Salaat: Have you thought about it?

2012
Foreward
Salaamun Alaikum readers, We are here to discuss whether or not if Salaat is prayer, or a command of Allah to rehearse, ponder & reflect, and follow closely. This has been a project which I have personally focused on for Months, due to the fact that there is no actual explanation of how to perform Salaat. This PDF contains Definitions, a indepth Analysis on the Core foundation of Salaat, as well as what does Salaat commands. Its been a long time coming, so I will like to thank Allah, for sending Humankind the Qur'an as a guidance, for opening my eyes and giving me the insight to see what Salaat really is, Giving me the means to understand, and use my reason and common sense. I will also like to thank my family, who supported me through this study, and also assisted me in times of need. I will also like to thank the Group, "Why Do They not Study the Qur'an Carefully", as without them, I would not have taken this Endeavor to understand what salaat was. Many times has this question been presented by the Sunnis, as a means to trap us who follow Al Qur'an as the sole source of guidance, in order to bring us all back to Jahilyah. Many times, has some of us attempted to Justify Salaat being a prayer, in order to appease people, or simply from personal desireto do what they have known as Muslims. But this PDF will be questioning that; this PDF will be contesting those claims. And now, presenting the study of Aqimah as Salaat.

And certainly We have Explained in detail for men in this Quran every kind of description, but most men consent to naught save denying. (Q. 17:89)

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The Purpose of Al-Quran
Will they not then ponder on the Quran? And if it were from any other than Allah, they would have found in it many contradictions.(Q. 4:82) 1st and Foremost, The Qur'an's purpose will be discussed. What is the Qur'an? It is a book, which was sent down for Our Guidance: "The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the Criterion. "(Q. 2:185)

The Qur'an is Clear, concise/repetitive, fully explained in Detail, and is the Best explanation:

He it is Who has revealed the Book to thee; some of its verses are decisive -- they are the basis of the Book -- and others are repetitive. Then those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part of it which is repetitive, seeking to mislead, and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. And none knows its interpretation save Allah, and those firmly rooted in knowledge. They say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord. And none mind except men of understanding. (Q. 3:7) A.L.R. A Book, whose verses are characterized by wisdom, then they are made plain, from One Wise, Aware(Q. 11:1)

Shall I then seek a judge other than Allah, when He it is Who has sent down to you the Book fully explained. And those whom We have given the Book know that it is revealed by thy Lord with truth, so be not thou of the disputers.(Q. 6:114) The Qur'an, Being the book revealed to us from Allah, is called the Best Hadith. We are challenged by Allah, to produce even one Sura of the like. The Purpose of the Qur'an, is to Guide to what is upright. Now, as we know that Al Qur'an was sent as the Guidance for all of Mankind, and that there is no error within it being fully explained in detail, lets see what the Qur'an says about Salaat.

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Salaat: Have you thought about it? 2012

Salaat: Prayer, or Adherence?
And as for those who hold fast by the Book and Establishes the Salaat -- surely We waste not the reward of the reformers.(Q. 7:170) We will 1st refer to Lane's Lexicon for a Definition of Salaawat: = Sad-Lam-Waw = prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnify, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached.In a horse race when the second horse follows the first one so closely that its head always overlaps the first horses body that horse is called AL-MUSSALLI (i.e. the one who follows closely / remains attached).Central portion of the back, portion from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump. Lanes Lexicon, Vol. 4, Pg. 1720-1721 Seeing as there are no ayats, detailing the movements performed in the ritual interpretation of Salaat, It is a obligation to use the Qur'an to actually show what Salaat is. Lets start with what we are supposed to do with the Qur'an: And it is a Quran We have made distinct, so that thou mayest read it to the people by slow degrees, and We have revealed it in portions.(Q. 17:106) Salaat is rooted with rehearsing the Qur'an. It is done in order to remember, and Also to remind us of our duties. With clear arguments and Scriptures. And We have revealed to thee the Reminder that thou mayest make clear to men that which has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect.(Q. 16:44) And thus have We sent it down an Arabic Quran, and have distinctly set forth therein of threats that they may guard against evil, or that it may be a reminder for them.(Q. 20:113) We know best what they say, and thou art not one to compel them. So remind by means of the Quran him who fears My threat.(Q. 50:45)

Thus, Allah says Directly what Salaat is for: Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book and establish the Salaat. Surely salaat
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keeps (one) away from indecency and evil; and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest (force). And Allah knows what you do. (Q. 29:45) Connecting the context, Allah tells us:That the Qur'an is a guide to what is upright, and to be recited to the people in portionsSalaat is done for remembrance, and keeps us from evil and indecency.Remembrance is rehearsing the Qur'an to your own self, and mankind, in order to ponder, and reflect off the verses, in order to be reminded of your duties. With that said, it starts to become clear what Salaat really entails. It is not a Prayer which is to be done to Allah, but a means of remembrance and a command to follow what was revealed closely after deep reflection on the Ayats. The question we must now ask is:If the Qur'an was sent as a guidance for us to Read, Ponder & Reflect, Follow closely, and Rehearse, and that Establishing Salaat is done for remembrance, then how can it be a prayer to Allah, when the Qur'an was sent down to us? Also, another Question to wonder is, where is the ayat which states that Salaat is to be recited to Allah, or to the people or Allah? Salaat also has a alternate meaning besides following closely, it also means to adherence. Proof of this is in the following verse: So he did not accept or adhered, but denied and opposed. (Q. 75:31-32) here it is obvious that Salaat, which is a noun (used as salla, a Verb in the 2nd form) also means to adhere to or turn towards. It connects with salaat, because when you adhere, obviously you are following directions given through commands or orders. Which brings me to Salaat commanding. Shu'aib's warning to the Midianwere commands that he gave to his people from Allah:

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And to Midian (We sent) their brother Shuaib. He said: O my people, serve Allah, you have no other god save Him. And give not short measure and weight. I see you in prosperity, and I fear for you the chastisement of an all-encompassing day: And, O my people, give full measure and weight justly, and defraud not men of their things, and act not corruptly in the land, making mischief: What remains with Allah is better for you, if you are believers. And I am not a keeper over you. They said: O Shuaib, does thy Salaat command thee that we should forsake what our fathers worshipped or that we should not do what we please with regard to our property? Forsooth thou art the forbearing, the right-directing one! He said: O my people, see you if I have a clear proof from my Lord and He has given me a goodly sustenance from Himself. And I desire not to act in opposition to you, in that which I forbid you. I desire nothing but reform, so far as I am able. And with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to a right issue. In Him I trust and to Him I turn. And, O my people, let not opposition to me make you guilty so that there may befall you the like of that which befell the people of Noah, or the people of Hud, or the people of Salih. Nor are the people of Lot far off from you. And ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him. Surely my Lord is Merciful, Loving-kind. They said: O Shuaib, we understand not much of what thou sayest and surely we see thee to be weak among us. And were it not for thy family, we would surely stone thee, and thou art not mighty against us. He said: O my people, is my family more esteemed by you than Allah? And you neglect Him as a thing cast behind your backs! Surely my Lord encompasses what you do. And, O my people, act according to your ability, I too am acting. You will come to know soon who it is on whom will light the punishment that will disgrace him, and who it is that is a liar. And watch, surely I too am watching with you. And when Our decree came to pass, We delivered Shuaib and those who believed with him by mercy from Us. And the cry overtook those who were iniquitous, so they were motionless bodies in their abodes, As though they had never dwelt in them. So away with Midian, just as Thamud perished!(Q. 11:84-95) In 11:87, after being told what Allah sent them, the people responded, asking Shu'aib if his Salaat command them to forsake what their forefathers served, or that they should not do as the please with their properties. Here, it is clear that Salaat is Adherence, as the command Shu'aib is following closely is commanding them to turn away from their vices. As you can see, Salaat commands us to turn away from desire to do evil and indecent acts as well.

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Conclusion

Allah has revealed the best Hadith, a Book consistent, repeating (its injunctions), whereat do shudder the skins of those who fear their Lord, then their skins and their hearts soften to Allahs remembrance. This is Allahs guidance -- He guides with it whom He pleases. And he whom Allah leaves in error, there is no guide for him.(Q. 39:23) In conclusion of this part of the PDF, You learn that the Qur'an was sent down for our guidance, to guide to what is upright. It is Clear, Explained in detail, and Concise/repetitive. The Qur'an, i did not forget to mention is complete, with nothing being neglected from it (6:115;6:38), so The fact that the Qur'an stands alone, proves that no further explanation of what Allah has given us is necessary for success. We have also established that Salaat does not mean prayer, but that it means To follow closely, or Adhere to, in light of the proofs. We also learned here that Salaat commands us to: Follow what is revealed to you from the Lord, There is no Deity bit He, and Turn away from the Mushrikeen(Sharers).(Q. 6:106) That is the core of what the salaat command of us. Read the Qur'an, Relfect on it, and Follow the commands of it closely. And they cannot bring thee a question, but We have brought thee the truth and the best explanation.(Q. 25:33) If anyone has any Suggestions, Questions they wish to be addressed, comments, Cries and complains, contentions or anything, feel free to Contact me at your leisure at:Yalsabr@Gmail.comwith that said, in the upcoming weeks i will be working on the next part of my document. Until then, May Allah increase us all in understanding and grant us wisdom of His Ayats.

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