How do you actually do Salah?
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Hi meisnatz,
Thanks for sharing. It's nice to hear how others pray. It seems we are all very similar.
peace Salam, Shalom, Peace peace
Shalom aleichem,
I've always wanted to know how others do theirs too. Toda Raba for sharing )
Baruch HaShem / Praised be Allah.
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Peace be upon you,
There is a reason why there are so many people who "recite" all kinds of scriptures who still can't transcend negative habits and behaviors. Through metaphor we are being shown that we must enter the trance state ...that state where day merges into night and night into day...dawn and dusk are the only two "times" mentioned. Salaat is programming of the nafs in a state of trance through meditation.
Right. whats important is glorification and praise. Unless you do them some other time. The Quran says we are to do glorify God and praise Him at all times of the day. What i do is I do them all during my salat.
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Saying that we 'do' the salat tends to mean we see it as a ritual...
What Quranic evidence do you have that there's anything wrong with rituals? If those rituals involve shirk then sure, it's wrong. But I see nothing wrong with rituals that bring you closer to God.
Btw, my prayers
I pray the way I was taught. Typical Muslim prayer... Except I don't include the names of any Prophets in my Adhan (call to prayer) or in the part where I'm sitting down. I recite Ayat Al Kursi (2255) instead. Why? Because it feels right and I love the meaning. But I don't think details matter. I believe it's about intention and conviction. Also, I'm scared the saying Salaam to angels and jinn to finish prayer might be shirk. The Quran says end prayer with "Praise be to Allah, lord of the worlds"Their prayer in it is "Be you glorified, our god!" And their greeting in it is "Peace," and the end of their prayer is "Praise to God, Lord of the worlds!"
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What Quranic evidence do you have that there's anything wrong with rituals? If those rituals involve shirk then sure, it's wrong. But I see nothing wrong with rituals that bring you closer to God.
Btw, my prayers
I pray the way I was taught. Typical Muslim prayer... Except I don't include the names of any Prophets in my Adhan (call to prayer) or in the part where I'm sitting down. I recite Ayat Al Kursi (2255) instead. Why? Because it feels right and I love the meaning. But I don't think details matter. I believe it's about intention and conviction. Also, I'm scared the saying Salaam to angels and jinn to finish prayer might be shirk. The Quran says end prayer with "Praise be to Allah, lord of the worlds"Their prayer in it is "Be you glorified, our god!" And their greeting in it is "Peace," and the end of their prayer is "Praise to God, Lord of the worlds!"
Good method. However shirk is not as simple as you think. Its not something you can just fall into without knowing. Its not an act you can just commit. Its much bigger than that. Much bigger. Its a belief system.
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRPqtGywkCw
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Good method. However shirk is not as simple as you think. Its not something you can just fall into without knowing. Its not an act you can just commit. Its much bigger than that. Much bigger. Its a belief system.
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRPqtGywkCw
Yes. You're probably right. But my thinking is if one way is 100% safe and the other MIGHT displease God. Yo! I ain't takin no chances dawg!
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Salaam everyone,
I have to admit I observe a modified version of the traditional prayer with free speech at the end of the prayer.
However, I consider my whole life a sort of prayer, but the ritual helps me focus on the Lord, it is a sort of meditation. I focus more on the concentration and less on monotone bosy movement, as I perceive the prayer is meant to be.
I have to further admit that I still recite sura 1 from the Quran, but it has to do with my code 19 belief (lips touch each other 19 times while reciting) and that Surah 1 is short and beautiful. But I add my own elements of glorification and praise of the Lord, which I believe is right as long as they are dedicated to God alone.
If I am in public and I have no clean spot to observe a physical prayer or on the move I cross hands and pray like Christians. Most important is to focus on intense commemoration of God and give your gratification, in my opinion.
My prayers can take from a few minutes up to 30 - 60 minutes in some cases, where the long time indicates I meditate or speak freely.
I pray almost traditionally, 5 times per day, although I have started to accept the idea of 3 prayers per day.
Many days I have a prayer each 3 hours, ie at 6, 9, 12, 3, 6, 9, after inspiration from some Bible reading. Thinking traditionally, I consider the noon prayer to be the middle prayer, and being of high importance.
When I go to bed I always pray before sleeping, regardless of the amount of prayers observed. In the small hours before sunrise I also observe a prayer, out of discipline, even if I go to sleep and wake up later for the morning prayer. The body is accustomed to the behavior and it does not have a severe impact on my mood/ capability.
I have the opinion that there is no fixed amount of prayers, the more the merrier, as they use to say. After all, it is seeking His nearness and guidance, as well as protection from the evil one and his followers. And to show you submit to His Will.
Thanks for reading my post and hope it was a pleasant reading.
God bless you
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What Quranic evidence do you have that there's anything wrong with rituals? If those rituals involve shirk then sure, it's wrong. But I see nothing wrong with rituals that bring you closer to God.
I agree that anything that brings you closer to God in action or remembrance is good to do, whether it is rituals or not. The only issue is when people insist that we should do it this or that way, judging other's way of connecting to God.
What I was hinting at is that I personally don't think that solaa must be a physical ritual. Absence of physical ritual doesn't mean absence of solaa. It's not that simple. That was my point.
Salaam
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I agree that anything that brings you closer to God in action or remembrance is good to do, whether it is rituals or not. The only issue is when people insist that we should do it this or that way, judging other's way of connecting to God.
What I was hinting at is that I personally don't think that solaa must be a physical ritual. Absence of physical ritual doesn't mean absence of solaa. It's not that simple. That was my point.
Salaam
I don't think details like how you position your hands, etc matter. But i completely believe that it's a physical ritual. There are 3 mandatory positions during Salat Standing, Bowing and Prostrating.
Quranic evidence
Preserve the contact prayers, and the middle contact prayer, and STAND devoutly for God.
The angels called to him while he was STANDING and praying in the temple enclosure "God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating a word from God, respectable, protected, and a prophet from the reformers."
If you are with them and hold the contact prayer for them, then let a group from amongst them STAND with you and let them bring their weapons; when they have prostrated then let them stand guard from behind; let a group who has not yet contacted come and contact with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The ingrates 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 keep from placing down your weapons. Be wary. God has prepared for the ingrates a humiliating retribution.
We have appointed to Abraham the location of the sanctuary "Do not set up anyone with Me, and purify My sanctuary for those who will partake, and those who will enforce, and those who BOW and PROSTRATE."
Muhammad, the messenger of God, and those who are with him, are severe against the ingrates, but merciful between themselves. You see them BOWING and PROSTRATING, they seek God's blessings and approval. Their distinction is in their faces, as a result of PROSTRATING. Such is their example in the Torah. Their example in the Injeel is like a plant which shoots out and becomes strong and thick and it stands straight on its trunk, pleasing to the farmers. That He may enrage the ingrates with them. God promises those among them who acknowledge and do good works forgiveness and a great reward.
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Salaam Aamer,
It is interesting to keep those postures in mind, it may tell that at least 3 prayers per day should include some deeper devotion for the Lord. I still observe the ancient ritual of prostration, which can also be found in the Bible, at most situations throughout the day.
The Bible is a risky source of information though, but I feel that this physical movement is prescribed by God.
Submission to God can be shown to God in many ways though, for example, through charity or similar things. Or by exposing yourself to risks in the name of God.
In my opinion, one should live in s state of prayer throughout the day, God should never leave your consciousness, every action should be made out of righteousness and fear of God. Any meeting with another human can be a test from God.
But, for me, the formal meaning of prayer is to seek contact with God, His presence. A focused "ritual" is the best option, in my opinion, showing some humility is to dare look silly in front of the Lord. The ancient ritual may not be a false practice, but there is no prescribed way to do it, except the postures.
The prostration comes from an ancient practice of greeting to a superior or very courteous gesture to someone you had respect for. It is a very humble greeting, not performed today, except by Muslims to God, but the bowing part still remains in some cultures.
Considering the above, it is not "wrong" to physically prostrate to God. It may feel primitive, but our ancestors did that not because of submission to idols, even if it was used for that too, but as a special greeting. You can ponder, "am I too proud to humiliate myself this way to God".
Now, it comes down to the three basic criteria to fulfill for salvation
- Believe in God
- Believe in the Hereafter
- Be righteous, ie be a good person
Prostration is not mentioned in this regard, so it does not seem to be mandatory, but could possibly be voluntary and/ or recommended. But to make every decision in life in the Light of God seems to be necessary to be forgiven and admitted into Paradise.
Conclusively, I fully respect those who interpret the Quran in other ways and choose to worship the Lord their way. Dedicating the whole life, prayers and sacrifices, and all else to God alone is the most important criterion.
God bless you
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Salaam everyone,
I have to admit I observe a modified version of the traditional prayer with free speech at the end of the prayer.
However, I consider my whole life a sort of prayer, but the ritual helps me focus on the Lord, it is a sort of meditation. I focus more on the concentration and less on monotone bosy movement, as I perceive the prayer is meant to be.
I have to further admit that I still recite sura 1 from the Quran, but it has to do with my code 19 belief (lips touch each other 19 times while reciting) and that Surah 1 is short and beautiful. But I add my own elements of glorification and praise of the Lord, which I believe is right as long as they are dedicated to God alone.
If I am in public and I have no clean spot to observe a physical prayer or on the move I cross hands and pray like Christians. Most important is to focus on intense commemoration of God and give your gratification, in my opinion.
My prayers can take from a few minutes up to 30 - 60 minutes in some cases, where the long time indicates I meditate or speak freely.
I pray almost traditionally, 5 times per day, although I have started to accept the idea of 3 prayers per day.
Many days I have a prayer each 3 hours, ie at 6, 9, 12, 3, 6, 9, after inspiration from some Bible reading. Thinking traditionally, I consider the noon prayer to be the middle prayer, and being of high importance.
When I go to bed I always pray before sleeping, regardless of the amount of prayers observed. In the small hours before sunrise I also observe a prayer, out of discipline, even if I go to sleep and wake up later for the morning prayer. The body is accustomed to the behavior and it does not have a severe impact on my mood/ capability.
I have the opinion that there is no fixed amount of prayers, the more the merrier, as they use to say. After all, it is seeking His nearness and guidance, as well as protection from the evil one and his followers. And to show you submit to His Will.
Thanks for reading my post and hope it was a pleasant reading.
God bless you
hail
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assalamu 'aleykum,
I prefer to think of this as something that is a continually evolving practice rather than a fixed ritual to performed in a certain way for all time. I've tried to take a middle way through what can be explicitly determined from al-Qur'an and the historical tradition of practice as well. I don't want to, and I don't think that I do make the argument that innovations in traditional practice are completely valid, yet something strikes me as being very arrogant to simply cast aside thousands of years of common practice. This is the result of that mediation and it is a work in progress. As such, I invite those with more knowledge than I to comment, critique, or at least let me know if I'm on the right track ... as I hope my sharing this may insha'allah help others as well.
Tried putting this inline in the message a couple times, but couldn't get the formatting right, so here's a pdf.
https//docs.google.com/file/d/0B2MOiVr1TPeyWGVaZEJEdjIxcG8/edit?usp=sharing
And yes, I am aware of 17111, but there seem to be many interpretations of that as well, so I haven't arrived at any consistent conclusion as of yet.
Another thing this does not address yet is the Adhan, and I'd be curious to know what other's position is on that. I know some perform it before prayer, even if they are by themselves, and others do not. It is not technically part of the Salah, but precedes it so is outside any of the Qur'anic injunctions for how to perform the prayer? It is a beautiful thing, and aside perhaps from the Shahada it contains bearing witness to Muhammad ( م, there doesn't seem to be anything unQur'anic (!) about it.
and note I am not a native speaker of Arabic. I am returning to school in the Fall to work toward completion of my degree(s) in Communications and Linguistics with an emphasis on Central and Southwest Asian Studies, studying Modern, Classical, and colloquial Arabic along the way. Be kind.
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...Another thing this does not address yet is the Adhan, and I'd be curious to know what other's position is on that. I know some perform it before prayer, even if they are by themselves, and others do not. It is not technically part of the Salah, but precedes it so is outside any of the Qur'anic injunctions for how to perform the prayer? It is a beautiful thing, and aside perhaps from the Shahada it contains bearing witness to Muhammad ( م, there doesn't seem to be anything unQur'anic (!) about it...
The highlight above is from me.
welcome
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9605445.msg329783#msg329783
Peace,
Khalil -
I've recently reached similar conclusions to Al Jinn's salat video on youtube. I do not think of it as a ritual that needs to be perfect or else it is not accepted, like a magic spell. It is more about a time to read aloud the Quran, standing, and ponder on what I have read. Rather than repeat familiar surahs on my tongue. It wasn't helping me. Then I would glorify Allah while bowing and prostrating afterwards, similar to the traditional salat but not quite as fixed. I would do this as much as I deemed right. Then I would ponder on what I read during the rest of the day and then symbolically prostrate and bow (by obeying).
I used to pray 3 times but now after analyzing Salat al Wusta, i do not see that as a Salat. So Two seem to be the minimum in the Quran in my eyes. Also i believe the Quran basically says to make salat as often as possible. Just like tasbeeh.
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Peace,
It helps nothing parroting the Quran in Arabic unless you understand the language.
I use to read the first chapter in Arabic, but I have tried to study the language in it carefully. However, lately I have been reciting it in English with the best possible translation/paraphrasing.
The salah is a communion with God and not so much about a uniform set of movements. Although when praying in groups it may be good to agree on a uniform prayer or it is difficult to pray together. It might be this that Muhammad and perhaps also those before him did so that they salat in its traditional form stems from. But I doubt they had different amounts of rakah for each prayer and this addition was probably an invention, even hadith reveals that. I think the traditional prayer was two prostrations for God and the rest they had some ceremony reading prayer/supplications for God. Probably they may have included the seven verses of chapter one.
Remember prostration does not necessarily originate from religion but it was a common humble and respectful greeting in the past. There is, based on historical use, nothing wrong with prostrating to God. Even the remnant of the practice remains, think about when you bow down for someone, particularly those who bow down with their whole upper part of the body in certain cultures. This is where this prayer originates from. It was not only in front of God but also in front of people in the old ages.
Also it is futile to read from Quran in mere prayer, especially chapters with verses that have "say" and aimed at someone other than God. There are some prayer quotations to be found within Quran if you look carefully. Some verses contain prayers within the book. All it takes is some study.
The only reason why they may have read the Quran (to their Arabic crowd) was to teach it while having their ceremony, when Muhammad was in the mosque with his followers. But it seems illogical that they included it in their prayer since the discourse mostly does not function as prayer. It seems silly to read chapter 109 (commonly referred to as Al-Kafiroon) to God in prayer for example, it is entirely a chapter aimed at specific people and not God. And many other general verses in Quran are also not particularly fit for reciting in prayer.
If you want more prayers to read beside chapter one, I recommend searching for phrases in Quran containing "mini-prayers". Otherwise you can "invent" prayer wordings to add as a form of supplication. I believe the whole prayer system should be based on mainly supplication anyways, and not so much monotone repetition of words. The glorification phrases such as 'Subhan allah' is to praise God and not so much any other use.
I hope what I wrote helped somehow. I try to follow only what my God inspires to me.
God bless you
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Peace be upon you,
There is a reason why there are so many people who "recite" all kinds of scriptures who still can't transcend negative habits and behaviors. Through metaphor we are being shown that we must enter the trance state ...that state where day merges into night and night into day...dawn and dusk are the only two "times" mentioned. Salaat is programming of the nafs in a state of trance through meditation.
Very good explanation, thank you!
sun
When I read your posts one or two years before, probably I wasn't ready fir them...