Benefits of the ritual salat?
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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