A newbie question about Salat
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The word Salat. Salat means To Follow Closely, Attachment, Contact, Prayer and many more meanings. If we approach the Quranic Goal to be acknowledging Allah, to be a religious Book focussed on acknowledging Allah, then it is logical Salat means Prayer. But since it is clear WE are the focus of the Quran, then the meaning becomes totaly different.
The meaning of Salat is explained in
2441 Do you not realize that Allah, He it is Whom all beings in the heavens and the earth glorify, and the birds, with their wings outspread, as they fly in columns. All of them know their SALAT and TASBEEH (mission and strife). Allah is Aware of what they do to fulfill His Plan.
Tasbeeh means To Strive Hard, To go on a Quest/Mission, To Take Long Strides. Salat means To Follow Closely.
So in order of the verse, all beings knows what to follow closely to strive hard on their quest, they know their Salat and Tasbeeh.
What do animals follow? Their instinct which tells them how to work the Laws of Nature in the best way so to become the strongest and multiply.
We as humans don't have an instinct on a dominant level. So to follow the Laws of Nature, we must observe them closely. But there are also many Laws we can't observe through Scientific Research. These Laws are explained to us through Revelation. Revelations are Instincts for Mankind to follow voluntarely.
So Salat means to Follow the Divine Laws of Nature and Revelation so we can know how to strive hard on our Quest and Mission.
See rest of the Article
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=13560.0
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praised be Allah, the Compassionate Mercy
salaam arnold
a lengthy post indeed on salat according to parvez. but, it is just another bundle of information, or understanding for consideration. it stops just at that.
we are not saying that parvez's understanding on salat is wrong. no. we do not, and will not do so. he is right. he is right. but that is salat according to parvez.
we are here to share understandings, and not impose understandings. not ours. not yours. not parvez's.
our question is simple; what ever happens to 'jibril'? in 297 Allah says that 'jibril' reveals the content (understanding / comprehension) of al-Qur'an. what has 'jibril' spoken to you about 'salat'?
when we posted those literal translations on 'salat' and its potential radicals of s-l-w or w-s-l, we never ask anyone to accept it. just read them as another bundle of information (food?) for thought.
if we may suggest, please be patient. sleep on it for a few moments, or perhaps even years, before reaching upon a decision. Allah knows how patient, or impatient we are.
btw, has 'jibril' retired from service?
peace
joe
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Salaam Joe,
The person asked people's opinions, and now you reply and even condemn me for giving mine? Interresting behaviour....
As for the 'bundle' of information you have posted on S-L-W, these are taken from a MODERN Arabic Dictionary, the Quran is written in CLASSIC Arabic, maybe some food for thought?
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salaam arnold
our apologies please if you get offended by the remarks.
yes, you are right. the translations were made with reference from a modern arabic dictionary. when you accept the fact that modern and classical arabic have different radicals, then you are right indeed. but, are they?
peace
joe -
salaam aleikum,
Being offended? It shows you are new to this forum
And I advice you to study Arabic and you will see they differ immensely. Modern Arabic definitions were created through taking over Christian, Jewish, Pagan and especially Persian definitions during the Middle Ages. The original Classic Arabic definitions are forgotten. Languages are always changing, evolving. Arabic understanding was changed through secterian theology.
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salaam arnold
you are right. we are a newbie here. in fact, a newbie here, there, and everywhere. so, we have too much to read, and understand. thank you for the very kind understanding.
and you have certainly given us a very important bundle of additional information on modern arabic language. we noted that hans wehr gave clear indications whether such a word has colloq., or foreign roots. but, perhaps hans wehr has overlooked on those. thanks again for your advice.
don't worry. peace we'll take our time digesting your advise, while contemplating on asking Allah, why arabic seems to be getting more and more difficult to understand.
peace
joesalaam aleikum,
Being offended? It shows you are new to this forum
And I advice you to study Arabic and you will see they differ immensely. Modern Arabic definitions were created through taking over Christian, Jewish, Pagan and especially Persian definitions during the Middle Ages. The original Classic Arabic definitions are forgotten. Languages are always changing, evolving. Arabic understanding was changed through secterian theology.
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Salam Joe,
Hans Wehr hasn't overlooked it as he made a dictionary for MODERN Arabic. He didn't intend to make it for Classic Arabic.
This is for example the Classic Arabic meaning
= Sad-Lam-Waw = prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnifiy, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached.
In a horse race when the second horse follows the first one so closely that its head always overlaps the first horses body that horse is called AL-MUSSALLI (i.e. the one who follows closely / remains attached).
Central portion of the back, portion from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump.See the Classic Arabic dictionary of Lane
http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm
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salaam arnold
it is excellent that you are very familiar with lane's lexicon. but perhaps you may want to consider lane's categorization, explanation and suggestions on the potential meaning of the words stemming from the radicals (root) s-l-w. different wazans (forms) could implicate different meanings, that's what our good ustaz told us. and in as far as classical arabic is concerned, we were taught that specific phrases will entail specific meanings. but perhaps, our rudimentary information on arabic (modern or classical) means nothing.
btw, since you have lane's lexicon, perhaps you too may want to consult lane on the words stemming from the radicals w-s-l.
and since you had impressed upon us that there are differences between modern and classical arabic, perhaps you may want to use lane's lexicon and hans wehr's modern arabic dictionary to indicate and emphasize the differences between classical and modern arabic. you don't have to give lengthy explanations (specific references should suffice) as we also consult lane's lexicon for cross checks. the radicals s-l-w and w-s-l should be enough for a start.
patiently we wait, arnold. peace.
joe
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Salaam Joe,
In my former post I gave you the Classic Arabic meaning, may I ask you, did Hans Wehr mention anything about horses? I don't think so, and I believe that is enough already. If you want to know more, then use the search function on this site or go look up my old posts, there is enough info for you there if you take effort.
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Sunni or Shiah way of salaat is perfectly fine. In fact that is still how I pray. I agree that it does not matter how you perform your salaat. What is in your heart is what is important. However, I believe the whole 'remodification' of salat thing would only add to division among muslims. If everybody had different way of salat, we could no longer go pray standing as high and bowing as low together at the mosques. Therefore, I think it is better for us to preserve Sunni way of salat.
peace
In my openion there is no problen in praying in sunni way if you omit ameen" and Tashahud from it.
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