(Article) The Complete Guide to Quranic Service Prayer (Salat) الصلاة القرآنية ؛
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The Complete Guide to Quranic Service Prayer (Salat)
Definition of Salat
Salat is a 'Prayer Service'.
We observe it to connect with God.
We connect with God by reading, saying, and studying His words & commandments in the Quran. (2014, 2945, 8715)
Salat is supposed to deter us from doing Evil things. By reading the Quran, we learn what is good and what is evil & are thus deterred from doing evil because of the aftermath consequences (i.e punishment of hell) (2945)First we must do a couple of things before doing the prayer service
- You must be sober;
You cannot be intoxicated/medicated to the point of not being able to understand what you're saying (443) If you are, you cannot observe the prayer service (salat)
Similarly, You MUST UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE spoken in the prayer service, if you don't, your prayer service is pretty useless
The Nice thing is You can do it in ANY language you understand. Get any translation of the Quran & read (4144, 2619
١
(443)
.(4144 2619
2)You have to wash up
There are 3 forms of washing up, depending how clean you are & whether you have water available)
a) Wash face, wash arms up to elbows, then anoint head & feet with water (56)
b) showering/bathing (443) (If you are sick, traveling a long journey, gone to the restroom, or had sexual intimacy, wash up just before doing prayer service)
c) If there is no water available, do dry (symbolic) washing, by Wiping only face & hands with clean soil (443, 56)٢
3
أ (56)
ب / (443) ( ة
ج (443 56)- You should face the Holy Temple (2144)
There is no explicit commandment to face the Holy Temple during salat, however, God commands us to face it wherever we are 2144, and thus we could understand this as to mean a direction to be faced as for conformity among people (2150).
Moreover, we can derive a direction for prayer from the example of Moses, as they were instructed to make their homes a direction to face (Arabic Qibla), and directly after it states to establishing salat (1087).٣ (2144)
2144 (2 150).
(1087).Physical Positions during prayer service
- Standing
You have to stand while doing salat
Zakariyah was Standing doing his Salat (339)
Muhammed was standing doing Salat (6211)
We are commanded to stand obediently before God during salat (223
١ /
(339)
(6211)
(223- Bowing
You can bow during salat
Establish salat & zakat, and bow down with those who bow down... (243, 343)
"you shall bow down, prostrate yourselves, worship your Lord, and do good deeds, that you may succeed." (2277)
٢
" " (243 343)
" " (2277)- Prostrating
End Salat with prostration
Muhammed Ending his Salat by Prostrating once (4102)
You see them bowing and prostrating ...Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration... (4829)
٣
(4102)
" ..." (4829)How to Stand?
Standing is a Natural Position (Self-explanatory).
they found a wall about to collapse, and he fixed it and made it stand up" (1877)
*Standing resembles a wall./
.
".. " (1877)How to bow?
We can get a glimpse of this position as Solomon "fell down" (3414), as similarly, David "fell down" to do the position of Bowing/kneeling (3824), Thus Bowing has to become about from a position of high potential (e.g standing), into a position of low potential.(3414)
(3824)How to Prostrate?
Kneel down and put your forehead on the floor.
Some pressure of the body rests on the face (forehead), thereby may resulting in a mark from repetitive prostrations over time;
There is trace marks on their faces from prostration... (4829).
(ن" ..." (4829)
Where do you put your hands?
Your hand position can be in any natural, comfortable position. It doesn't really matter, what matters is that we focus our minds on God's and His words, not superficial things like how far to put our arms and legs.....
....How many times do you have to stand/bow/prostrate? (Arabic Rak'a)
Salat could be done just- Standing (339, 6211, 223
- then Bowing (343, 243)
- Ending with a prostration (4102)
(There is no such thing as repetitive cycles of stand/bow/prostrate (Rak'a) in the Quran. The purpose of Salat is to connect with God and not the amount of bows and prostrations you do. We should be focusing on revering God (223, and not distracted by how many bows and prostrations did we just do (1075)
/ / ( )
- (339 6211 223
- (343 243)
- (4102)
( .
Can you do Salat while sitting down?
Yes, if you're tired, injured, disabled you can (3191)
"They commemorate God while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth 'Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain, Be You glorified, so please spare us the punishment of Hell!'" (3191)(3191)
(3١What to say during salat?
- Start by Seeking refuge in God from Satan/Devil (169 Say, ("I seek refuge in God from Satan" (2397)
- Say the Opening prelude of the Quran (Chapter 1 Alfatha) (1587)
- Say any other chapter of the Quran (7320, 2945)
- Right at the end of salat, Say the verse of 17111
- After prostrating and ending salat, Praise and Glorify God (5040)
١ (169 " " (2397)
٢ (1587) " "
٣ (7320 2945) " "
٤ 17 " "
٥ (5040) " "Your Manners during Salat
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Speak in a moderate tone (not too loud nor too low) (17111)
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Be Sober & make sure you understand the language spoken) (443, 4144)
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Listen attentively to reciter (7204)
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Be Humble & reverent (2238, 232, 555)
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Don't show off during salat (1076), God doesn't like show offs (311
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Be Devote entirely to God (6162)
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Don't be lazy (956) or distracted 639
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Try not to miss your prayer services (7034)
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(17111)
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(7204)
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ة (443 4144)
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(2238 232 555)
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(6162)
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(4142 1076) (311
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(956) (639)
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(7034)
When to do Salat? How many Daily salats are there?
There are only 2 proper names of salat, and their 2 proper timings.
Two Names (245
- Dawn Prayer service (Salat AlFajr)
- Evening Prayer service (Salat Al-Esha)
Their Two Timings (Twilight times 11114)
- Dawn = From the Beginning of dawn 2187, all the way until sunrise (30m to 1 hr)
- Evening = From just before sunset, all the way until complete darkness (177 (also 3831, 1113) (30m - 1 hour)
.
(245
١
٢(11114)
١ = 2187
٢ = (177 (3831 1113)Lessons from Nature
God Has cited to us in the Quran of other creatures, specifically BIRDS knowing how to do THEIR Service prayer (2441)
Is it a coincidence that
-We hear birds audibly at EXACTLY TWO times per day During Dawn & sunset (two twilight times) which is EXACTLY when we should be doing our prayer services!)-Birds speak audibly, just as we are told to do so during prayer services (17111),
-Birds fly in a line formation with one leader, which is exactly how group prayer services should be done (4102).
.Can You shorten the time spent on the prayer service?
Yes! If you are not in a good situation or a place to do your service prayer safe and soundly, then you may
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shorten the time spent on it (4101)
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Do the service prayer while you are walking/riding/flying/sailing etc (2239)
God wishes us ease and not hardship (2185), you can work around it. -
(4101)
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/ (2239)
(2185)
Can you do more than two prayer services a day?
No, not exactly, because Regular Prayer services are due at specific times per day (4103), and they are the two "twilight times" between night & day). ( 11114, 4103)
You can however, spend more time during the "extra credit" devotional nighttime service, which is up next(4103) . (11114 4103)
There is another "extra credit" devotional Nighttime service
NOTE There is another Devotional Nighttime service (1779). This is to be done anytime during the complete Darkness of the night. However, it is different than daily prayer services
It DIFFERS in that- No time frame required (spend a little time is OK, a lot is better if you can)
- You only have to read short & easy chapters from the Quran, more is better & optional (7320, 1779)
Nighttime is one of the best times to study the Quran 731-6
(1779)
.( ت
(7320 1779)
(736)Can you "Make up" a service prayer if you miss it? (e.g let's say you overslept )
No, but you Can however, spend more time during the "extra credit" devotional nighttime service, which does not have time limits. (7320)
Regular Prayer services are due at only 2 specific time frames, which are the two "twilight times" between night & day). ( 11114, 4103)
You will have to wait until the next "twilight" to do it. Just like If you miss a train,you'll have to wait until next one comes... (11114 4103)
Q's & A's
Do You have to pray/do the service in Arabic?
No! - there are examples in the Quran of people doing salat in a language other than Arabic, specifically Jesus (1931), who spoke in another language (57
***If you cannot understand the language, then you are in the same situation as a person who is intoxicated (443) and does not understand what they are saying =(! - (1931) (57
(443)
Do You have to read and say the Quran out loud yourself?
Not necessarily. You don't have to do it yourself, you can listen to a Quran recitation (In ANY language of your choice), just listen to it attentively (7204)(7204)
Do we need to say Ameen (Amen) after saying the opening prelude (Al-Fathah) or after saying any prayers?
No we don't need to!
Amen is not a Quranic word, and no where in the Quran does anyone say that after their prayers! None!
God already assures us that he will answer our prayers 4060, in accordance with his will (7630)!
! !
4060 (7630)Do we have to "proclaim our intention "of making salat (e.g saying I intend to do Evening salat (Arabic Niyah)?
-No, we don't need to.
God already knows our deepest thoughts & intentions (2910, 4916)
No one ever says such a thing in the Quran!!
! !
(2910 4916)
(4916)Can women lead a prayer service or stand next to men?
Yes!
Marry was commanded to worship God and bow and prostrate with those who bow down (The word here is gender collective which means Men + Women together in prayer (343)
Traditionalists could argue, however, when you look at their Mecca, you see Men, Women, and children together...
ANYONE of good literacy of scripture can lead salat.!
" ..." (343)
!
.Can women do Salat or fast during their menses/pregnancy?
Yes, Marry was fasting while having her baby (Jesus) (1926). Menses was not an excuse to skip the prayer service.
Every able believer is obligated to do observe Salat, man, woman, or child who is able to understand. (2278, 1955)/
(1926). .
. (2278 1955)Should you do salat in group or individually? and at home or at a temple?
-Either; both examples are cited to us
Individual Zakariyah doing salat by himself at home (339)
Group Mohammed Leading Salat for others publicly (4102)(339)
(4102)How can we do Salat as a group (in a congregation)?
- One Person Should lead the service, while the others stand behind (4102), similar to the line formation of birds in the sky (2441)
- The leader should recite and the others should listen attentively (7204)
- Salat ends with a prostration (4102)
( ة
(4102)- (7204)
- (4102)
What about "Friday prayer"? (629)
First, this is not another new service prayer. Second, The wording is not "Friday prayer", it is (any) prayer ON the day of "Friday".
Third, the day is not necessarily "Friday" prayer, but a gathering day where there is congregation/groups, and where there is business (like a "market day"
We are told to leave business and go attend for the service prayer." " (629)
" " "".
/ ( قDo we need to have a call for prayer? (629, 55 (Arabic Azaan)
Not necessarily; People during Muhammed's time did not have the technology to keep track of when the twilight/sunset/sunrise/twilight began (7320), so it would have been helpful for them to call out that it is a time for prayer.(629 55(ن
/ / (7320)What about a possible third "Middle Prayer" and the "multiple plural" of word salat in 2238? (e.g Arabic Multiple plural means 3 or more, dual plural = 2)
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There is a third "name" of salat cited in 2238, however, it is NOT a proper name, it is an adjective. It means the "middle" "medium" "Best" prayer service (Al-Salat Al-Wusta)
In order for us to understand, we must look at the context of 2238, and 2239
The entire verse is talking about ALL our service prayers during our lifetime (hence the word is multiple plural 3+). Thus The verse tells us that
-We should strive to not miss our prayer(all), and we should strive to make every prayer the "best prayer" (all), and that we should strive to be humble in our service prayers (all of them). Hence, no third "middle" prayer, rather, strive to make every prayer service the best one (adj.) -
The next verse (2239), tells us the opposite description. If we are not in a good place to do salat, or under fear, we are allowed to do our prayer service, and do it while walking or riding (flying/driving/sailing etc). This means that in such situation, we are NOT able to strive to be humble nor make our prayer service a good one, because we are in Fear (i.e the opposite description/adjective of "the Best prayer"
What about translating (177 as to mean a noon prayer?
The words in question here are "Duliki alshams", which can mean the rubbing of the sun (at horizon/sunset), or the decline of the sun from it's zenith. The problem with the traditional translators that (in order for them to get an afternoon prayer) translate this phrase as, the decline of the sun at zenith is that the verse tells us to pray all the way UNTIL the darkness of the night (Arabic Ila ghasaq alayl) , which means that these traditional translators have to do their service prayer FROM noon, all the way until after sunset NONSTOP!... (The word "ila" is also used during fasting instructions; This is why We fast FROM dawn, until sunset NONSTOP 2187)The more logical translation is the "rubbing of the sun" (at the horizon), because then the timing is more plausible, from just before sunset, until the darkness of the night (after there is no more twilight)... This is how it is understood in this video.
***Moreover, traditional muslims do salat SILENTLY during their "noon" and "afternoon" prayers.This CANNOT be salat as per Quran 17110, because Salat CANNOT be said silently (17110)
Video version of this article
The Complete Guide to Quranic Service Prayer (Salat)
https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMkl2ZPkQfw - You must be sober;
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I ra out of room for the last two points in translations into Arabic ^^
2238
2238 .
2238 2239
( ) .
( ا ( ) ) .٢ (2239) . ( / خ
( ى( 4103 - 11114)
(177 " "
" " ١ ٢ . ( ر ! "" " " 2187. ! . !.
(17110)
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Thank you so much!
I hope you are right.
To me, what you said seems the best, and the most rational, natural and human format to do salat.
I gave up the hope of finding the universal explanation of salat in the Qur'an, long ago.
What is left, is that apparently everyone would ask the Creator for a personal, private explanation.Peace
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brickwall
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peace,
I did not read all your work, but I thought this point was reasonable
What about translating (177 as to mean a noon prayer?
The words in question here are "Duliki alshams", which can mean the rubbing of the sun (at horizon/sunset), or the decline of the sun from it's zenith. The problem with the traditional translators that (in order for them to get an afternoon prayer) translate this phrase as, the decline of the sun at zenith is that the verse tells us to pray all the way UNTIL the darkness of the night (Arabic Ila ghasaq alayl) , which means that these traditional translators have to do their service prayer FROM noon, all the way until after sunset NONSTOP!... (The word "ila" is also used during fasting instructions; This is why We fast FROM dawn, until sunset NONSTOP 2187)I have added it to my article on the common problems with 5 salat timings as per Quran (click).
Thanks.
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Very nice article QuranAloneRevolution. I'll save it for future use. Two points though
First, I personally don't ascribe to the "marks on the forehead from prayer". I think it's possible to pray your entire life without developing the abhorrent zebiba
Second, it's good that you're translating this into arabic. I think all such articles should be published somewhere in the arabic section? It's important to connect back to the arabic speaking internet crowd.
As for dulook-il-shams, the interpretation of this as the afternoon prayer is totally disingenuous. I really don't understand how people can make that inference. Dulook means "to rub" or "scrub" something, and is still used today in that context. Not in slang usage, where the far more common masaha is used, but in formal arabic.
From the arabic translation of the first Harry Potter book
His nose was still very red from the rubbing his mother gave it
What does "rubbing of the sun" have to do with the afternoon? Nothing at all. At least nothing i can think of. But what about sunset, when the sun is reddened and looks like it is being rubbed in the horizon? The analogy should be straightforward and obvious to anyone who has ever seen a sunset
And as you pointed out, this explains the word "ila" in that verse. No one prays from the afternoon to sunset nonstop, but praying for the duration of the rubbing of the sun until the sky is dark is quite a fixed time period that doesn't require any complicated processes to figure out and can be done by anyone with a simple glance out of the window
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- After * Prostrating and ending salat, Praise and Glorify God (5040)
Tasbeeh is in the salat, not after salat ended. After prostrating, there is tasbeeh.(5040) Then only after tasbeeh, the salat ends.
Sunnis does not include the tasbeeh in the salat. Instead they recites the jewish athahiyaat. They do tasbeeh after ending salat.
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Sunnis do include tasbeeh in the salah. They say and
What i meant is they recite atahiyaat in tashahud, where it should be tasbeeh. They dont do tasbeeh there.
And one doubt - Is tasbeeh farz/wajib in salat in sunni madhabs ?
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5040 is the reason why tasbeeh should be there. thats what i read in a scholar's (who take quran only) book.
In my knowledge, sunni madhabs does not consider tasbeeh is a farz. (but am not sure, thats why i asked u).
Hanbali madhab consider it farz, but shafi madhab does not consider it farz, thats what in my knowledge.
