Quran, the Sunnah of the Messenger

Preface

CHAPTER 8
How To Perform Salaat Then?

This is another question asked by people who want to derive their religion from other books besides the Book of Allah. However, many people fail to realize that the Salaat (or ritual prayer) does not come to us from the books of Hadith. Salaat is a practice that we learn as children through imitation of our elders. Before we look at the important aspects of Salaat as described within the Qur’an, we must justify this imitation.

We again remind the readers of the many Ayaat in the Qur’an, attesting to the fact that the Book of Allah has everything that we need for our Guidance:

“We have put forth for humans, in this Qur’an, every kind of example so that they may remember” (Qur’an 39:27).

"And We have revealed the Book to you which has the clear explanation of everything <wa nazzalna_ 'alaikal kita_ba tibya_nal likulli shai'iw>, and a guidance and mercy and good news for those who submit." (16:89)

“And certainly We have brought them a Book, which We have detailed <Fassalnahu> with knowledge, a guidance and mercy for a people who believe” (7:52)

The reader is reminded that everything that is needed for our guidance is explained in detail within the Qur’an. Therefore, the logical consequence of this is that if we do not find something within the Qur’an, then that thing is not important for our Guidance.

Salaat was not something started by the Prophet Muhammad. It was practiced well before his time by all nations. In fact, the Meccan polytheists also used to practice Salaat, as they were the descendents of Prophet Ibrahim. The reason why their Salaat was incorrect was not because they were doing the wrong actions; rather, it was incorrect because they were not making Salaat to the one and only God. We will see later in this chapter the things that make one’s Salaat invalid. For now we turn our attention to the Ayaat that establish that Salaat is to be practiced at is practiced in the Sacred Masjid in Mecca:

“Surely, the first house appointed for humankind is that at Mecca, it is full of blessing and GUIDANCE for all the WORLDS” (3:96)

“And when We made the house a place of blessing and security for humankind, and TAKE ALL OF YOU FROM THE STANDING POSITION IF IBRAHIM (Muqaame Ibrahim) the SALAAT PERFORMED (MUSAL’A), and We covenanted with Ibrahim and Ismail to purify My House for those who compass around and those who are in retreat and those who bow down and prostrate” (2:125)

The word “Musalla” is from the root word “Salah” just like the word “Musaffa” is from the root word “Saffa”. Saffa means “purification”, and Musaafa means “purification performed”. In the same manner, Salah means “prayer”, and Musalla means, “prayer performed”. The above Verses make it clear that the prayer is to be performed as it is performed in the Sacred Mosque, which is a place for Guidance.

The Qur’an outlines the purpose of Salaat for us in no uncertain terms:

“Nay, seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverance and prayer<asalaat>: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit” (2:45)

“O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere” (2:153)

These Ayaat establish that one of the purposes of Salaat is to communicate with Allah and seek His help and make Dua to Him.

“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing” (2:177)

This Ayah establishes that body movements of turning this way or that way is not righteousness, but righteousness is to do good deeds and establish Salaat. Thus one of the purposes of Salaat is to make us pure and help us do righteous deeds and ask for repentance if we make a mistake.

“Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will you not then abstain?” (5:91)

“Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to you, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that you do.” (29:45)

Here Shaitaan’s plan is given in opposition to Salaat and Allah’s remembrance. Thus the purpose of Salaat is to also to keep remembering Allah and to guard against Shaitaan’s evil temptations.

“Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So serve you Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise” (20:14)

One of the most important purposes of Salaat is to celebrate the praise of Allah and keep reminding ourselves for all the things He has provided for us.

Now seeing that the Salaat fulfils so many important tasks, which are essential for our well being in this world and in the hereafter, it would seem unfair if it were only for the Muslims after the Prophet Muhammad. Allah is not unjust and He has given the gift of Salaat to all people throughout human history. The following Ayaat establish that people before the Prophet Muhammad were also making Salaat:

Moses and his people performed Salaat:

“We inspired Moses and his brother with this Message: ‘Provide dwellings for your people in Egypt, make your dwellings into places of worship, and establish regular prayers<asalaat>: and give glad tidings to those who believe!’” (10:87)

Shuaib and his followers performed Salaat and were rebuked for that by their enemies:

“They said: ‘O Shu'aib! Does your prayer<asalaatuka> command you that we leave off the worship which our fathers practiced, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? Truly, you are the one that forbears with faults and is right-minded!’” (11:87)

Jesus made Salaat all his life:

“And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Prayer<salaat> and Charity as long as I live” (19:31)

Ibrahim and his followers were performing Salaat and he also prayed to Allah that among his offspring Allah make a people who continue to establish Salaat.

“O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits: so that they may give thanks” (14:37)

“O my Lord! make me one who establishes regular Prayer<salaat>, and also among my offspring O our Lord! and accept You my Prayer” (14:40)

Allah accepted this prayer of Prophet Ibrahim; his son Ismail and those after him continued to establish Salaat as was Ibrahim’s prayer in 14:40 above.

“And mention Ismail in the Book; surely he was truthful in (his) promise, and he was a messenger, a prophet. He used to enjoin on his people Prayer and Charity, and he was most acceptable in the sight of his Lord.” (19:54-55)

The prayer of Ibrahim was not only fulfilled in the line of his son Ismail, but also in the line of his other son Ishaq:

“And We gave him Ishaq and Yaqoub, a son's son, and We made (them) all good. And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practise regular charity; and they constantly served Us” (21:72-73)

“Allah did aforetime take a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we appointed twelve captains among them. And Allah said: ‘I am with you: if you (but) establish regular prayers<salaat>, practise regular charity, believe in my messengers, honor and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered from the path or rectitude.’” (5:12)

One can certainly find other examples within the Qur’an where it is established that all people to whom Allah sent His messengers were commanded to establish Salaat. Thus Salaat is not something, which the people of Prophet Muhammad started, but it has been established for all  humanity.

“And those who were given the Book did not become divided except after clear evidence had come to them. And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true; to establish regular prayer; and to practice regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight” (98:4-5)

In fact, not only all humanity, but all beings (whether living or dead) perform Salaat to Allah:

“Seest you not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own prayer<kullun qad alimaa salaatahu> and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.” (24:41)

Thus Salaat is as universal a concept as perhaps eating and speaking. Perhaps Salaat is even more so as it is also performed by non-living beings in the heavens and on earth. Verse 24:41 also establishes that EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR SALAAT <KULLUN QAD ALIMAA SALAATAHU>. Therefore, according to the Qur’an, Salaat is part of every being’s nature.

Now, according to the Qur’an the most important aspect of the Salaat is that it is performed for none but Allah. This is the aspect of Salaat that is emphasized within the Qur’an. As we saw above that the people of Arabia (being the offspring of Ibrahim) were performing Salaat when the Prophet Muhammad came to them. Why was not their Salaat and Dua accepted by Allah? Was it because they were not making the right number of Rakaas? Was it because they were not doing its actions in a particular sequence? The answer to this is no. The Qur’an, which we have seen above has left nothing out of it, tells us why Allah will not accept someone’s Salaat:

“Say: ‘Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds’”(6:162)

This is the key for the acceptance of one’s Salaat, i.e. that it is for Allah alone. If one performs all the actions of Salaat with all the right number of Rakaas and sequences, but does not make that for Allah, the Salaat is invalid.

“For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon besides Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not: for the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind).” (13:14)

“They will say: ‘Did there not come to you your messengers with Clear Ayaat?’ They will say, ‘Yes’. They will reply, ‘Then pray! But the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but in error!” (40:50)

Thus any kind of prayer is not accepted if it is made to any other being besides Allah. Also if one is a hypocrite and rebellious to Allah, his Salaat and Zakaat are also not accepted by Allah:

“Say: Spend willingly or unwillingly, it shall not be accepted from you; surely you are rebellious<fasiqun>. The only reasons why their contributions are not accepted are: that they reject Allah and His Messenger; that they come to prayer without earnestness; and that they offer contributions unwillingly.” (9:53-54)

Here, besides the prayer for Allah only, another important aspect of Salaat is mentioned, i.e. one must perform Salaat with earnestness and willingness.

Thus we identify the two most important aspects of Salaat: It must be for Allah and must be done with a humble heart and willingness.

“The Hypocrites - they think they are over-reaching Allah, but He will over-reach them: When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance” (4:142)

Here Allah identifies a reason why these people’s Salaat is not accepted. The reasons given are not that they did not do the right number of Rakaas, or did not perform the actions in a particular sequence. But the reason given are two: One, they do not hold Allah in Remembrance; and two, they do not do it with earnestness and humility.

Finally, Allah establishes that going through the actions or Rakaas of the Salaat does not do any good unless the person does good deeds, and understand that the Salaat is for Allah, and Allah is the all-knowing, Watcher of all deeds, hidden or open:

“See you one who denies the Judgment? Then such is the person who repulses the orphan, and encourages not the feeding of the indigent. So woe to the performers of Salaat <Musaleen> who do not pay heed to their prayers; those who (want but) to be seen (of men), but refuse kind deeds.” (Chapter 107)

Here Allah is rebuking the performers of Salaat for what reason? Is it because their number of Rakaas is incorrect? Or is it because their sequence of actions is not correct? No, it is because they do not learn lessons of kindness through the medium (known as Salaat) of communication with Allah.

To summarize, we see that the Qur’an does not emphasize on the different actions of Salaat, but that Salaat be performed with humility to Allah alone and be accompanied by kind actions towards others. Now, the Qur’an does mention some of the important actions of Salaat. These actions are “Qiam”, “Rukuh” and “Sujud”. It also tells us to perform Allah’s Tasbih and Recite the Qur’an during Salaat. Please see for example, 39:68; 51:45; 3:191; 4:5; 5:98; 25:68; 5:55; 38:24; 2:43; 3:43; 9:112; 7:11; 7:120, etc.

In the Muslim World, there are many schools of thought and they all have differences in their Salaat. However, as long as they are fulfilling the basic requirements as outlined within the Qur’an, and are not doing anything that contradicts the Qur’an, then their Salaat is valid as long as it is performed for Allah’s sake only. Who is performing Salaat according to the Sunnah? The answer is very simple – If a person performs Salaat for the sake of Allah in all humility and performs the actions outlined within the Qur’an, and does not do anything contradictory to the Qur’an, then he is performing the Salaat according to the Sunnah of the Messenger.

Some people get very paranoid at this flexible suggestion. They start making unreasonable claims that this way everyone will be performing Salaat in his/her own way. This scenario, Though possible, is utterly unreasonable. We must remember that we are dealing with human beings that are supposed to use their common sense and Aqal as suggested strongly by the Qur’an. The question is why would someone deliberately change the Salaat he has been taught? Let us look at an example to illustrate the situation in a more unbiased manner:

When we are growing up we learn that the word “Apple” is spelled with the letter “A”. When we grow up, we learn that the spelling of the apple is not what is important; rather it is the nutrition of the apple that is important. After learning this fact, do we all start to spell the word “Apple” with other letters besides “A”? The answer is “No!” Similarly, when we are growing up we learn the Salaat from our parents. Later when we read the Qur’an we learn that the “nutrition” of the Salaat is that it is performed for Allah’s sake only with all humility. We also find that the actions of the Salaat that we were taught as a child do not contradict the Qur’an. Why would we suddenly then want to change the actions of the Salaat? Did we change the spellings of the word “apple” when we found out that an apple’s essence is its nutrition and not its spelling?

In conclusion, we must remember that the Qur’an is a complete and detailed Book of Guidance with nothing lacking. The Qur’an has outlined where we should get our Salaat from and it has also identified the “nutritious” aspects of the Salaat in detail. Had every single action of the Salaat been important for our Guidance, Allah would have detailed it in His complete Book.

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