Salat (Contact Prayer) According to Quran

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Food for the soul

Every day we feed our bodies with breakfast lunch and dinner. We know that in order to be healthy it is essential to eat meals.

But what are we feeding our souls?

God has designated for us the meal for our souls through our Salat, our Contact Prayer, but unlike a meal for our body our souls are metaphorically disjoined from our body. When we miss a meal we feel the pangs of hunger, but when we don’t feed our souls their designated meals we don’t realize the suffering we are putting on our souls.

And the extent to the damage will be seen on the day of Judgment when we discard these worldly bodies garments and all that is left is our souls our real selves.

We will see that some souls on that Day have been nourished and have grown tremendously while other souls were completely neglected and starving this whole time on Earth.

[101:6] As for him whose weights are heavy. [101:7] He will lead a happy (eternal) life. [101:8] As for him whose weights are light. [101:9] His destiny is lowly.

[7:8] The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose weights are heavy will be the winners. [7:9] As for those whose weights are light, they will be the ones who lost their souls, as a consequence of disregarding our revelations, unjustly.

[23:99] When death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back. [23:100] "I will then work righteousness in everything I left." Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection. [23:101] When the horn is blown, no relations among them will exist on that day, nor will they care about one another. [23:102] As for those whose weights are heavy, they will be the winners. [23:103] Those whose weights are light are the ones who lost their souls; they abide in Hell forever.

[74:40] While in Paradise, they will ask. [74:41] About the guilty. [74:42] "What brought you to this retribution?" [74:43] They will say, "We did not observe the contact prayers (Salat). [74:44] "We did not feed the poor. [74:45] "We blundered with the blunderers. [74:46] "We disbelieved in the Day of Judgment. [74:47] "Until certainty came to us now.”

The Salat is absolutely essential for our salvation in the Hereafter. While it is possible to live off snacks through other forms of worship practices the Salat are the essential meal for the sol.

[75:26] Indeed, when (the soul) reaches the throat. [75:27] And it is ordered: "Let go!" [75:28] He knows it is the end. [75:29] Each leg will lay motionless next to the other leg. [75:30] To your Lord, on that day, is the summoning. [75:31] For he observed neither the charity, nor the contact prayers (Salat). [75:32] But he disbelieved and turned away. [75:33] With his family, he acted arrogantly. [75:34] You have deserved this. [75:35] Indeed, you have deserved this.

[107:1] Do you know who really rejects the faith? [107:2] That is the one who mistreats the orphans. [107:3] And does not advocate the feeding of the poor. [107:4] And woe to those who observe the contact prayers (Salat)— [107:5] who are totally heedless of their prayers.

 

Importance of Salat

[2:3] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.

[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent (الْخَاشِعِينَ / khāshiʿīna = humble / reverent) ,

[2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.

 

Key Purpose of Salat

God speaking to Moses:

[20:114] “I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me.

 

Allahu Akbar

[29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.

29

45

15

وَلَذِكْرُ

and surely the remembrance of

waladhik'ru

ذ ك ر

29

45

16

اللَّهِ

God (is)

l-lahi

ا ل ه

29

45

17

أَكْبَرُ

greatest.

akbaru

ك ب ر

 

What is Salat? 

Consistently in the Quran the world Salat (الصَّلَاةَ) is paired with the Arabic word “يُقِيمُونَ”

yuqīmūna l-salat

يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ

meaning: they observe or perform.

Interesting to note that the root for يُقِيمُونَ is  ق و م  which means to stand, to rise, or to perform (prayer), and also means to establish and people.

So God is telling us that the believers they stand, establish and observe the Salat.

 

So what is Salat according to Quran?

What exactly is being established?

When we perform Salat we are establishing direct contact with our Creator.

Salat comes from the root و ص ل as opposed to the root ص ل و. 

The root و ص ل means: join, unite, reach, connect

We see this same root used in the following verses:

[2:27] (The wicked) who violate GOD's covenant after pledging to uphold it, sever what GOD has commanded to be joined (يُوصَلَ / yūṣala), and commit evil. These are the losers.

[13:25] As for those who violate GOD's covenant after pledging to keep it, and sever what GOD has commanded to be joined, and commit evil, they have incurred condemnation; they have incurred the worst destiny.

Salat is our way to make contact with our Creator that is why it is translated as Contact Prayer.

 

Where did the Contact. Prayers come from?

Abraham

[16:123] Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham (milat Ibrahim), the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.

Milat Ibraham means more than the religion it is specifically mean the religion or practices of Abraham.

All the practices of Islam/Submission came from Abraham, including Salat, Zakat, Fasting for the month of Ramadan, and Hajj.

And we see that Abraham was the first prophet that God gave him the Salat as a gift:

[14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols. [14:36] "My Lord, they have misled so many people. As for those who follow me, they belong with me. As for those who disobey me, You are Forgiver, Most Merciful. [14:37] "Our Lord, I have settled part of my family in this plantless valley, at Your Sacred House. Our Lord, they are to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), so let throngs of people converge upon them, and provide for them all kinds of fruits, that they may be appreciative. [14:38] "Our Lord, You know whatever we conceal and whatever we declare— nothing is hidden from GOD on earth, nor in the heavens. [14:39] "Praise be to GOD for granting me, despite my old age, Ismail and Isaac. My Lord answers the prayers. [14:40] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.

[21:68] They said, "Burn him and support your gods, if this is what you decide to do." [21:69] We said, "O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham.” [21:70] Thus, they schemed against him, but we made them the losers. [21:71] We saved him, and we saved Lot, to the land that we blessed for all the people. [21:72] And we granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift, and we made them both righteous. [21:73] We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe (the establishment) of the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers.

 

Abraham first to name us Submitters or in Arabic Muslims.

[22:78] You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion - the religion of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you “Submitters (muslims)“ originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter.

 

Salat already in existence at time of prophet Muhammad

Ismail

[19:54] And mention in the scripture Ismail. He was truthful when he made a promise, and he was a messenger prophet. [19:55] He used to enjoin his family to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat); he was acceptable to his Lord.

 

Moses, Aaron, Children of Israel,

[10:87] We inspired Moses and his brother. "Maintain your homes in Egypt for the time being, turn your homes into synagogues, and maintain the Contact Prayers (Salat). Give good news to the believers.”

 

Children of Israel

[2:83] We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: "You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat)." But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse.

[5:12] GOD had taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we raised among them twelve patriarchs. And GOD said, "I am with you, so long as you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and believe in My messengers and respect them, and continue to lend GOD a loan of righteousness. I will then remit your sins, and admit you into gardens with flowing streams. Anyone who disbelieves after this, has indeed strayed off the right path."

 

Jesus

[19:31] "He made me blessed wherever I go, and enjoined me to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat) for as long as I live.

 

Idol Worshipers at the time of the prophet even did Salat

[8:33] However, GOD is not to punish them while you are in their midst; GOD is not to punish them while they are seeking forgiveness. [8:34] Have they not deserved GOD's retribution, by repelling others from the Sacred Masjid, even though they are not the custodians thereof? The true custodians thereof are the righteous, but most of them do not know. [8:35] Their Contact Prayers (Salat) at the shrine (Ka'bah) were no more than a mockery and a means of repelling (whistling and clapping) the people (by crowding them out). Therefore, suffer the retribution for your disbelief.

[9:54] What prevented the acceptance of their spending is that they disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and when they observed the Contact Prayers (Salat), they observed them lazily, and when they gave to charity, they did so grudgingly.

This proves that the Salat is something that very clearly predates Muhammad and the Quran.

Hadith Argument

[6:114] Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt. [6:115] The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient. [6:116] If you obey the majority of people on earth, they will divert you from the path of GOD. They follow only conjecture; they only guess.

[39:27] We have cited for the people every kind of example in this Quran, that they may take heed.

[18:54] We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.

 

Quran is the only Hadith we should follow

[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell).

[45:6] These are GOD's revelations that we recite to you truthfully. In which Hadith other than GOD and His revelations do they believe?

[77:50] Which Hadith, other than this, do they uphold?

There are no Hadith explaining how to perform the Salat.

Even if there were do you believe that if it was specified exactly how to do the Salat in the Quran that the majority of Muslims would follow it?

Ablution

If the Salat was perfectly intact in the Quran would you follow it?

[5:6] O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall:

(1) wash your faces,

(2) wash your arms to the elbows,

(3) wipe your heads, and

(4) wash your feet to the ankles.

If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.

 

So why isn’t it mentioned in the Quran how to perform the Salat?

When God tells us to wash our hands to the elbows - did God forget to tell us how to wash?

 

Since the Salat has been in existence since the time of Abraham God did not need to teach Muhammad how to perform it. The same goes for us.

All we need to do is remove the parts that were added. How do we know what is added? Pure logic and reasoning

 

Mentioning only God in our Salat

If Salat came from Abraham and Muhammad was commanded to follow milat Ibrahim, then how could have Abraham mentioned Muhammad’s name in his Salat?

Do you even think Muhammad mentioned his own name in his Salat?

[6:161] Say, "My Lord has guided me in a straight path—the perfect religion of Abraham, monotheism. He never was an idol worshiper." [6:162] Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.

[4:36] You shall worship GOD alone - do not associate anything with Him. You shall regard the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, the related neighbor, the unrelated neighbor, the close associate, the traveling alien, and your servants. GOD does not like the arrogant show-offs.

[39:45] When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.

[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.

Fateah

When Adam slipped by approaching the tree in Paradise he was sent to Earth and he was given specific words for him to be redeemed

[2:37] Adam received from his Lord words, whereby God redeemed him; He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

Similarly, God has given us specific words – the words of Sura 1, Al Fatihah, in order to establish daily contact (salat) with Him, in order to be redeemed.

The only sura that is a prayer from humans to God. Every other sura is from God to us.

[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. [1:2] Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe. [1:3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful. [1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment. [1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. [1:6] Guide us in the right path; [1:7] the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.

[114:1] Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of the people. [114:2] "The King of the people. [114:3] "The god of the people. [114:4] "From the evils of sneaky whisperers. [114:5] "Who whisper into the chests of the people. [114:6] "Be they of the jinns, or the people."

[109:1] Say, "O you disbelievers. [109:2] "I do not worship what you worship. [109:3] "Nor do you worship what I worship. [109:4] "Nor will I ever worship what you worship. [109:5] "Nor will you ever worship what I worship. [109:6] "To you is your religion, and to me is my religion."

When we say the Fateah our lips touch 19 times

For some reason many Muslims they don’t say the Bismallah at the beginning of the Fateah and also add the expression “Ammmeeen” at the end

Amen appears to be of Hebrew origin and was later inserted into Muslim practices

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen

 

Moderate Tone

[17:110] Say, "Call Him GOD, or call Him Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names." You shall not utter your Contact Prayers (Salat) too loudly, nor secretly; use a moderate tone.

Traditionalist will do some loud and some quite

 

Some people think Salat is just getting together meditating, thinking of God, or reading Quran

Stars and Trees:

[24:41] Do you not realize that everyone in the heavens and the earth glorifies GOD, even the birds as they fly in a column? Each knows its prayer (صَلَاتَهُ / ṣalātahu) and its glorification. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.

[17:44] Glorifying Him are the seven universes, the earth, and everyone in them. There is nothing that does not glorify Him, but you do not understand their glorification. He is Clement, Forgiver.

 

God distinguishes Salat from these other things:

[29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.

[73:20] Your Lord knows that you stand / meditate (تَقُومُ / taqūmu) during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you. GOD has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you cannot always do this. He has pardoned you. Instead, you shall read what you can of the Quran. He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of GOD's provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of GOD. You shall read what you can of it, and observe the contact prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and lend GOD a loan of righteousness. Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD far better and generously rewarded. And implore GOD for forgiveness. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[17:78] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.

 

Ritual Prayer

[23:9] And they observe their Contact Prayers (Salat) regularly.

[70:23] Who always observe their contact prayers (Salat).

[70:34] They consistently observe their contact prayers (Salat) on time.

[23:2] who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).

[5:58] When you call to the Contact Prayers (Salat), they mock and ridicule it. This is because they are people who do not understand.

[4:142] The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of GOD.

[4:101] When you travel, during war, you commit no error by shortening your Contact Prayers (Salat), if you fear that the disbelievers may attack you. Surely, the disbelievers are your ardent enemies. [4:102] When you are with them, and lead the Contact Prayer (Salat) for them, let some of you stand guard; let them hold their weapons, and let them stand behind you as you prostrate. Then, let the other group that has not prayed take their turn praying with you, while the others stand guard and hold their weapons. Those who disbelieved wish to see you neglect your weapons and your equipment, in order to attack you once and for all. You commit no error, if you are hampered by rain or injury, by putting down your weapons, so long as you remain alert. GOD has prepared for the disbelievers a shameful retribution. [4:103] Once you complete your Contact Prayer (Salat), you shall remember GOD while standing, sitting, or lying down. Once the war is over, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat); the Contact Prayers (Salat) are decreed for the believers at specific times.

 

Prayer Times

Night (الَّيْلِ) according to the Quran is from Sunset to Sunrise

Day (النَّهَارِ) is from sunrise to sunset

[2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until (layel) sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.

 

24:58 mentions both the Dawn (Fajr) and Evening (Isha) Salat by name.

[24:58] O you who believe, permission must be requested by your servants and the children who have not attained puberty (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances - before the Dawn (fajr) Prayer, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Evening (Isha) Prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another. GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

God informs us about how to determine dawn/fajr from the following verse:

[2:187] ...You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn...

Verse 11:114 indicates the Dawn, Sunset and Night prayer. The day (al-nahar) in the Quran is from sunrise to sunset, so when God commands us to do our Salat at both ends of the day this would be at dawn and sunset.

[11:114] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) at both ends of the day, and during the night. The righteous works wipe out the evil works. This is a reminder for those who would take heed.

The Noon (zohur) Salat is mentioned in 17:78.

[17:78] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.

And the Afternoon Salat is indicated as the middle prayer in 2:238. This is because the start of our day begins with Fajr/Dawn, and we already have identified Noon Salat, Sunset Salat, and Evening Salat, therefore, the middle prayer would be during the afternoon.

[2:238] You shall consistently observe the Contact Prayers, especially the middle prayer, and devote yourselves totally to GOD.

 

Friday Prayer

[62:9] O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew. [62:10] Once the prayer is completed, you may spread through the land to seek GOD's bounties, and continue to remember GOD frequently, that you may succeed. [62:11] When some of them come across a business deal, or some entertainment, they rush to it and leave you standing! Say, "What GOD possesses is far better than the entertainment or the business. GOD is the best Provider.”

 

[2:67] Moses said to his people, "GOD commands you to sacrifice a heifer." They said, "Are you mocking us?" He said, "GOD forbid, that I should behave like the ignorant ones." [2:68] They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us which one." He said, "He says that she is a heifer that is neither too old, nor too young; of an intermediate age. Now, carry out what you are commanded to do." [2:69] They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us her color." He said, "He says that she is a yellow heifer, bright colored, pleases the beholders." [2:70] They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us which one. The heifers look alike to us and, GOD willing, we will be guided." [2:71] He said, "He says that she is a heifer that was never humiliated in plowing the land or watering the crops; free from any blemish." They said, "Now you have brought the truth." They finally sacrificed her, after this lengthy reluctance.

 

[2:45] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.

[2:110] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Any good you send forth on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD. GOD is seer of everything you do.