:: How to... Salaat, Saum, Hajj, Zakaat! ::
-
Hawk99,
No. I do not fast.
However, I have worked on seriously refraining from consuming food and drink which my instincts would have me do which does not exactly have to do with that it is this Ramadhan.
Maintaining this is probably better than a long marathon fast, because it takes spiritual discipline to avoid the temptation of eating tasty things.
If I knew it was not a fake practice then obviously I would do it. Just like with that salat it is not because I am too arrogant to do it but merely because it serves no purpose to me and is a fabricated practice out of an innocent text. I see it as only unnecessary suffering to fast for a prolonged period. I could fast for 1 - 2 days, but that would be for the health benefits. My work on regulated consumption far exceeds the benefits if any of a marathon fast.
The stunted eating in Ramadhan is only annoying. It is easier to fast a few days eating or drinking nothing at all. The stunted eating messes up my metabolism.
Be well
-
Novice,
Your perception is all sound. You should only know Allah is not the name for your Teacher but Rabb is. Allah is a sectarian confusion by old interpreters.
"Jews" also have Allah/Elohim in their faith and language, but why do they not use it?
It does not mean what you or the Arabs think. They even think they have exclusive claim on it while the same word existed in Aramaic and people who were not Arabs. It is not merely an Arabic word.
Elah stems from when Moses came to meet with the Rabb and he asked about the Rabb and the Rabb replied "I am who am I", and Elah is a third person version of this expression, i.e. "who is" . Elohim is the plural version (who are). It is to say you exist (you are) rather than are lifeless (al-mowt).
Verily I promise you that it is like this.
Elah/Allah is just a feature of the linguistic structure of these languages but ignorant people have picked it to be an idol.
is a related grammatical word but with another pronoun suffix.
Be well
-
Simply AL alone means "such is". The twice Lam is "Be Such as Such as", if you understand my elaboration. Adding the end suffix merely adds a third person ending (which in Arabic/Aramic is genderless and can be both an item or a person. Although, if the word was supposed to be a singular entity it would use the letter , i.e. Allah is not even treated as a noun grammatically but an adverb of sorts.
Connect it to the "I am who am I" that was said to Moses. You see it clearly then.
Be well
-
Is there a command for ritual worship in Qur'an? How we serve Allah? Is it by performing rituals or by serving others as per Allah's guidance in Qur'an?
A ritual might give you comfort but does that makes it a requirement?
When Allah is not in need of anything from us then why these rituals are promoted in the name of Allah. Every religion (a man made set of rules and rituals) and every culture has their rituals and they all think that they are on the right path and they find self satisfaction in it.
Do we have to follow our elders blindly or do some thinking to find out the truth? Allah has commanded us many times in Qur'an to use our brains and do thinking.
Such discussions are endless so in the end I do what Allah has guided me to do through Qur'an. May Allah help us to understand His book.
Salam
What has Allah guided you to do?
-
Hawk brother, I didn't understand your question. Could you reword it?
Something clicked in my head. Some weeks ago, for the first time I went to an American mosque. People there were from different countries doing the Friday prayer. I was actually surprised to see that no two people prayed in the same way and it didnt seem like the result of sects, but cultures of their countries. The physical activities didn't fully match. But I suppose each was thinking that their own was valid. This is the case of traditionalists.
In the end, I suppose, it is for Allah to decide which one of us is right. As op points out, if any of us is satisfied with a prayer involving physical activities continue doing it. Those of us who don't see any logic in it should carry on with this view or research until satisfied.
May we be all guided by Allah
peace -
Good points, but it has generally been used in reference to human beings as a physical practice. So we know what hitting is for example, but if one says the light of the sun hit the moon, it might mean differently than if one said the man hit the other man.
So the meaning of the word seems to have been rather well established in use as referring to the kowtow when it comes to human figures at least.
Nice points and article though, thank you for that.
Actually, most of the occurrences involving human SJD show it does not mean physical prostration.
So you also don't perform the formal worship?
I assume you are referring to the Traditional Muslim ritual prayer - if so, no (or rarely), but I am not averse to it. There is some overlap between what Quran says about salat and Traditional Muslim ritual prayer. The problem only arises if someone says "you MUST do it in a specific manner", as "must" is the strongest word one can use and is rarely warranted based on the evidence.
-
Peace agphys.
You are right. No agreement in the foreseeable future. Well .some are waiting to receive thir own scripture and instruction individually?!!!
If you read all the threads,there was a comment from FS which basically implied that some people have a Qoran that is missing few pages!It seems bibles and Qorans have so many different interpretations, and people are going to differ continuously.
GOD sends messengers,but our ego thinks that we are cleverer and smarter than these human messengers that eat food,go to the market , give their own opinions and make mistakes and....
They do not realise that when they deliver a message and that message is confirmed by GOD s scripture that they are clarifying the differences.
And on and on each generation not learning a lesson.
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
Actually, most of the occurrences involving human SJD show it does not mean physical prostration.
I assume you are referring to the Traditional Muslim ritual prayer - if so, no (or rarely), but I am not averse to it. There is some overlap between what Quran says about salat and Traditional Muslim ritual prayer. The problem only arises if someone says "you MUST do it in a specific manner", as "must" is the strongest word one can use and is rarely warranted based on the evidence.
Oh yeah, I meant that sjd has generally been recognized as meaning prostrating when used in the language, at least these days, or else it would be kind of absurd that the linguists chose that to define the word if in its usage it never really means prostration at all, I'd imagine.
Yeah, I don't say "must" at least, and I agree it can be done in other ways than the Hadith based version for sure, but I think I would like to see the ancient kowtow expression in there.
-
I have once again started my research on the beginning days of the thing called hadith. Found an interesting thing in conartist Shafi's book about anti hadith groups who he tagged as followers of Quran only.
Then he said Whoever does (only) what is required of him in the quran as salah and gives the minimum as zakah has performed his duty. There is no established time for that, whether he prays two rakah everyday or he said every few days. Moreover, he says, ?whatever is not in the book of God is not required of anyone.
So it seems debate over salaat is not new. People of the time had very lenient view of it and this is what Mr Shafi didn't like.
-
The reason is because it is not clear since it is an artificial fabricated ritual.
Be well
-
why you need other people's understandings on this? Why you want to follow others? Allah is going to ask for your deeds and you cannot point anyone saying that he/she told me to do so and so when Allah asked you why did you do so! Right?
As per 5156, we have been created to serve Allah. That means, whatever Allah guides us to or asked us to do, we have to do that way. That is the only way to serve Allah. It is the matter of individuality as we are going to stand in front of our Lord individually to answer for our deeds 1995. If Allah made you understand that you have to do alSalaat 5 times a day or 30 days of alSaum, then you are bound to do so. You cannot see others what and how they are doing.
Either Allah will make you understand by explaining you directly in your heart or through someone else who will explain you and make you understand. Now you will need to follow whatever is explained to you only if you understood it, no matter even if others who are more knowledgeable to you are practicing the other way.
Well said. However, for all muslims who share the idea they always cite the quranic verse and post, then there are many muslims read and share their understanding. I my point of view I think that when the verse was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad he should do explain to his companions if he didn't explain to them, then the verse must be interpreted in many segments, or it might be chaotic among the companions about the verses. On the other hand, his companions asked the Prophet when their had got the questions. However, the practice of the Prophet according to God revealed must be the best pattern of conduct and clear among the companions.The practiced of the prophet must be told and remembered by his companions and would be tradition for centuries after the Prophet passed away. In my opinion Imam Bukhari did a great job in collecting the prophetic traditions. I dont believe all words of Bukhari, but I read the Qur-an and compared with Bukhari. I realized that when you read the book of Buhkari liken to read the historic book. We have been reading many books since we could read as; Scientific book, business book and etc. But some theories we can get and some we can deny.
Allah Stated "And We have sent down to you the Book with truth, authenticating what is present of the Book and superseding it. So judge between them by what God has sent down, and do not follow their desires from what has come to you of the truth. For each of you We have made laws, and a structure; and had God willed, He would have made you all one nation, but He tests you with what He has given you; so strive to do good. To God you will return all of you, and He will inform you regarding that in which you dispute." (The Message 54 -
What has Allah guided you to do?
Salaam FreedomStands
Please reflect on these verses (translation is not mine)
3138-139
( (
This is a declaration for mankind, and guidance, and an advice for the Muttiqeen. (13 Do not lose heart and do not grieve, and you are the upper-most if you are MUMINEEN. (139)2455
( (
Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly make them vicegerents in the land, as He made those before them, and will certainly establish for them their DEEN which He has approved for them, and will certainly give them peace in place of fear; SERVE Me, ascribing no partner (in taking commands) to Me. And those who HIDE after that are the FASIQOON. (55) Establish Salah and give Zakah and obey the messenger, so that you may be favored with mercy.These two instances in Qur'an are giving a guarantee. Muslims have been doing ritual namaz and 2.5% zakat along with other rituals and claiming themselves Muminoon. Do they have any control in the land? Do they have upper hand? If God's promise is true then these self claimed Muminoon are not Muminoon.
What more guidance we need? Why Muslims are so backward and in trouble? Something is wrong with these rituals which are not getting us to the promised destination.
Peace
-
Salaam FreedomStands
Please reflect on these verses (translation is not mine)
3138-139
( (
This is a declaration for mankind, and guidance, and an advice for the Muttiqeen. (13 Do not lose heart and do not grieve, and you are the upper-most if you are MUMINEEN. (139)2455
( (
Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly make them vicegerents in the land, as He made those before them, and will certainly establish for them their DEEN which He has approved for them, and will certainly give them peace in place of fear; SERVE Me, ascribing no partner (in taking commands) to Me. And those who HIDE after that are the FASIQOON. (55) Establish Salah and give Zakah and obey the messenger, so that you may be favored with mercy.These two instances in Qur'an are giving a guarantee. Muslims have been doing ritual namaz and 2.5% zakat along with other rituals and claiming themselves Muminoon. Do they have any control in the land? Do they have upper hand? If God's promise is true then these self claimed Muminoon are not Muminoon.
What more guidance we need? Why Muslims are so backward and in trouble? Something is wrong with these rituals which are not getting us to the promised destination.
Peace
That is an interesting idea, but are you sure it works like that? Are the current leaders Muminoon just because they are in power in the land? Were all those Muslims who had been oppressed throughout history doing something wrong during the long periods in which they were oppressed? Were the Prophets in the wrong while they were being ridiculed by those in power? Just wondering.
-
To be Muslim you need to be Salam. Are they sound?
Mumineen is another abused word. Amen. Hah. It means to either realize something as in making it real or behave a certain way (to make it real). It does have nil to do with belief. Believer you have in Mutaqeen if you speak of certainty and not guesswork.
Amen this I tell you. Amen this!
Be well
-
That is an interesting idea, but are you sure it works like that? Are the current leaders Muminoon just because they are in power in the land? Were all those Muslims who had been oppressed throughout history doing something wrong during the long periods in which they were oppressed? Were the Prophets in the wrong while they were being ridiculed by those in power? Just wondering.
The verses are not referring to prophets or leaders.
( (
( (
All the pronouns used are in plural form addressing to masses not leaders. Prophets conveyed the message and when people followed it they gained success. Yes Muslim were persecuted during prophet's time but they did succeed as per God's promise because they were Sabiroon and Muminoon.
@Man of Faith
Thanks brother for the explanation of the terms Muslim and Muminoon. There was a reason why I did not translate the key words in the verses like Deen, Kafara, Yabuduni and Muminoon. We have inherited twisted meanings of the Quranic terms and then we wonder why we are not successful despite the fact that mosques are full 5 times a day and people are fasting 20 hours a day.
People will only gain success when they start acting like Muminoon. By the way one of the attribute of God is Al-Mumin as per 5823
(
He is Allah, besides whom there is no god, the Sovereign, the Supreme-In-Holiness, the Safe (from all defects), the Giver-Of-Peace, the Guardian, the All-Mighty, the All-Repairer, the Sublime. Pure is Allah from what they associate with Him. (23) -
Well said. However, for all muslims who share the idea they always cite the quranic verse and post, then there are many muslims read and share their understanding. I my point of view I think that when the verse was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad he should do explain to his companions if he didn't explain to them, then the verse must be interpreted in many segments, or it might be chaotic among the companions about the verses. On the other hand, his companions asked the Prophet when their had got the questions. However, the practice of the Prophet according to God revealed must be the best pattern of conduct and clear among the companions.The practiced of the prophet must be told and remembered by his companions and would be tradition for centuries after the Prophet passed away. In my opinion Imam Bukhari did a great job in collecting the prophetic traditions. I don?t believe all words of Bukhari, but I read the Qur-an and compared with Bukhari. I realized that when you read the book of Buhkari liken to read the historic book. We have been reading many books since we could read as; Scientific book, business book and etc. But some theories we can get and some we can deny.
Peace brother,
Thank you.
If there is a person called Muhammad lived, how did he worked as per Allah's command is described in 622.It is He who has sent among the ummiyeena a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom - although they were before in clear error -
Points to be noted from the above aayat.
- A messenger is sent in Ummiyeena 278] from themselves.
- A messenger teaches them the Book.
Why do you think he teaches the Book to them? The answer is So that they can find their own way towards their Lord. They are ummis, they don't know alKitaab so a rasool is needed. But when they learned alKitaab, then no need for any rasool.
That is because, as you quoted below
Allah Stated "And We have sent down to you the Book with truth, authenticating what is present of the Book and superseding it. So judge between them by what God has sent down, and do not follow their desires from what has come to you of the truth. For each of you We have made laws, and a structure; and had God willed, He would have made you all one nation, but He tests you with what He has given you; so strive to do good. To God you will return all of you, and He will inform you regarding that in which you dispute." (The Message 54
Allah himself made us individual and individuality remains.
He made different laws for each of us and a structure for each of us. Why do you think He made different laws for each of us?We need to turn towards our Lord, the Creator alone and not towards His creation.
Sadly, some turn towards His creatures like snakes, elephants, etc. and some turn towards His other creation, i.e., humans. So every time when Allah alone is mentioned their hearts shrink 3945] (May Allah increase our knowledge and guide us on His path pr
mmKhan -
Peace Hawk
Peace
The fact is that hardly anyone remembers Allah in his salat
In the salat the whole concentration is on the recitation, the ruku, the sujud, the tahiyyat, the salam and the units completed and to be completed. Where is the time in the salat to remember Allah?
Peace brother hafeez kazi, the above may be true for you, and stating
your opinion as fact is problematic.hafeez kazi, have you studied the difference between rote and ritual?
Do you fast during Ramadan?
Hawk99,
No. I do not fast.
However, I have worked on seriously refraining from consuming food and drink which my instincts would have me do which does not exactly have to do with that it is this Ramadhan.
Maintaining this is probably better than a long marathon fast, because it takes spiritual discipline to avoid the temptation of eating tasty things.
If I knew it was not a fake practice then obviously I would do it. Just like with that salat it is not because I am too arrogant to do it but merely because it serves no purpose to me and is a fabricated practice out of an innocent text. I see it as only unnecessary suffering to fast for a prolonged period. I could fast for 1 - 2 days, but that would be for the health benefits. My work on regulated consumption far exceeds the benefits if any of a marathon fast.
The stunted eating in Ramadhan is only annoying. It is easier to fast a few days eating or drinking nothing at all. The stunted eating messes up my metabolism.
Be well
Peace Man of Faith, thank you for your reply, I have no problem with those
who are not able to fast the month of Ramadan, but do you honor 2/184?Hawk brother, I didn't understand your question. Could you reword it?
you asked
Is it okayeven if I think about Kim Kardashian and her dad's sex change during the prayer? Does that make the ritual valid?
Rote does not make a ritual valid (going thru the motions) also valid to whom?
God bless
-
Hawk99,
Peace Man of Faith, thank you for your reply, I have no problem with those
who are not able to fast the month of Ramadan, but do you honor 2/184?I do not fast because I am "not able" but because I deem the interpretation to be rather weak. But I practice general abstention in my life despite that because abstention is in the message of Quran. I am going to delve into those passages containing the word Ramadhan eventually (my full reinterpretation of Quran has come up to chapter 2 passage 6, but I do not have faith in ritualism.
What do you mean "honor 2/184"?
First of all, it uses the word allah that does not equal the Rabb.
Be well
