Benefits of the ritual salat?
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Dargento
I have read that article, I meant specifically the traditional 5 times a day ritual performed exactly as the modern day Sunni (exclude Muhammad's name if you will). In fact, it is very limited or restricted by default since none other than God's name may be mentioned in the salat, rendering most of the Quran useless for the purpose (as if telling God to "Say I seek refuge" was not already ridiculous).
As for wudhu, I don't want to know (in terms of a critical look, since it is Quranically ordained). Washing has always been beneficial, as we all know. That's for another thread. I am concerned purely with the Sunni ritual salat.
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See http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9867.0
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JM, why did you reference the above link?
Because it is about the benefits of the ritual prayer. Is it not ?
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See http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9867.0
They gave these advantages
- A lesson in discipline and willpower.
- A practice in devotion to Allah and all worthy objectives.
- A vigilant reminder of Allah and a constant revelation of His Goodness.
- A seed of spiritual cultivation and moral soundness.
- A guide to the most upright way of life.
- A safeguard against indecency and evil, against deviation and stray.
- A demonstration of true equality, solid unity, and brotherhood.
- An expression of thankfulness to Allah and appreciation of Him.
- A course of inner peace and stability.
- An abundant source of patience and courage, of hope and confidence.
Now, we can definitely concede 1.) because a ritual or repeated act fits the glove perfectly. On the other hand - 2.) as everyone knows has everything to do with remembering Muhammad and Abraham, 3.) has absolutely no relation to salat, 4.), same, 5.) is an absolute joke, 6.), may or may not be the case depending on the person, 7.) is twaddle, 8.) is further twaddle but depends on the person, 9.) is utter twaddle, as is 10.) - all those from 1-9 can be achieved by actually following the quran, salat aside.
When we analyze the Islamic prayer and study its unique nature, it is apparent that it is not merely a physical motion or a void recital of the Holy Book.
Is there any truth to that?
Furthermore, as Hlatif pointed to very pertinently, the traditional prayer is practised nearly in the same way by sunni, shia and ibadites. So, it is very hard to imagine (as Aidid Safar claims) it has been fabricated by men (because it would have entailed an agreement between these sects) ; yet it can have been distorted...
Pure rubbish. True? 100%. Useless? 100%. Why? Because Christianity and Judaism all have their rituals intact. I don't see any Sunnis with quranic verses tied to their door-handles. If the sects came after any fabrication, then there would be no need for collaboration.
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the other day i say an image on-line of a man making salat next to his parked taxi, near a busy street, oblivious of the noise around him. it really struck me... to be so faithful and obedient in remembrance of God is, for me, a humbling and admirable quality. when i remember to make salat (as in bowing, prostration, dua), i am humbled, feel more disciplined, grateful, and connected to God. for me, these are truly practical things, as i seek to bring my faith into every aspect of what i do, God willing.
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the other day i say an image on-line of a man making salat next to his parked taxi, near a busy street, oblivious of the noise around him. it really struck me... to be so faithful and obedient in remembrance of God is, for me, a humbling and admirable quality. when i remember to make salat (as in bowing, prostration, dua), i am humbled, feel more disciplined, grateful, and connected to God. for me, these are truly practical things, as i seek to bring my faith into every aspect of what i do, God willing.
Thats the image i dislikes a lot about salat... Here in my country people making salats in filthy places and roadsides just to keep their timings of the salat.
Is salat a timebound duty? does god says that anywhere? cant he just wait and find a clean place or mosque and say his prayers peacefully? -
amin- for me it is not timebound, no. but i will pray on the sidewalk, a grassy field, and other places if the need to pray overtakes me. what i admired about the image was the man's aura of quiet, focus, and remembrance of God even with the world all around him.
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Peace OPF,
Out of curiousity what was your motivation for starting this thread?
Belated reply Would god order us to waste time doing things of no benefit?
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I have read that article, I meant specifically the traditional 5 times a day ritual performed exactly as the modern day Sunni (exclude Muhammad's name if you will). In fact, it is very limited or restricted by default since none other than God's name may be mentioned in the salat, rendering most of the Quran useless for the purpose (as if telling God to "Say I seek refuge" was not already ridiculous).
Dear OPF,
Whilst prayer does indeed serve many purposes whether it be spiritual, mental or physical. I have noticed your criticism of general prayer. As stated many times on this site, salah was done in congregation when the prophet lived. Thousands of people stood besides each other. The chances of it being altered is extremely low. Even the Quran mentions many times prostration and rukuu'. The people in those days recognised what salah was. The people of mecca all recognised how to carry it out. So when the Quran was revealed they all understood what salah is. They even prayed behind the prophet. When we read the quran in salah it is a way demonstrated to us by God of the best way to contact him. The first Surah of the quran is the best form of dua taught to us by God.
As for Chapter 112, it is used in salah, when we say (say i seek refuge or say god is one). It is not a message to god. It is us professing to ourselves. After all prayer is for our benefit not his and this surah sets our minds right on the concept of God. When the verse "Say god is one" was revealed it was not just intended for the prophet but for all of humanity. Similarly to "i seek refuge". We keep the Qul(Say) within the ayah because we do not seek to take a way a part of the quran. Reciting the words of God in prayer is the best way to improve ourselves and bring ourselves closer to the creator. So when we say "Qul huallahu ahad"(SayGod is one) We are in a sense speaking to humanity and ourselves. For this is the message god wants us to contemplate under.
I myself dislike prayer to be a mechanical ritual. It should indeed be expressed from within the heart. But the Quran indeed does clearly specify for us the best way to express ourselves to our lord. And it should be kept in time.
"So woe to the worshippers Who are neglectful of their prayers" 1074-5 Quran
2.) as everyone knows has everything to do with remembering Muhammad and Abraham,
At the end of sallah we say our salams to the prophet and ourselves and then the mu'minuun. Then finally its a salam to all "Asalamu alaykum warahmatul allahi"ie peace to the angels and others.
There is nothing wrong with saying our peace. and there is nothing wrong with remembering pious humans. As long as we are not worshipping them. God many times in the quran reminds us of such pious men and reveals to us the best of their stories so that we may reflect.Peace
