Salat prayer !!! How can salat prevent alfahsha-i (adultery) literally?
I regularly visit this website and have read many posts on different topics under discussion, especially salat. Different views and various definitions of salat have been presented (assembly, linking, learning process, reaching out, process, follow closely, commitment, strategy, prayer, contact prayer, ritual prayer...and other interpretations) and many will still crop up in the future, including mine. After reading and analyzing the different views, I have come to conclude that salat is not prayer, as traditionally translated. I share the views of Aidid, Wakas and many others.
I hope that my understanding of the word salat may make the discussion more interesting and fruitful. Besides, we are after the best meaning of the Quran . Let me begin my presentation by quoting some verses from the Quran as my starting point.
(7442) "What led you into Hell Fire?"
(7443) They will say "We were not of those who prayed (almusalleena);
By taking the opposite context of verse 7443, one can infer that a praying (salat-ING-anglicized) person, while still living on earth, would be in paradise/garden on the Day of Judgment. To support this assumption, we have to refer to the verses in the Quran which tell or describe the peoples who are or will be destined to paradise/garden. The following verses tell so (not an exhaustive search)
(3335). For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward
(282) But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the Garden Therein shall they abide (Forever).
(18.107) As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have, for their entertainment, the Gardens of Paradise,
(231) The believers must (eventually) win through, 232)Those who humble themselves in their prayers; (233) Who avoid vain talk; (234) Who are active in deeds of charity; (235) Who abstain from sex, (236) Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame, (237) But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;- (23Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants; (239) And who (strictly) guard their prayers;- (2310) These will be the heirs, (2311) Who will inherit Paradise they will dwell therein (forever).
There is no mention of a praying person like the way it is described in verse 3335.All what we see are different groups of people who did good works in their lifetime. Although verses (232) and (239) mention salat , it is the act of doing the salat that is emphasized - being humble and guarding it. I have yet to defer my comments on these 2 verses in my other cases or point soon. (By the way, how does a praying person literally guard his prayer?)
By a thorough analysis of the above-quoted verses, I arrive at my understanding and /or translation that salat is a broad term that refers to ACT(S) OF UPHOLDING, OBEYING, FOLLOWING, IMPLEMENTING, etc. GODS COMMANDS IN THE QURAN. This act is done individually and/or collectively. Every act(s) of ours will be our deed(s).
Now let us try if my definition fits in verses, where salat and its conjugates or derivatives appear, and still conveys sensible meanings.
Case 1
(2945) Recite that which has been revealed of the Book and observe prayer. Surely, prayer restrains one from indecency (alfahsha-i) and manifest evil; and the remembrance of Allah is the greatest virtue. And Allah knows what you do.
1732. And go not nigh to adultery; surely it is an indeceny (fahishatan ) and an evil way.
( Before I proceed, let me be clear that I dont understand Arabic language but I can read. My mother taught me how to read when I was a kid; this is the traditional method of learning the quran - by reading only.)
It is very clear from the above verses that adultery is alfahsha-i/ fahishatan .By using the traditional meaning of salat = prayer, one may ask, how can prayer per se prevent a person from committing alfahsha-i/ fahishatan (adultery) when, after each prayer, such person can commit adultery? In fact, he/she might be thinking of his/her partner while still praying. (I beg the reader to please bear with me if my example seems rude). The only time a person cannot commit adultery is when he/she is actually praying which would take only few minutes.
Now, using my definition an act of obeying/following Gods command - , one can prevent oneself from committing adultery if, only if, he/she follows Gods command resolutely as stated in verses 2945;1732;2568.
I will start my explanation by a narration.
Getting near a person of opposite sex, particularly in secluded areas, is one requisite that can induce adultery. . Lets continue. Suppose a man does meet a woman in secret for good purpose. But during the entire conversation, the attraction between opposite sexes sets in and the duo find themselves heightened by their feeling and they become desirous of each other sexually. In short, the situation is now ripe for committing an adulterous act. But the quran reminds all of us not to commit adultery , as in verse below
They never implore beside GOD any other god, nor do they kill anyone - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. Nor do they commit adultery. Those who commit these offenses will have to pay.
Lets continue further. TO ERR IS HUMAN as the saying goes. So the two were overcome by their desire and lost control, committing adultery. Thus, they violated Gods command; that is, they did not uphold/obey Gods command. Had they followed/ obeyed the COMMAND of God their salat- , the two would have PREVENTED themselves from committing adultery. Commission of adultery in the above example is an individual act; likewise, prevention of adultery rests on the individuals.
Now, we move further in our narrative example. Granting that the two are guilty of adultery, it is now the responsibility of the community/society as a collective entity to prevent future occurrence of adultery. In this case, there should be a constituted authority to carry out Gods command. In verse 2568 and416 God commands us to punish the guilty
The adulteress and the adulterer you shall whip each of them a hundred lashes. Do not be swayed by pity from carrying out GOD's law, if you truly believe in GOD and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their penalty.
The couple who commits adultery shall be punished. If they repent and reform, you shall leave them alone. GOD is Redeemer, Most Merciful
This collective act constitutes the salat of the community an act to implement or execute Gods command - which is done in public for the believers to witness how the guilty ones are punished. This will serve as a deterrence or preventive measure to those who would-be adulterer/ess in the future.
At this juncture, it would be, in my opinion, appropriate to cite the verse
O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to SALAT on the day of assembly/gathering, hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic) That is best for you if ye but knew!
It is a public duty that is, a public salat to implement Gods law publicly. Those who are present at the scene are called to witness the punishment of the adulteress and the adulterer. This will serve as a warning to all. After witnessing the punishment, they can go back to their previous activities. This is just one example of calling people to salat as a public activity and/or responsibility.( Ye are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency . . .) is a point to fonder and consider.
The examples above illustrate how salat (act of upholding, , following , obeying and implementing Gods command), can literally prevent alfahsha-i/ fahishatan (adultery) by action (doing) in accordance with Gods command and not by the ups and downs movements of the traditional prayer (aerobics to Aidid). And I may add calisthenics.
More of my (salat prayer) arguments/views will follow, gw. Constructive comment is appreciated.
akponly
