Let's Learn how to pray the Sunni way :D
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Peace all,
7531 For he did not believe nor support (salla).
7532 But he denied and turned away (tawalla).From 7531-32, the basic meaning of "salla" is to "go/turn towards" as it is contrasted/compared to "went/turned away". Please see the following link for details about the understanding of "salat"
http//mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/slw.htm
The word used for "prayer" in al-qur'aan is "dua".
In my understanding, "salat" is a "learning connection/link" formed between two parties, the one teaching and the one learning. For example a teacher can form a learning connection/link with the student, so a teacher can "salloo" a student, or a student can form a learning connection/link with the teacher, so a student can "salloo" a teacher.
3356 Allah and His angels support (yusalloona) the prophet. O you who believe, you shall support (salloo) him, and yield completely.
In this verse Allah and His angels form a learning connection/link with the prophet thereby supporting him and the believers are asked to form a similar learning connection/link with the prophet and thus support him. The "connection/link" implies support. How do we support/form learning connection with the prophet nowadays when he is dead ? By reciting, understanding and following the message (al-qur'aan) of course, and that is what we are being asked to do in 3356, not mindlessly blessing or praying for him.
When we are asked to "aqeemu al-salat" for Allah, we are being asked to establish a learning connection/link with Allah by oration/recitation of Allah's revelations and remembering Him.
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Peace
WASALA and SALLA are two different root words in arabic. -
Salam
First of all, you make a good point that there shouldn't be a "sunni or shia" way of doing things. It's my opinion that it does have to be a very personal act. So in that respect I definitely agree with you. Where our opinions differ is your protest of the usage of koran's suras in prayer. "Dhikr" or remembrance of the koran is highly recommended by our Creator and commanded to us many times in the holy book. Reciting God's words is a form of remembrance and more importantly serves as a reminder to the one reciting it. I would 100% agree with you if you meant that if a person has absolutely no idea what the significance of a sura is and is just repeating words with no true lesson learned behind it, then that would be a pretty sorry prayer.But if for example, the person who recites the sura regarding the fate of Abu Lahab reminds himself to always be humble and not arrogant or aggressive, as Abu Lahab and his wife acted, then the purpose is served.
The point is, since the koran is timeless, it is for you and for me just as much as it was for the Prophet Mohamed (p.b.u.h.). There are lessons to be learned and meanings to be sweated over, thought about, debated about and eventually digested and incorporated into our own lives. It's a process we each must make an effort to go thru throughout our lives. And so each of those verses in that book were written for me and you and all of humanity today. So it really wouldn't be so foolish if someone were to recite the holy words of GOD ALONE in and out of prayer in order to remember its wisdom.
Its the other stuff i have issues with... I don't understand for example why the heck do we all of a sudden say Peace be Upon You oh Prophet (Salam 3aleikom ya ayyoha el naby) - as if he hears us!!!! thats kinda funky. What do you personally think about that? I keep saying it anyway until I can live with an alternative. So far I haven't found anything I can live with saying and I'm not an Arabic expert so maybe I'm getting the meaning wrong??? Not sure but it smells a bit fishy to me!
Anyway, excellent topic Good job!!
SalamInstead of "Peace be Upon You oh Prophet", I say "Peace be upon the Prophets, and Allah's mercy and blessings." Because the Quran says make no distinction between them. When saying shahada, I do not mention Muhammad, I say La ilaha.. twice instead. I want to avoid making Muhammad a partner next to Allah in my prayers. The Quran does not tell us to pray like that, hadeeth told Sunnis to add Muhammad to the shahada, they are glorifying the Messenger too much. Did Abraham mention Muhammad or himself in his prayers? Abraham would only praise God and God only.
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Peace be upon you, RightDeen
I agree with you fully! Well said!
That's a really good idea to say peace be upon all the prophets instead of oh prophet. I may have to incorporate that in my salat. I'm so confused about how salat should be performed right now, that i've stripped mine down to the bare bones. At the point when I'm sitting on my knees, I just say the shahada (i say la elaha ella Allah wahdaho la shareeka laho) and praise God mentioning as many of God's attributes as come to my mind at that moment, based on what's going on in my life at the time. So I'm not sure if this is real salat but until I could figure it out, its good enough for me ...
Peace -
peace
i do this right AFTER my prayers. Since prayers are dedicated to God alone. AFTER my prayers (salat) I say
" Peace be upon all the angels, all the believers, and all the messengers of God"
How do I do my salat
almost all of what i say is in English (which is my 2nd and most proficient language) except the opening which I say in arabic (dont have it memorized) Besides the opening, I just go with it, mostly about praising him and thanking him. I do as many units as i feel (usually 2 sometimes 3). Usually i let the heart tell me. There's a specific feeling in my heart I get. Which is the most beautiful feeling in the world. I do it for about 10-15 minutes or so depending on cirumstances. There's no specific time i spend on each position (the positions are the sunni version) I
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peace
I don't understand what "Peace be Upon You oh Prophet" accomplishes. As God already granted him certainty. And are your prayers to muhammad or God? So imagine God is standing right in front of you and you are praying to him and you say 'peace be upon you oh prophet'. Does that make sense?
God bless
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Peace Imran K
I totally agree with you. Sounds a bit asinine to be talking to dead people anyway D
Peace -
salam soul (what's your name? )
Sounds a bit asinine to be talking to dead people anyway
Haha, very funny.. Jack bauer would be proud ;D
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Salam Imran K
the name's soul ... soul2squeeze to be exact.... yay
lol i could be such a child sometimes rotfl
peace
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salam
the name's soul ... soul2squeeze to be exact....
haha sorry missed that part
lol i could be such a child sometimes
can't we all