevertheles, I pray in Spanish, but I'm learning arabic -thought I'm pretty sure I'll never ever be fluent!!
Peace -
Nice answer, indeed. I agree intention ist the key.