Why I do not pray
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(By Bashir Abid)
"why do the majority of people of tuloo Islam do
not pray 5 times or even 3 time or even one time
except on Fridays" ?A plain and simple answer to this question is God
knows better why they do not pray ? Over the past
twenty years of my association with Toluislam I, never
came across any piece of Toluislam's literature
including audio, video and printed material which
prohibits its readers from praying in any form.
Toluislam's Literature is not a secret nor it is
difficult to get. One can have it any time from Idara
Toluislam or its various bazms or in some major
bookshops and libraries in Pakistan and confirm the
truth by himself.Prayer is the symbol of Faith, Unity, and Disciplin of
the Muslim Ummah. No one can deny the importance of
these principles in the progress and strength of
Muslims. This is the true essence of Muslims' prayers.
As long as they had followed it in their prayers they
were the most progressive and powerful nation on
earth. But, unfortunately, after the unnatural
collapes of Righteous Caliphate these principles have
been eclipsed due to violent changes and upheavels in
the socio-economic and political spheres of Islamic
States. Toluislam effort is to rejuvenate the true
spirit of prayer through education.I know many members of Toluislam who pray regularly as
they have been taught by their parents and Ulama. In
my opinion, those who do not pray regularly they are
like the main stream Muslims. We see around us
majority of Muslims who do not pray despite of their
unfaltering belief. If you ask any one about the
importance of prayer he will never deny it rather he
will count hundred and ten of its benefits. Yet, you
may find him not praying without any reason.Toluislam members are no different than the main
stream Muslims. The incongruities in their behavior,
particularly, in respect of Faith need a deeper study
than simply criticising them. I myself do not pray -
even on Friday ! However, I never denied the
importance of prayer and never preached against it. I
have my own reasons of not praying and one of these is
the hollowness of the present system of prayers.According to Quran prayer is obligated to achieve some
definite objectives. For example, while we pray we
make commitment with God that we obey Him and seek His
support alone 'Iyakana'bado wa Iyakanasta'een'. But
we are unable to fullfil this commitment. Why ?
Because obedience to God is possible within a system
and there is no system on earth which allows us to
obey God's Laws and Ordinances.Similarly, there are other objectives of Prayer which
are possible through a system only. For example, to
end sectarianism and create political as well as
ideological unity among the Muslims or to
educate the people in decent behaviors so that they
should give up niggardliness and fraudulent activities
.If you ask me whether we should pray or not ? My
answer would be yes ! We should pray but at the same
time we should not forget its real objectives. It is
just like a person who asks whether we should send our
children to school or not ? Certainly, the answer is
yes but if we send them to worship the principal or
the teachers and learn nothing then better not to send
them. Or, another beautiful simile; if a patient asks
whether he should visit a doctor or not ? The answer
is yes also, but after visiting the doctor, if he does
not follow his prescription then the patient is just
wasting the time.At the moment Muslims are doing the same things. They
go to mosques in order to worship God. They do not
have any sense of establishing God's Authority in
their societies so that every one could enjoy His
Grace and Blessings. God is not a statue that should
be worshiped. God is a living Authority that must be
obeyed in order to establish a lively civil society.I hope, this explanation might have answered your
first question. I also hope that my other friends in
Toluislam would express their point of view on this
subject. As I said earlier, this subject is not as
simple as usually thought. It needs in depth study and
analysis.http//www.galaxydastak.com/cgi-bin/forum/webbbs_config.pl?read=31464
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why we should pray
2186 When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them) I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me That they may walk in the right way.
2235 To those whose hearts when Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed upon them.
2278 And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help!
9112 Those that turn (to Allah. in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of Allah, that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limit set by Allah.- (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers.
The Prayer
11 In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
12 Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
13 Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
14 Master of the Day of Judgment.
15 Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
16 Show us the straight way,
17 The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.2286 On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (pray) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; "
What we pray for
4103 When ye pass (Congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah's praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up Regular prayers For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.
11114 And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night For those things, that are good remove those that are evil Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord)
17110 Say "Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well) for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak thy prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between."
2014 "Verily, I am Allah. There is no god but I So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.
2441 Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.2945 Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular prayer for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.
425 The heavens are almost rent asunder from above them (by Him Glory) and the angels celebrate the Praises of their Lord, and pray for forgiveness for (all) beings on earth Behold! Verily Allah is He, the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
4829 Muhammad is the apostle of Allah. and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat; and their similitude in the Gospel is like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a great Reward.
1103 Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness For He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy).How we should pray
232 Those who humble themselves in their prayers;
239 And who (strictly) guard their prayers;-
2238 Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).
317 Those who show patience, Firmness and self-control; who are true (in word and deed); who worship devoutly; who spend (in the way of Allah.; and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning.
4102 When thou (O Messenger. art with them, and standest to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee, Taking their arms with them When they finish their prostrations, let them Take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed - and let them pray with thee, Taking all precaution, and bearing arms the Unbelievers wish, if ye were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to assault you in a single rush. But there is no blame on you if ye put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because ye are ill; but take (every) precaution for yourselves. For the Unbelievers Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment.
729 Say "My Lord hath commanded justice; and that ye set your whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making your devotion sincere as in His sight such as He created you in the beginning, so shall ye return."
731 O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer eat and drink But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.
1778 Establish regular prayers - at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning prayer and reading for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony.
1779 And pray in the small watches of the morning (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee soon will thy Lord raise thee to a Station of Praise and Glory!
7320 Thy Lord doth know that thou standest forth (to prayer) nigh two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so doth a party of those with thee. But Allah doth appoint night and day in due measure He knoweth that ye are unable to keep count thereof. So He hath turned to you (in mercy); read ye, therefore, of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you. He knoweth that there may be (some) among you in ill-health; others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah's bounty; yet others fighting in Allah's Cause, read ye, therefore, as much of the Qur'an as may be easy (for you); and establish regular prayer and give regular Charity; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls ye shall find it in Allah's Presence,- yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of Allah, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
How not to pray
443O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity(Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.
4142 The Hypocrites - they think they are over-reaching Allah, but He will over- reach them When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance;
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Salaamun alaikum,
It's sad that Toluislam has not escaped their preoccupation with the 'islamic state' concept. To me, this is an indication of the pakistan-ism which is best left behind. Iqamus-salaat can be performed anywhere, anytime is a precursor to iqaamud-deen. You don't need a state for iqaamus-salaat.
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hi Nabi,
which ones? -
Peace be upon you PM,
I think Joe is stating that some of he verses use du'a (call/prayer) while the others use salaa, which is not prayer/call.