Sa/atDeep Influence on Man SaJat Deep Influence on Man

he $al81 (Islamic prayer) can be called as T follows:

"The hymn of monotheism and worshipping of the only one God, . " "The hymn which protects man 's personality." "The hymn o/purity and virtue. " "The hymn of peace and good relations with all the righteous men ofAllah. " It is tbe hymn which all must recite five times daily, so that remembrance of and faitb in Allah become stronger, enabling man to sustain and keep alive his high human qualities and guard against tb e deviation from the right Divine path. It guards him too, against the pollution of attributing associates to Allah Almighty, getting morally corrupt by the influence of enticing beauties or j worldly pleasures, fear of the self-centred powers, and disagreement with Allah's righteous servants. It also I safeguards him from all other spiritual corruptions. It is like tbe bymn (that) tbe soldiers recite every morning and evening, to keep tb~ spirit of heroism and courage alive, or like the hymn the pioneers recile 10 strengthen their spirit ofbenevolence and beneficence.

53 What is ~alat (Prarel)? The following Qur'amc verse reflects the profound influence of the "$alll' on the personality of man.

"Recite that wbich has beeD'ICve4led to you of the Book, 8Jld keep up the $alAt. Surely, the $aJAt keeps (one) away iivm indecency and evil. 8Jld certainly remembTllIJce, ofAllllh is the greIltest. 8Jld AOIlh knows whatyou do. " (The,Holy Qur'iiD29: 45) $al8t brings man spirirual felicity and 'prevents his soul from getting dull, sad, and despondent $aJlI is an action which develops the sense of duty and responsibility. A committed man who makes a point of . ' '. performing. illlawAt (prayers) . regularly. cultivates a commendable, habit, and' .at least. respects one moral obligation and Islamic duty." ,This habit discour~g~ carelessness and negligence on his part t owar~ other duties. It makes him a useful person and helps him to progrCi<~s in the course ofhis life. Tbe.Holy,Qur'in says:

~ i ; riitP';';'~ ~~dt ~~i .;:'.-:~1.)J ~ ! :~ .,.:~; ~~?~ ~lJ .~~4! • "And seek help through patience 8Jld ialAt. IlIJd truly it is hard except fOT the bumble-minded. " . who bow that they shs1l meet their Lord, sod thaI they shs1l retum to Him. " (The Holy Qur'lJJ, 2: 45-46)

$s111 to some people seems to be a b\Udensome duty. But to those, who have faith in the eternal life (of the Hereafter) and believe that they should always keep themselves pure, virtuous and away from evil, and strive towards becoming a relatively perfect being so that they may return to Allah, the All-Perfect. the Almighty, the Merciful, is always an exhilarating, delightful and pleasant expenence. right from its early days, bas invited Muslims to perform $alawll (prayers). In the beginning, when none other thaD the prophet (S.A.), his wife Khadijah, and his cousin (uncle's son), •AU (AS.) had embraced Islam, the prophet (S.A.) and 'AU (AS.) used to go to the valleys around Millah to perform $aJll t2 Those who opposed Islam used to ridicule the prayer­ performers and sometimes, even attack and harm them. To perform their $silt in peace, the Muslims used to go to the valleys around Makkah and perform their $a1l1 there in congregation. But the opponents often used to obstruct them, and occasionally, clashes also occurred. 13 The pressure, harm and ridicule from antagonists, instead of discouraging the Muslims from performing their obligatory $aJawl( rather served to increase tbeiI pleasure in performing tbis pleasing duty of worshipping Allah. Prophet Mubammad (S.A) bad told them tbat $a1l1 is the main slogan of monotheism and that Muslims should never neglect it.

What is $allt (Prayer)? " BanD Thaqlf, was one of the great tribes which settled in the city of Ta'tf and its suburbs. In the eighth year of Hijrah, i.e., about three years before the passing away of prophet MulJammad ,(-S.A). BanD Tbaqlf sent some delegates to Madinah to discuss about their conversion to Islam, on certain conditions. These delegates informed the Holy prophet (S.A.) that the BanD Thaqlf tribe would set forth a proposal for accepting Islam that they be exempted from performing the $allfwlt(prayers). The Prophet (S.A) answered: ..... Insofar as ,alit is concerned, if the conversion to Islam is not accompanied by performing the ,alllWlt, then tbis conversion is of no value ... :·H If a Muslim finds himself in a situation where he is unable to perform his $allt in a normal way, he should then do so in whatever way he is able to do in that particular situation like: sitting, lying on bed, riding on a horse, in a car, train or a plane, or sitting behind a tank or any other armoured vehicle, etc. 'ah Salatul-Jama• (Congregational Prayer) Salatul-Jama• 'ab (Congregational Prayer) slam emphasises that Muslims shouW lead a community life, and even perform the IsIl! in I congregation. If there is a , they should perform $Mlt there. Otherwise. they should gather at a suitable place, such as a desert, a school-han, a workshop, a factory, or a bouse. In case there is place where $81ltul-jlUD, '1lb is performed, tben everyone should try to leave his borne or office and join other Muslim brothers there to perform tbe $aJlItogetber. In $SlltuJ-j8I1JI'Ilh, the prayer-performers stand up in orderly rows, all facing the Qiblah. One person stands up ahead to lead the SslA!, and he is called the II imAni' (leader) oflbe $ailtuJ-jamA 'abo $sJltuJ-jllOJ"a.h is normally led by the highest ranking representative of the Islamic government in each region. Or else, people select from among themselves a proper and worthy penon to lead the inll In i.J8IUJ-j4I1J"u. Saratul-Qund and another surah like At-T.wbJd in the first and second ru'llhs are recited by the imlIIJ only. while the other prayer-performers remain silent and just listen. But in the remaining rd. ' l~ all the other prayer phrases are recited together by all .

What is $allt (Prayer)? ,. SaJatuJ-Jumu 'ah (Friday Prayer)

I Salatul-Jumu• 'ah (Friday Prayer) n Friday noon, the Muslims from different areas (within a radius of about six kilometres) o assemble aod perform $IlJiilu~Jumu ·llfr. In this $Il llt, the imam, of the Jaml.'ab first stands up facing the audience and begins his speech by praising and thanking Allah, and by reciting verses from the Holy Qur' an and Hadith. He recites and explains at least one surah from tbe Holy QUI'an. He talks about the teachings of Islam, and discusses the socio·political problems of the Islamic Ummllh. in two sermons (Kbu!bahs). At the end of the second idJu,lbah, everybody stands up together to perform "two·rak'Bii' $aJlltuiJumu 'lIh which is similar to $aiAtuJ­ SuM. In fact, the two Kbulbahs delivered, before the beginning of the $8./1.1, are COUDted as two rak'abs of $S/It. Wherever, a just statesman rules in a dominion, the $s/81uJ- Jumu 'sh must be held. Wherever his representative is present, he himself must personally take the responsibility of leading $s1Alu~Jumu·ah. Ifbe cannot do so, be must appoint someone else in his place. And as soon as the Adblo of $aJAtuJ·Jumu 'ab is heard, all Muslims must stop working and come to the place where the $1liAI is being held.

What is ~a llt (Prayer)'? 63 "0 you wbo believe! When the call is beard for the saJlt OD Friday. then basteo to the "remembraDce ofAllah aDd leAve off t:nUliDg. That is better for you, ifyou know. " (The Holy Qur'lD 62:9) Once the SaJlt is over, everybody can leave and resume his work:. The Holy Qur' An says:

"ADd wbeJJ the pIIlyer (Ssilt) is eJJded, theJJ disperse iD the lBJJd BJJd seek ofAllllh~ grace, IlDd remember Allah much, that you may be successfUl. " neHoly Qur'lD 62: 10) If the government is not beaded by a just man, or if a Muslim community is settled in a certain place where a representative of tbe government of the just Imam is absent, it is better that a just and qualified person be chosen from among them who can deliver two (sermons) before the 1siat, and lead $.JatuJ-Jumu'ah. Otherwise, they can perform $aJ8tu?-~ubr as usual.

The first $aJiituJ-Jumu 'ah after Hijrah When the Holy Propbet (S.A.) emigrated from Makkah to Madinah, he stopped in its suburb at a place called

.. ~ . '~ " -. "Qub~', where a small tribe of Arabs resided: A group of Muslims from different corners ofthe city came to see and welcome the Prophet (S.A.), while some others who were not residents of the city also joined them. The Prophet (S.A.) stayed in "Qub~' from Sunday to Thursday, the period during which he constructed a small mosque which is known as "Masjid Qub~'. This was the first Islamic mosque whicb was built by the MuslimsY On Friday Morning, the Prophet (S.A.) left Quba for the city, along with other Muslims. At noon tbey reached a valley where anotber small tribe of Arabs lived. Here, the Prophet (S.A) performed $aJlIu~JUDJu'u. He first went ahead and stood before the ranks of Muslims present there and spoke to them about Islam. and about their duties during those early days of founding the Islamic government which they were expected to shoulder. in two sermons (kbu./bMJs). Then he led them in congregation to perform together the two·uk'u $B1AtuJ.Jumu'ab.

I

What is Sallt (Prayer)? ., - - $aliitul- 'Id (~e Two-'Id prayers 'Idul-F/lr and AI'Ad1Ja) I

I

I I $alatul- 'Jd (The Two-'ld Prayers 'Idul-Fitrand AI-'A¢ba)

D Islam, there are two formal festivals: .. '!duJ-Fi,.tI' I and " 'Idul-Qurblli' or" 'Idul- 'A(i/)r'. 'idul-Fi/I, is celebrated at the end of fasting at the close of the RIl111a4lD month, on the first of the lunar month "Shllwwn". Muslims, after fasting throughout the month of Rama4AD. break their fast on this day and baving successfully completed tbis sacred worship. celebrate tbis festival together. 'Idul- 'Atffia is celebrated on tbe tenth of the lunar month, Dhul-Jfijjab when the maln part of the /J4.jj rituals has been performed by the Muslims, wh,o go to Makkah to perform Qlljj. On this day. the Muslims sacrifice II. sheep, a I cow, or a camel. a part of which they eat themselves and the remaining meat is distributed to the needy. Througbout the world Muslims celebrate this day, because of the completion of the main part of the magnificent i;Ja.jj rituals. These two great Festivals of Islam are the feslivals of action and deed, D~ng the 'ldul-Fi,tr feslival, Muslims enjoy the feast for having successfully completed their fasting throughout the month of Rama

.9 What is Sallt the Islamic Ummllh for perfonning the magnificent rituals of -Plljj. To celebrate these two annual Islamic festivals, Muslims from every comer of the city or town gather together in a area such as a square, a fi eld or an open area of a desert, or a large ball if weather conditions do not permit an open-air gathering. They then joyfully say together "Alllhu AkbJU", and praise Allah. After this, they start glorifying Allah and perform the two-uk'ah $Ilillin congregation. Al tbe end of the $slAl, the prayer-performers altogether say loudly "Alllhu Akbai' several times. And then tbe imam stands up facing the worshippers, and delivers two khulbllhs (sermons). I Usually after the $8111, tbe worshippers are offered some light refreshment. SallluJ-Jumu 'ab and Salltui-'Jd are not only congregational prayers, but also a symbol of Islamic, social and political unity. Therefore, the responsibility to hold such congregations is among the prime duties of the Islamic government. In places where the ruling government is other than an Islamic one, the Muslims must themselves take the necessary initiatives to establish these pure and valuable Islamic congregations for tbe worship and adoration of Allah, the One, the Unique, $aJAtuJ-jIl1D,'ab, $aJ4tuJ.JllDJu'ah, and $aJ4tuJ- '1d, not only deeply affect tbe prayer-performers intellectually and help them in their spiritual growth, but also strengthen the brotherly feelings among them and enhance their unity and solidarity. These congregational $sJSWlt (prayers) are valuable Islamic symbols that must be carefully guarded and observed,

70 $alatul- :4yat (The Prayer of Signs of the Divine power) $alatul- 'Ayat(The prayer of Signs of the Divine Power) here are people who get terribly frightened and sometimes faint because of witnessing natural T pbenomena like the eclipse of the sun (8.I-KusOiJ or of the moon (v-KhusaJ) [i.e. the interception or obscuration. complete or in part, of the sun's light or of the moon's light by another celestial body.J. earthquakes, typhoons, thunderbolts, storms, thunders, lightnings, floods, and other frightful natural occurrences. In Islam these occurrences, like thousands of other natural phenomena are visible signs of the splendid system of the universe created by the Almighty Allah. Thereiore, these are the signs (lyll) which manifest the wisdom and power of Allah Almighty. Mankind must ponder deeply over these happenings aud should DOt abondon themselves to mere fancy or imagination. So at the time of a lunar or a solar eclipse, one should not undertake superstitious actions or follow the illusive and fanciful beliefs, which are customary among many superstitious tribes and nations,J6 but he should deeply think of AUah, direct his heart towards Him, and perform I two-rd'd iVAt, and thus rid himself of the superstitious I

73 What is Salat thoughts which may result when he witnesses such happenings. Wben there are earthquakes, typhoons, thunderbolts, thunders, lightnings, storms, floods and similar occurrences, which cause general fear and panic, one should only think..of Allah and realise that He has gifted man with the means to Save himself from sucb natural disasters, and thereby escape their fearful consequences. One must find ways and use the means at one's disposal to save oneself and others from these calamities, so at the first opportunity, one must perform the two·rak'sh $slAI, praise and thank Allah, ask him for more and more blessings and mercy, and by such communing with Allah, he can attain tranquillity and peace ofmind. The two·rsk'ab $Sll~ 'Ay.fl is like $811lU$·$uhjJ. The only difference is that in each rak

).1\ . I • ~ !1 .in . .~ ."....r _ ~ Bismi·Lllhi·r·Rll./lmloi-r·Rll./llm \ -. (In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent the I Men:iful)

QuJ y••yyubBl-Kl/irao. (Say: 0 disbelievers!) We then perform the first ruka ', raise the bead after it, stand upright and say:

LA s 'budu mA Is 'budon, (I do not worship that which you worship.

We then perform rukil' a second time, after which we raise the head, stand upright and say: 1 ,.- ,' ",,-, .4 ' to .Jj~~ ~' 'ij Wa l'll11lum ',bidona mA a 'bud (Nor do you worship Him Whom I worship,) We again perform ruka ' for a third time, after which we raise the head again, stand upright aud say:

.... , .. , . - ~... ,-¥' '" .JJ ~~ ~ \ lJ Wsl'Il11A ',bidun mA ·sbadtum. Wallantum ',bidiins mA a 'bud (And I shall not worship that which you worship. Nor will you worship Him Whom I worship.) We then perform the fourth rukti ', raise tbe head. stand upright and say.

75 Wbat is Sallt Lakum dJIJukuro. w.t liya DIIJ. (For you is your religioIJ IJIJd for me is my religioIJ.) (TbeHolyQur'lD, 109: 1-6) We then perform the fifth rukii', raise the head, stand upright and perform sujod twice on the ground. After the second sujod, we perform another ru'ah in the same manner, and then end the S.t1l.t after reciting the tllSbahhud and s.t1lm.

Du '4'Al-Qunill (Supplication) What ever has been said so far is of the wajib (obligatory) actions and recitations in the S.t1l.t Besides this, one can commune with Allah ID his ~.t1awlt (prayers) the way he likes; he certainly wishes to tell Allah about his sorrows and desires, and express love and devotion to Him. This kind of supplication is very good, desirable, and recommended especially in the second m'ab of Sail.f before rukO'. And if one forgets to recite it before the

What is Sallt (Praver\? 76 ruktl' he tall do it right after .nd1J ', and it is called .. qUDDlUI~$allr . Everybody CaD commune with Allah recitillg qUDDt (u shown ill Fig. 6), express love and devOtiOll to Him aDd tell Him about his needs and wishes ill any form or wordillg he chooses. $alatin the Language of the Holy Qur'an I $alatin the Language of the Holy Qur'an From the very beginning of Islam, the Muslims bave recited" BdblJJ and iqlmBli' (the calls for $ltlAl) and the wlJi"b parts of the $8111 in Arabic which is the language of the Holy Qur'ln. Taking iol0 consideration the fact that $allt is very vital and is the Hreat slogan of Islam and the Islamic Ummab, the Muslims of the world should consider themselves as a single, solid entity and a single Ummab. The commOD aspects and means of communication are necessary for the unity and solidarity of an Umma.b. The Muslims organise the grand congregational $alll, $aJltuJ.Jumu'ah, and the $11111 of '/dul- 'At;lI11 during the /llIjj rituals at Mallah every year where hundreds of thousands of Muslims, whose languages are different. gather together from different comers of the world. The essential parts of $11111., and Ildh4D and iqlo1ah which are the calls for $lJllt to tbe public, should better be in ..me common Islamic language so that everybody can understand it. And this common Islamic language should obvisouly be the language of Ihe Holy Qur' An, namely Arabic. The $aJlt, IldblJJ and iqlmllb are recited in 29 short Arabic sentences.

What is Salat (Prayer)'? 8I Learning these 29 Ntlbic sentences along with their clear meaning is easy for anybody who is interested. At present in the advanced countries, one's cognition of a foreign language is considered a part of the general knowledge. A great number of people in these countries speak at least one foreign language. And. this knowledge is regarded as a sign of the growth and advancement of every nation. Therefore, the fact that the Muslims are duty-bound to learn the original wording of $814t in Arabic is in itself a motivation for raising the level of general knowledge of Muslims. So, in the next pages we are going to repeat, one after another, the 29 sentences with their short translations to make their memorisation by heart easier. I

The Expressive Sentences of the Adhiin, Iqamah, and $aiat The Expressive Sentences of I the , Iqamah, and $aJat I A. For AdblD and Jq8mab

AUlbuAkw I (Allah is the Grea.est)

AsblJadu lID I, illb. illa-LJIb (l cleArly observe and bear witness that there is no god, but Allah [the creator of the universe].) ,

';.Iil" IJ,..) •. i..:.;.; ...~'I iiI,!

AsbbMlu UDa MulJ-mmMlAD RtiDlu-LlIb (I clearly observe and bear witness that Mul;lammad (S.A.) is the Messenger of Allah)

.j ~I Jl. :.,; /joyy_ '.J'I-$M1b (Hurry. up to ,ali')

What is $alat (Prayer)? " If.yy. '1Ii81-fllil(J (Hurry up to tbe deliverance.) -.;.;.,-.1'?- -,J' :? J:lltyya '.11. KbllyriJ. '/lDJaJ (Hurry tip 10 tbe besl deed.)

Q.d qlm"i$-,1Ii1b (Indeed $11/11 bas sianed)

AlllhuAkbu (Allah is the Greatest)

Ll ilull illlJ-Lllh (There is no god, but Allah.)

B. For $81111 (Prayer)

AlJlbuAkbu (Allab is the Greatest) , "rJ''" .V-J'" "10111 _ ,....., •, Bismi-Lllhi-r-Rs.tunlni-r-RaqIDJ (In tbe Name of Allah, the Beneficent, th e Merciful.)

AI-HWJdu b'-Lllbi R.bi-/-'118I11lD

" (All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of tbe worlds)

• Ar-Ral)mlDl-I-R8QI (The Beneficent, the Meidful) , ..r.-.. ~Il pt'-.:.u~.. • • MAb'ki Yawmi·d-Dio The Master of the Day of Judgment , ": . , --. ti\i, \ .--!ll.il ~ _ J.- ..I!N _

Jyylkll DB 'budu w.t Iyyas nllSlll 'fo (You ( alon~) we worship and You (a lone) we ask for belp.)

Ihdioa.-$-$irl/sJ-muslaqim (Guide us to the straight path)

I""r-"'""'" ~ i ..;t'. .oj, .Ii,''.r!' · , $irl!II-JllJdbloll an '8tnta 'alaybim (The path oftbose wbom You bave favoured;) . . ',' . ~ ...~,?., " . • • GbaynJ-magb¢ubi 's/sybim (Not (the path) of tbose who incur Your wrath)

, Wa ItH!r.fIIIiD (Nor [of] those who go astray.)

t What is ~ allt (Prayer)? Bjsmi-LJl.bj-I-R~AIJi-r-R6l;JJlD (In the Name of Allah. the Beneficent, the Merciful.)

QuI Huw.t-LJlJJu Mad (Say: He is Allah. tbe Unique.) . ­ ~11lI1.

AllIbU-$-SIUDlW (Allah is free from wan t, and eternally besought of AU.) .-. - . ­ JJ!I! I"",,-J "". - r""" LIUD yaJid wa/Im yo/ad (He begets Dot, nor is He begotten.) !;i~ti :}:;;.i; w. JIl/11 ylkuo labu kufuwlJD .Qlld (And tbere is none comparable unto Him)

SubqlDa Rabbi),.-l- 'Apmi w.t bi-qamdib (My Great Lord is free from any imperfection. and praise be upon Him.)

..~- ' I~~i .. - ~ ~ .:. :Jv- lJ'.) iJ . Sub/JlnB R"bbiYB-J-'A 16 wa bi-Qnndib (My Lord, tbe Most High, is free from any imperfection; and praise be upon Him.)

88 What j, ~ .llt Wh•• Subi;JAD.-LlIlli wn-i;JmJdu /i-Llob; w. II ilob. ina-LlllIu wll-LJlhu Akbar. (Allah is Transcendent and devoid of any imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no got but Allah; and Allah is the Greatest.)

.~;;....) ~ 'J,;.j lill ~!~! ~ ~i 4>;

Asbbadu lID II illhll il/Il-Llib Wa/Jahu II sbrtkll 1M (I bear witness tbat there is no god, but Al1ah - tbe One and Unique and to Him there is no partner.)

Wa .sbbMlu ADDIl MuQllmmW6.D 'Abdubu w" R.saJub. (And I bear witness that (S.A.) is His servant and His Messenger.)

AIJlbumma taJh' 'aU MuQ.mmWo WIl ,Ii MiIQ.mmMi (0 Allah bless Mul;wnmad. and his Descendants.)

~ls" -· ...ill 1.;;.~ ' l ~,\ "'.'j ;'J . 'JJ IS"; ,:t':'l'i"or.. ~ (7-J As-sa/lmu '1l11lykll ayyuhs-n-Nabiyyu wa I r~"tu-L1IJJj W.I wlkltub. I What is Salat (prayer)? 89 (0 prophet! We wish peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.)

, ". -tL.&lIJlI.>ls ' to: ' I'.·jl '-j.!Ji .".., . •..

As-saJlmu "Illayn, WIJ "1111 lbldi-Lllbi-$-$lliQio. (Peace be upon us and all Allab's rigbtoous servants.)

. ;1~~j ~ I W-)j P fi!J i As-s.IImU 'a}llYkum wa r4[Jmatu-LJAbi WB bank8tuh. (peace, Mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you all. Glossary of Non-English (Islamic) Telms Glossary of Non-English Islamic Terms ,------, ,' A ,' '------,

Al-'A 'I.: The Most High, the Most Exalted [8.0 Attribute of Allab] lid, ': Performing the duty duly or in time The proclamation for prayers, generally announced by the mu'adhdhin from the minaret or tower ofthe mosque AUiIh: The Islamic Name for God, the Creator and the Lord of the Worlds ADlbu-Akbu: Allah is the Great (A.S.): short for 'Alaybis-sallm, meaning Peace be upon him", usually said for the infallible Imams or the prophets individually IlShhadu: I bear witness, I testify, 1 declare (that) afternoon, tbe period between midday (noon) and sunset (evening)

What is $alit (Prayer)? 9] Ay ah: Allah's clear and significant sign or proof for His creatures, a Qur 'Anic verse A}·jtPm : th e Great [an Attribute of Allah] r-----, :, B : , ------

B81JO Thaqjf: a large Arab tribe which lives in At-TA'ifduring the eight year of Hijrah. Refer to the story on page (67) of this book. barllkstuh: Allah's blessings (pl ,ofbarak.) bali}: invalid, incorrect

r ------I D : ------dhiia or remembering Allah by uttering some dhikru·L1Ah: words for glOrifying Him, or doiog so by heart. Dhul-l:Iijjah: ao Islamic Arabic month, the last month oftbe Lunar Hijri year (between Dhul-Qi'dab and Mul,larram) Dhul -Qj 'dBb: an Islamic Arabic month before tbe last month of Dhul· Hijjah invocation; supplication, imploring for Allah's blessings and help; prayer

94 r ------I :, F I ~-- --- ~

Fajr: dawn; tbe first appearance of ligbt in tbe sky before tbe sun rises a/-Fa/ab: deliverance from Hell, attaining tbe status of entering paradise Fiqb: jurisprudence of religion's precepts and teachings

r-- ---' : G

'------~

gbus/: wasbing the whole polluted body ritually; obligatory ritual bathing, which is required for certain types of uncleanliness ,r --H- --- 'I '------,

"8yd.. menstruation (monthly period) during which a mature female (woman) should abstain from performing obligatory prayers, fasting and some other obligatory religious duti es; menstrual (monthly) di scharge ofa hot red blood from a woman's womb.

. Wbat is ~la t (Prayer)? 9' j;ajj: pilgrimage to ., that must be made. at least once in life, by every Muslim who can afford it. Q8JDd: praising.of Allah, renerding thanks to Allah IIl-Hijjnb: the migration of Prophet Mubammad (S.A.), from Mecca to Madinah. wbich marks the beginning of the Islamic Hijri calendar. It begins (on July 16th 622 A.D.) r-----, :, I I ------

'ibl.dsb Divine worship; adoration of Allah; (ib,d.tu-LJIb): obedience and servitude to Almighty Allah; pious and faithful deeds evoted to Allah 'jd: feast. festival '!duJ-'Ar,Ib. Festival day on the tenth of the month ( '/duJ-QurbID) : of Dhul-J::lijjab 'idul-FiJr: Festival day on the first of the month of Shawwll celebrating the end of the Rama41n fasting imAm: a religious leader, a leader of a religious group dealing with religious matten or affairs imlmuJ­ a congregational prayer leader jaml.'u:

. - . im8JJJui· an imlm who leads the Friday prayers jumu 'ab: ($sJ4Iu~Jumu'ab) istiM(lab. ex.cessive or (ex.traordinary) discharge ofa yellowish cold blood after the usual menstruation (of a mature female [woman]), or at any undue time, whether little, fair or much. aJ·iqlIIJab: the recitation (ofthe same Ildbln phrases with little difference) directly before starting the $8111 as a call for mental preparedness (towards Allah Almighty) with the intent to pray. r-----, :, J , ------­ jam4 'u : c ongregation, assembly Ai·Jumu'llb: Friday, the name of the last day ofthe week in the Islamic calendar

r-- - - -, 'K

K. ·bab: t he sanctuary oblong stone building, which is also called Al·Baytul·,lf.tr4m, the inviolable sllCred House of tbe Almighty Allah in Makkah, built by prophet IbrAhim (A.S.) and his son Isma' U(AS.) for worsbipping Allah, the One and the Unique. It is also

97 What is ~.llt (Prayer)? considered concourse of people from all over the Islamic world. It is considered too, an important centre for all Muslims' worship, and hence tbey turn their face towards it in prayers. al-KAfirun the disbelievers; unbelievers; those also al-Kuffi.r who reject the belief in Allah (pI. of al-KIOij: Almighty and His Religion KlJayrul- '1lID1li: the best of deeds which is the raJal (performing prayers to Almighty Allah) al-Khusflf the eclipse ofthe moon, that is, the (khusfl!iJl-q8JDIlI): interception or obscuration, complete or in part, of the moon's light by the intervention of another celestial body. Khu./hah: a sermon, especially in Friday ­ Prayer; a religious orland political speech; an address. ai-Kusuf the eclipse of the sun, that is, the (kusilfush-ShllIDs): interception or obscuration, complete or in part of the sun's light by the intervention of another celestial body.

r------, ,' M ,' ------

Al-Madinah an important city in Arabia; it is also or MadinHlr. called Madinatuo-Nllbi (tbe city of the Prophet Mul;lammad (S.A. 1); al so called AI·MadIDatul-MuDawwMah Makkab (Mecca): an important city in Arabia, and a great Islamic centre wbere all the Muslims of the world come to visit it for performing 'pajj pilgrimage, and it includes Ka' bah and AI·~aytul. Harllm, the sacred House of Allah Almighty. It is also the city where the prophet Muhammad (S.A.) was born. Mu'adhdhiD: a person who announces the adhBn aloud calling people for $alA.t musta./1abb: desirable, commendable

r------I , N ,' ------najAsa.h impurity, uncleanliness (PI: DajlSlf): : (adj) impure, unclean Dilks: the condition of discharging (00 blood of a woman after childbirth or abortion mjysb: intention (it is held in mind before starting the main $sllt

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qadi: performing the due duty at later time

What is ~allt (Prayer)? 99 8l-qibJBh: the direction ofK.a' bab which a J Muslim faces at prayer ( : the upright standing in $aUt, upright standing posture in prayers. Quba: name ofa place in tbe suburb of .R Madinah qunOt: raising the hands for supplication (du'I,') during ,aiAt, especially after A, reciting the two surabs in the second J1fk'Bh R AI-Qur'anul-Majld The Glorious Qur'an or the Holy or AI-Qur' Aoul· Qur'An which is the Holy Book of Karim: lslam revealed by the Almighty Allah to the Holy Prophet Mubammad (S.A.) ofislam - as the last and most perfect Divine Book for the whole humanity.

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RabbuJ. 'AlamiD: Lord of the worlds Rabbi: my Lord (Allah) S1]£ (pI: nf=Bh: mercy, willingness to forgive, not to punish; showing ofkindness and SJJ' sympathy to someone saJl. nf=atulJIb: mercy ofAllah iah ruJca ': genuflexion or kneeling down in aN obedience and reverence to Allah y•• Almighty

.... n • • . rak'ab a unit ofprayer (Ialll) consisting of (PI: rak• .•~ : three main postures standing, genuflexion and prostration (aU with recitation) the ninth month of the lunar j{iirl year; the holy Islamic month during which ritual fasting is observed Ar-ri$lllltul­ a treatise on the Islamic rirual I.l1Jllh"yya.b: practices for Muslims. RuJru ': genuflexion; bowing down to the Almighty Allah in humility and reverence at prayer, in such a way that the palms ofthe hands touch the knees.

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Short for"salJl-L1Ahu 'Illllyhi WIl Ah"bi WIl Sll/Jaai' i.e. Allah's peace and blessings be upon him and his descendants. sijda.b an act ofprostration in the $IllItor (PI: sijdltor worship to Allah sijdabs): sllllJIJ: general Islamic greeting $1I11t. Arabic name.for prayer 11$-$lI1ltul­ any ofthe five ritual daily prayers yllwmiyyllh:

101 What js Salat (prayer)? plural of i a/lt [prayer]; Arabic word used for greeting and wishing blessings and peace to Prophet MuJ,lI1nmad (S.A.) and his Household and descendants. SbawwAl: the tenth month ofthe lunar Hijd year, beginning with the break of the fast of Ramac,lan SbJ"ah: Shi 'ites; Muslim followers of the Prophet Mul;lammad (S.A.) and his Household, tbe twelve infallible Imams (Imam 'All and his (II) sons [AS.]) consecutively Sbj', fiqb: Islamic jurisprudence of the Sbi ' ah sect $ubJ;: early morning sujiJd: slate or act of prostration; touching the ground with the forehead. palms, kness and two big tiptoes sarab: a cbaptcroftbe Qur' ln which bas a number ofverses (lyl1Js) SiJrstul-ljlUIJd: tbe frnl chapter of the Holy QUI' ln. It is also named " Al-FlhQah" (The Opening) or "Fs/iJ;stul-Kitlli' (The Opening of the Book), or " Ummul­ Qur'lo (The Essence of the Qur' an). It is recited twice in every daily prayer of the Muslims. It is an essential part of all Muslim worship. in congregation or alone.

.... . - . 1 Sarstut-TswbJd: the Qur'lnic chapter (sarah) of At­ T8wlUd(Monotheism). It has also been called "the essence of the Qur'ln". It was revealed to concisely show the Essence, Onencess and Uniqueness of the Almigbty Allah. It is named too, ..Al-'Jkhl#' (Faithful worship and Loyalty to only Allah Almighty).

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ts '8hin teachings, learnings (PL of ,. 'Um): !iihir: lslamically clean or pure takbiI: saying "ADlhu Akb8r" (i.e., Allah is Great) t8qW8: God-fearing and piety t8J1Jb: the order or sequence as prescribed by the Islamic Sbari' ah tssblb: littering the phrases for dhim-Ll8h like "SUb(l4DS-Llllt'. "Al-I;lIundu-lil­ 18lJ' "AJJ8hu-Akbsi', etc. tsshahhud: testifying to the Unity or Oneness of Allah, and Prophethood of Mu~ammad (S.A.) a ritual substitute for wuqfJ' and gbusl. when for specific reasons, these acts are not possible.

What is ~.lll (prayer)? 103 latbJitb: Trinity, in the Christian religion, the union of the 3 forms of God (the Father, son aDd Holy Spirit) as one God T4W(Jid: Oneness ofAnab.; Monotheism Tawdihul-MIlSI'jJ: the book comprising answers to religious questions and problems according to the Islamic religious laws. ,------, , W ,' ~------

wljib 1- (adi.): obligatory, incumbent (pI. WAjjbl~ : 2- (0.) obligatory duty wljibllU$-$4Jlt: prayer duties or obligations; necessary preliminaries to be done while saying prayers. The most important points relative to l aJlt wllqt: time, a period oftime wudo ': performing ablution; ritual washing for $41It, ritual ablution performed before prayer. ,------, , Z ',, ~ ------'

:(Oubr: noon, midday

The glossary is Compiled and arranged by the editor.

1M Footnotes:

($a.lIibuJ-Bukhlrl, Vol. 9, Ch.pteT 6).

2, The exact sign of1he virtuous time for $618tuJ- 'AfT in the Islamic jurisprudential books, is the time when the eastbound shadow of everything equals its own size,

3, The decisive sign of the sunset in the horizon is that the pinkish evening twilight, seen after sunset in the one-half of the eastem part of the sky, disappears completely.

4- It meaDS the time when the evening twilight disappears completely from the border of the western horizon of the sky.

5. If it is midnight and a man has not ~t perfonned his $411tuJ­ M.ghrib or $6111uJ- 'lshI', he must perfonn it before dawn without making his niyyah (intention) of either .d8' (duly or in time), or q.48'(due at latertime) 6. Adh8JJ and iq8mAh, mentioned here, are as recorded in all the books of Shi'ab .jurisprudence and are according to ~8djth of th e infallible Imams (A.S.) after the prophet Mullammad (SA), narrated in Shi'ah books on ~,djth. In "Ar-RiwlltuJ- 'ArmJiJ'Ylfb Ii rtlw(ji/:Jil­ Mtil '.l1' (Treatise on practical Laws of Islam), Article No. (918), tldhAn and iqlfDllh have been mentioned in the same manner. Thcn in regard to the testification to the WJJly.th (guardianship) of Imam 'Ali (A.S.), the following has been mentioned under Article (919) ''Ashhadu ann. 'AliYYIID W.liyyuJ-LJIh." is not part of Ildhan and iqlmllh, but it is good to say it after "Ash./Mdu 8J1l1Il Muqll11lJ1Udan RllSoJu-LIIIi' with the intention of acquiring pleasure of Allah."

7. Under the following coooitions, instead of Wuda' or with Wuda '

What is $allt (Prayer)'? 105 the whole body muSI be washed. This purification is Clilled . For men and women: (a) After sexual intercourse or after seminal discharge. (b) After touching the (human) corpse which has "gone cold, ami has not yet been given obligatory gbus1 For women only (c) At the eod ofoaY4 (menstrual period). (d) At the end of nins (discharge of blood after delivery) (e) At the end of isti!)8rjM, which is extra-ordinarY discharge of !J!::(ld, at lIoy undue time, whether fair or excessive. Gbuslhas Iwo alternatives: Either (a) ir1im1sJ, by which one should dip ooeself once completely from head to feel; or (b) tartJbJ as follows: First wash the bead, the neck, and hands, then half of the body on the right-hand side, and then wash the other half on the left-hand side. for glJusl il is enough if one washes his head and face, and then uses a wet towel, sponge or handkerchief for wiping half of the body 00 the right-hand side, and then the other half on the left-hand side.

TlJynnmum If water is nol available, or the worshipper, due to sickness or for any other reason, cannot utilize: water for MwurjD" or "gbusl', he, instead, ean touch the clean soil, sand or stone, with the palms of his hands once and wipe his forehead with them. Then once again he must touch the clean $Oil, and or stone in the SIme manner, and draw (wipe) the left pabn on the back of the right band, and then the right palm on the back of the left hand, starting from the wrist and going slowly down to the finer· lips. The Holy Qur'an .says:

"...And ifyou CIIllD()t lind Wolter, bct6ke yourselves to pure soil and w~ your fIIces and your bands with some of it. Allah does nOI desire 10 put on you lUJy bardsbip... " (Tbe Holy QW'8n, 5: 6) 8. Some of the LJlJJ&.s8t (impurities) with which the body and clothes of the worshipper must not be polluted are as follows: o A dog. CJ A pig. a Urine and faeces of human beings, and those animals whose meat is qadm (prohibited) to eat, and whose blood gushes forth, when a blood vessel of theirs is cut. o Human hlood and semen. o Blood and semen of all the animals whose blood gusbes forth, whether their meat is 6~ to eat or ./Jahl(pennitted by Islam). CJ Human corpse without ghuslul-mayyit (Islamic washing of the dead human body before burial) CJ Those animal corpses whose blood gushes forth. 9. For sujodthe forehead must be placed on the soil. dust, stone, or the like, or things which grow out of the soil, but are not used for eating or clothing. A small, round or oblong, earthen piece (turbab) carried. and used for sujOdby us actually made from ,r4luT(purc) and clean soil.

10. This portion of prayer is called " uyhahhud and sa/4aI'. In WArn of the $fJ/41, it suffices to say the: last phrase only, i.e. "M -S&/Arnu '41ayJcW11 wa ra/mutu-L/6bi wa bsraJcAtuli'.

11. In the first and second rak'aIzi of the $ti1tul-$ubq, $a14tul­ MagJuib, and $al4tu1- 'IshI', $fJnJtuI-l;lamd andanothe:r surah like AI-TawtJJd are recited aloud. And in the ~I~-tuhr and $a1ltuJ'Av, these surahs are recited with a very low voice. 12. $inl ibDHish4m, vol. I, p. 263. 13. Ibid, vol. I, p. 282.

14. /bid, vol. 4, p. 18S. 15. /bid., vol. 2, p. 139

16. During the eclipse of the sun or of the moon, it is a common practice among many tribes to beat drums so as to frighten the giant

107 What is ~allt (prayer)? dragons which, accordin! to their belief, come out while swallowing the sun or moon. These giant dragons, described mythically. may be possibly due to the shadow of the earth or the moon, which is the real cause of the eclipses. But there is no doubt that the beating of drums to scare the dragons is a fanciful and superstitious custom. Attached Photos

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What is Sali( (Prayer) ?

The present book is the thrid English edition of " what is Salat (Prayer) 7" • origially written in persian by martyre Dr. M. H. Bcheshti . The book Covers the whole subject of the basis of faith in Islam. Salal (Prayer) . in an expressively concise and practicable style .

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ISBN 964 - 304 _ 027 - 5