Salat: Communication Between Servant God
All the prophets of God, including Jesus, attained Peace through Submission -submission to the will of God. Some people feel uneasy when they see words associated with what they perceive as a religion founded by Muhammad. The prophet Muhammad was not the founder of any religion. He only confirmed God's social order which which previous messengers had asked their people to follow.
Arabic terms are used because
they are understood by Muslims throughout the world but they can
be translated into English.
For example, Islam means peace
through total submission to the One God and a Muslim is one who
submits to the One God. The One God translated from the Arabic
word Allah.
In prayer Muhammad the prophet submitted to the One God just the same as the other prophets, including Jesus...
Salah or Salat, is a special word. Salat is understood as a communication, and a special kind of communication indeed, between servant and God. It is an Arabic word from the Quran and describes a unique act of worship of those who have submitted to Allah - the One God. Salat is an abstract noun from the verb Salat and the person who performs Salat, is known as Musolluun, and the place of Salat is called Musolla.
Salat is understood as a communication, and a special kind of communication indeed, between servant and God. It is one of the many acts of submission to God alone.
In the Quran the word for `worship' is `Ibadah', `Dua is for `prayer' and `Sitru' is the word used for `Idolizing'. But the word Salat is used for God alone.
Islam is regarded as one of the youngest religions, but in fact it's origins lie at the beginning of creation. Islam is the same, practical way of life which God inspired all His prophets, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, to preach to their communities.
Say (O Muhammad) "I do not
bring anything new, I bring the same message as previous
messengers... "
(AI-Ahqaf 46:9)
Throughout history God has purged and purified Islam, from human adulteration and restored it to its original purity.
People still deviate from God's teachings , but since the Quran was revealed, and preserved by Allah himself, we have a permanent reference book. So even if people introduce or develop new beliefs which are alien to Islam, we can refer back to the Quran, and find God's original instructions.
History confirms that the instructions for the salat prayer are the same today as they were in the time of the earlier prophets. Washing for prayer, bowing, prostrating and supplicating: these are the same as observed by the messengers before Muhammad.
I am the Lord thy God...Thou shall have no other gods before Me. Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shall not bow down thyself to them nor serve them. (The First Commandment. Bible/Exodus 20:2-5)
And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat; when they went into the tent of the congregation they washed as the Lord had commanded Moses. (Bible/Exodus 40:31-32)
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple... (Bible/Acts 21:26)
The Qiblah, the direction which Muslims face during the salat prayer, was Jerusalem.
Now when Daniel knew the writing
was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in
his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled on his knees three
times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he
did before ti me.
(Bible/Daniel 6.10)
Even during prophet Muhammad's
time , Jerusalem was made the Qiblah, but was later changed back
to Mecca.
The fools among the people may ask, "Why did they change the direction of Qiblah? Say: "To Allah belong the East and the West. He directs whomever He wills to the right path."
We thus made
you an unbiased congregation, that you may serve as witness among
you. We only changed the Qiblah as a test, in order to
distinguish those who would follow the messenger from those who
would turn back on their heels. Indeed, it was a difficult test,
but not for those guided by Allah. Allah never puts your worship
to waste (regardless of direction). To the people, Allah is
compassionate, merciful.
(Al Baqarah 2:142-143)
We have seen your face (O Muhammad)
turning about the sky. Therefore, we now appoint the Qiblah that
pleases you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face, during salat,
towards the sacred mosque (of Mecca). Wherever you may be (O
Believers), you shall turn your faces towards it. Even those who
received previous scriptures recognize that this is the truth
from their Lord. Allah is never unaware of anything they do.
(Al-Baqarah 2:144)
| The action of prostration shows Man
visibly in a weak and humble posture. It is an act of
submission which God demands of everyone, and the
prophets showed this by example: And Abraham fell on his face (BibIe/Genesis 17:3) And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces... (Bible/Numbers 20:6) And Joshua fell on his face, and bowed down... (Bible/Joshua 5:14) And he
(Elijah) cast himself down upon the earth and put his
face between his knees. ...
Solomon had made an end of praying his prayer and
supplication unto the Lord, he arose from before the
alter of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his
hands spread up to heaven... |
Many people refrain from the Salat prayer because they believe it to be too difficult. This is perhaps because they consider salat, the special prayer as decreed by God, too lengthy and elaborate. But they have no basis for their belief because God has said:
And strive in the cause of Allah, as you should strive for Him. He is the one who selected you, and imposed no hardship on you in observing your religion. (Al-Hajj 22:78)
If God has dictated no inconvenience, then why do people find it so troublesome?
Through time, the prayer has been changed and new rituals introduced by the `leaders' , and by doing so they have inflicted great hardship on their followers. But for the Muslim, the Salat prayer is Communication between servant and his Master, and we can find out by reading the Quran, how uncomplicated it really is.
The salat prayer shows obedience to God. Prostrating signifies complete submission. That is why prostration is the essence of the salat prayer. The magnitude of it's importance is highlighted in the following verses:
The day will come when everything
will be exposed; they will be commanded to fall prostrate, but
they will not be able. Their eyes will be humbled and disgrace
will envelope them. They had been asked to prostrate when they
were able.
(Al-Qalam 68:42-43)
The salat prayer is a direct communication with God and for this there are many verses which can be recited directly from the Quran. .
The submitters are those who worship God alone, follow the Quran alone. Any person who follows anything else as a source of religious instruction is defying God's commands.
You shall follow what is sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow any idols besides Him. Though, only a few take heed. (Al-Araaf 7:3)
We revealed to you this blessed scripture for them to study it carefully, and for those who possess intelligence to take heed. (Saad 38: 29)
Indeed, they have rejected the Quran without even studying lt, and without knowing its secrets. Thus did those before them disbelieve, and note the consequences for the wicked. (Younas 10:39)
Allah has prepared for them (the rebellious communities) a severe retribution. Therefore, you shall observe righteousness.
O you who showed intelligence and
believed, Allah has sent this message for you. (Al-Talaaq
65.10)