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Salaat
The Philosophy of "Prayers": Salaat:
'Salaat' (Prayers: Namaz) is a very distinctive divine command of Islam. It
is distinctive because it is binding under all the circumstances. You may be
at home or undertaking a journey, in health or sickness, in peace or at war,
what ever the situation may be, there is no exemption or relaxation. 'salaat' has to be offered.
After embracing Islam, this is the commandment of foremost significance, as
in the world hereafter too, salaat will be the first thing to be
interrogated and accounted for. From the moment it becomes obligatory, one
has to offer prayers at all times: there is no concession, no escape, it has
to be offered for the whole life.
Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam, The moment these few words are recited by a person, he is invited
towards salaat. This is the first Commandment which has to be obeyed, and
refusal to submit this very first command by any one will mean he never
believed in Islam from the core of his heart; In other words as if he never
accepted Islam.
According to the revered saying of the holy prophet Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam:
Indeed! The line of demarcation between man (Momin) and polytheism and
blasphemy, is forsaking (this is the difference) of salaat.
(Saheeh Muslim, Vol: 1, Page: 49)
So it is explicitly evident that salaat is something, the forsaker of which
goes back to the group, in which he was before entering into the folds of
Islam. In other words his becoming a muslim carries no weight what so ever.
Disobedience to the very first command of the Supreme Lord (Allah) simply
means that the man did not accept the Creator as his absolute Lord. Instead
he gave preference to himself and his desire over the command of Allah, and
as such became a slave to his own self, not that of Allah. And it is for
this reason that the forsaking of salaat has been termed as polytheism.
In the light of revered saying of the holy prophet: (Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) forsaking of salaat
takes one to a position of sure and certain polytheism and blasphemy. This
statement is a clear indication that there is certainly a mystery, a
philosophy, a force, an institution for training, contained in salaat, which
is necessary for happiness and success in this world and the world
hereafter. Without the institution of salaat, neither in this world one
could live in true joy and happiness, nor could aspire for an abode in the
heavens. So Islam and salaat are integral parts of each other, and the
foremost identification of a muslim is that he offers prayers regularly and
constantly.
Faith (Iemaan) and good and virtuous deeds alone will account for absolution
in the life hereafter. Salaat is itself both, the faith and the virtue. It
will be highly appropriate to call 'Salaat' as "Mother of Virtues". Salaat
is the first virtuous deed, which goes on till the life ceases to exist. For
the betterment and rectification and reform of both, the individual and the
society, there could not be a better, less or rather inexpensive,
educational or training system than 'salaat'. If we could in true sense of
word, appreciate and perceive the significance, advantage and the position
of 'salaat', then our entire life, including all the segments, will be
adorned and decorated; and then we will live the way the life demands from
us.
Allah declares:
No doubt! Salaat restrains from vulgar and evil things.
(Surah: Ankaboot, Verse: 45)
The verse throws light on the objective and purpose of salaat; the purpose
being to educate and train the man in such a manner that evils like
rudeness, bad manners, poor conduct, all are erased and he becomes a well
mannered, well behaved, decent and well cultured person. There is attraction
and beauty in his own self (internally) and in his personality. The
philosophy through which the salaat restrains from evils is also unique and
wonderful. There are innumerable evils and vices in this world, and to
train, educate and forbid one not to commit any one of them, may not be
possible for any one. However, it is quite different in case of salaat. In
'salaat' there is such a dynamic and inspiring force, that the man on
himself starts restraining from evils and vices. In 'salaat' while offering
prayers, all the lawful and just things become unlawful and unjust. Even
there is no freedom of mind and thought, the eyes are under control, the
tongue is locked (no talk is allowed), hands and legs too, except the
movement of salaat, cannot move on their own. Food and water (eating,
drinking) is also prohibited. So in brief, many times in a day, man is given
the training of restraining from lawful and just things, and the exercise is
repeated again and again. So when a man's body, mind and mental approach are
trained to restrain from doing things otherwise just and lawful, then his
mind develops and inculcates, within himself, a capability, a force which
checks and prevents him all the time, and it is very easy to keep away from
the charms and beauty of evils and vices. More over in salaat, the verses of
the holy Quran are recited, which informs the prayer about the evils and
vices. In this way the message is repeated again and again and helps a lot
in guarding against the evils.
Salaat is not only a source of absolution in the life hereafter but it is
also extremely necessary for a good righteous life in this world. It imparts
training regarding good and decent manners of the society. Rights and duties
of an individual and the society as a whole, salaat is an effective and
important tool for making an individual's life beautiful and peaceful. It
always keeps the concept intact and fresh that man is Allah's slave The
moment the 'Muazzin' gives the call: and the words "Hayya Alal Falah" strike the ears, the steps, with fondness and pleasure, start moving
towards the mosque. And this is the training that whenever there is a 'call'
for a good and noble cause, leave every thing aside and respond to the call.
Salaat also emphasizes a lot about personal hygiene. For salaat it is
imperative that we keep ourselves neat and clean, and it is achieved by
means of Wazoo and use of 'Miswaak' for cleaning the teeth and mouth. This
cleanliness and personal hygiene plays a leading role in keeping us hale and
hearty, so salaat is a guarantee for healthy mind and healthy body.
The training, education and the command for offering prayers together in
congregation (Ba Jamaat) provide the very "base" for our social life. There
is assembly of people, from the near by areas, five times in a day. Those
who assemble have the same belief and faith: Theirs Allah is one, prophet
one, book one, the 'Qibla' one: And then they all have 'One Purpose' also.
This concept and philosophy of unity and oneness is a source of education
and invitation for external unity. What happens while offering prayers? All
together, irrespective of old or young, rich or poor, capitalist or the
labour, ruler and the subject, stand in a row, with shoulder to shoulder and
step to step, as if a lead fortified wall. While in prayers, there is
neither some body's place reserved or specified in the row, nor any one
could be removed or asked to change his place. Be the ruler or the subject,
they stand together and the superior does not feel disgraced about it.
Mahmood and Ayaz stand shoulder to shoulder (It is a symbolic expression of
King Mahmood and his obedient servant Ayaz) The very sense of arrogance,
haughtiness and vain vanity, is crushed and trampled over five times a day,
making the mind and soul clean and purified. So this demonstration of our
unity and union emphasizes the truth that we are one people, one Ummah. We
are brother and friend to each other. Our aims and objectives, our gains and
losses are common and shared by all. Just imagine and visualize, what would
happen, if people of a locality with such thoughts and feelings offer their
prayers together? Certainly this would make our days and nights, some thing
real pleasant and peaceful, something to be proud of. And only then we will
be in a position to truly appreciate and realize the significance and
importance the system of salaat has to play in our lives.
There could never be peace and happiness in a society, unless and until
people living there in have been imbibed with the passion and feeling of
listening and obeying. Offering of salaat together in a congregation
provides an opportunity for education in this important direction also. It
does create and inculcate the passion for obedience, respect for Imam,
leader, and reverence to seniors and elders. In an event of an omission or
error by the 'Imam', he is not interrupted or questioned spontaneously or
abruptly, as it amounts to disrespect and arrogance to elders. The respect
and honour to 'Imam' demands that his error ought to be pointed out in a
very decent and nice manner. If there is error in recitation, then the same
verse may be recited correctly by some of the follower; if the error in
other than that then the words ( ' ‚ ‰ ž ž ) ought to be said
reasonably loud to hint the error; meaning that only Allah is absolutely
pure from all errors; and it is man liable to commit errors. Is it not
really an opportunity to ponder? What a beautiful way to rectify or amend
the errors of our guide, leaders and the patriarch. If at all the 'Imam'
does not rectify the pointed error, one is not allowed to leave, and part
with the Jamaat (congregation) The error is rectified in accordance with
the divine law when the "Salaat Ba jamaat" is over. In this way no room is
left for any dissension and discord, which could strike the system of
"Salaat Ba jamaat. This training and education has a great role to play in
our social life as it will totally erase the disputes and discords arising
out of misunderstandings and differences based on interpretations of certain
propositions.
So salaat mends, improves and adorns different walks of our lives. It serves
as a platform, an institution for the training and education of an
individual and the society as a whole. It restrains from immodesty,
shamelessness and evils; teaches a lesson of practical equality; inculcates
and develops qualities like, love, affection, kindness, unity, sacrifice and
selflessness, rendering of obligations and guards from indolence and helps
acquiring self-restraint by practice. Develops quickness and regularity and
creates the passion for listening and obedience. So, the mind, thought and
the self of the 'Praying person' are trained and educated with such a
discipline and control that afterwards he spends his entire life in
obedience to Allah. And if at all mistakes and blemishes are committed, the
process of rectification goes on simultaneously in the presence of an on
going system of training and education and as such there is no turmoil or
disturbance in the society of permanent nature.
Now we are really in a position from where we can understand and appreciate
the importance of salaat, both, in this world and the world hereafter.
However, all these benefits that is goodness in this world and the salvation
in the world hereafter could only be destined when the prayers be offered
according to the way and method prescribed by Allah.
The holy prophet (Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam), was "taught the way how to offer prayers" by Allah
through Gabriel (Alaihi Salaam) Then the holy prophet Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam commanded his
companions: "Offer prayers as you see me offer prayers"
But in spite of Allah's command and the emphasis stressed by His prophet (Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam), things deviated and differences appeared "In the way and method" of
prayers. For a long time, after the death of the prophet (Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam), there was no
change in the manner and method for offering the prayers. Both men and the
women used to offer prayers in an identical manner. However, later on the
difference erupted not only between men and women's manner but also amongst
men themselves. This was just the beginning of deviation from the right and
established way and manner and as a consequence every sect and class started
offering prayers according to its own manner. Although the only, and the
right manner was the manner as described and demonstrated by the holy
prophet Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Now naturally the question arises as what is the lawful or established
manner according to Sunnah for offering prayers? As an authentic reply to
the question this book is being offered.
In the beginning of the "Title salaat" under the topic titled
"Adaab-e-Salaat", attention has been drawn towards all those shortcomings
and inappropriate and undesirable things which are being committed in salaat
by us, consciously or otherwise, erasing the beauty and charm of salaat. And
in such a salaat the heart and the mind are wide apart; there is no sense,
feeling or the element of fear, one must have while standing in front of the
Almighty Allah. There is no spiritualism at all, only the ritualism is
there, withdrawing away the soul from the body. This is not all, such a
salaat, devoid of its true charm and beauty, creates an aversion for those
who are looking at all these rituals. However, just little attention and
effort on our part will reverse the picture, making our salaat beautiful and
charming.
In the beginning of the title, salaat "The significance of salaat" has also
been included. It is earnestly hoped that the readers will derive full
advantage of the topic.
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