What Is Salat?

By Layth Al-Shaiban (e-mail: laytth@hotmail.com)

The word "Salat" and its derivates occur in the Scripture over 70 times and is emphasized by God Almighty as a critical aspect for the development and progress of believers.

This article will attempt to deconstruct the myths and disinformation that have been associated with this topic for far too long.

What is Salat?

According to the Sunnis and Shia, the Salat was decreed by God to the prophet Mohammed during the night of ascension, in which God decreed 50 Salats per day, only to be reduced to 5 Salats per day due to pleading of the prophet.

While the average Sunni or Shai may not have any problem with the above tale, it is not only blasphemous that God would not know what to decree upon His creation, but it is also historically false as God has showed us many times that all the prophets prior to Mohammed knew Salat and carried it out along with their families and followers (see 6:162, 10:87, 11:87, 14:37, 19:31, 31:17).

However, according to the Qur'an, the correct Salat is a vehicle by which help is sought and given and by which people are assisted to avoid evil and vice:

"And seek help through patience, and through the Salat. It is a difficult thing, but not so for the humble" (2:45)

"Recite what is inspired to you of the Scripture, and hold the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do." (29:45)

Can those who carry out the "ritual prayer" claim to have achieved such goals?

Obviously there is something that is wrong here. Either God has not spoken the truth (which is not a possibility), or, that the ritual of Salat that such people carry out has no relation to the Salat that God has spoken of.

Speaking to God Directly?

While many would say we are connecting to God through this vehicle called Salat, we need to remind that God, while always aware of everything we do, is high above being contacted/communicated with directly by us lowly creatures:

"And it is not for any human being that God would speak to him, except through inspiration, or from behind a barrier, or by sending a messenger to inspire whom He wills by His leave. He is Most High, Wise." (42:51)

However, there is one special factor that God has granted humans above all other creation and that is: access to the Spirit!

Soul or Spirit?

In modern times, the word Spirit (Rouh) has been mistakenly confused with and used to mean the same as the word Soul (Nafs).

We can see this confusion very clearly when on the news the speaker would say that so and so died and a prayer will be held for her/his Rouh (Spirit) whereas what they should have said is that so and so died and a prayer will be held for his/her Nafs (Soul).

The Soul (Nafs) is that part that resides in a person, makes them who they are, and is taken by God when they pass away. It is the Soul/Nafs that will stand judgment before God on the day of days:

"God seizes the souls (Anfus) at the time of their death; and for those that have not died, during their sleep. He then keeps those that have been overtaken by death, and He sends the others back until a predetermined time. In that are signs for a people who will think." (39:42)

"And the horn is blown on the promised Day. And every soul (Nafs) is brought, being driven, and with a witness." (50:20-21)

As for the Spirit (Rouh), it is that part of God that has been entrusted to our species to give us authority and knowledge over some of His creation:

"And your Lord said to the angels: “I am creating a human being from a hardened clay. So when I perfect him, and blow of My Spirit in him, you shall yield to him." (15:28-29)

"For your Lord said to the angels: 'I am creating a human being from clay. So when I have evolved him, and breathed into him from My Spirit, then you shall yield to him.'" (38:71-72)

While the Spirit resides in every man, woman, and child of our species, the access to this great gift is only possible under specific circumstances and in a specific setting....Hence: Salat.

Salat = Connecting to God through the Spirit

Transcending the Physical

While most of us may have become completely drawn-in to the material life and the material world, we may see no benefit in connecting through a supernatural element, especially since most people associate spirituality with hippies, Sufis, Buddhists and other such happy-go chanting groups.

However, this is exactly what Satan and his kind want us to think. They want us to stay as far away as possible from God's gift and remain content with our material/physical state.

"O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; he removes from them their garments to show them their bodies. He and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not believe." (7:27)

Seeing our bodies is reverting to our primal/physical states. However, connecting to the Spirit is transcending the body and reaching out to the source that gives our species direct access to the Almighty thus deriving our authority and knowledge.

"And they ask you concerning the Spirit. Say: 'The Spirit is from the authority of my Lord; and the knowledge you were given was but very little.'" (17:85)

How to Connect?

If you have found the above explanation convincing for what the purpose and objectives of Salat are, then the following is the methodology for reaching the elevated state as outlined from the Quran.

Timing for Salat

According to the Quran, the optimal times for carrying out the Salat are during the hours around dusk and around dawn.

"And you shall hold the Salat at the two edges of the day, during the near parts of the night*. The good deeds take away the bad. This is a reminder to those who remember." (11:114)

"You shall hold the Salat at the setting of the sun until the darkness of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the Qur’an at dawn is witnessed." (17:78)

* The above verse is normally translated as referring to three Salat times (the two edges of the day and a part of the night), however, the Arabic word used is "zulfan" which is a plural form meaning "the near parts" (see 34:37, 39:3 for the singular use of the word). The correct meaning therefore is the two edges of the day, moving towards the adjacent parts of the night.

The time frame that is being looked at for the Salat is around 45-60 minutes (from the beginning of sundown until the darkness of the night, and, from the dark part of the night until the first rays of light appear).

It can be deduced that these time-frames are selected based on two factors:

a. the ease with which such time-frame is remembered simply by having the marker of sundown and sunset;

b. the tranquility that these two times posses both in terms of reduced sunlight, as well as the free-time that would be found by such time-frames being before the beginning of a work day or after its end.

An interesting point of comparison is the recommended optimal times for conducting Yoga (a spiritual reaching-out). The optimal times are gives as very early in the morning and in the early part of the night:

"The very best time to practice yoga is first thing in the morning before breakfast. Upon waking, empty the bowels, shower if you wish, then commence the day with your regime of yoga practices. The second most conductive time is early evening, around sunset." http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/advice.html

Purification/Cleansing of the Body

The second step to holding the Salat is one of ritual washing/cleaning of the body using either water or clean dry soil:

"O you who believe, if you rise to hold the Salat, then wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you have had intercourse, then you shall bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or you have excreted feces, or you have had sexual contact with the women, and you cannot not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and your hands with it. God does not want to place any hardship on you, but He wants to cleanse you and to complete His blessings upon you that you may be appreciative." (5:6)

Be of a Clear Mind

"O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving." (4:43)

Being of a clear mind is a requirement to achieving success in the connection through the Spirit.

Be in Groups or Alone

"And if you are with them and you hold the Salat for them, then let a group from amongst them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them stand guard from behind; and let a group who has not yet communed come and commune with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution." (4:102)

"The angels called to him whilst he was standing, Yusali (communing), in the temple enclosure: 'God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright.'" (3:39)

The Salat can be attempted alone or in groups. There is no set preference beyond what works for each person.

Be in a Stationary Standing Position

"Maintain the Salawaat, a balanced Salat; and stand dutiful for God. But if you are in a state of worry, then you may do so while walking or riding. If you become secure, then remember God as He has taught you what you did not know." (2:238-239)

The normal mode for achieving the Salat is to be in a stationary standing position. However, if there are impeding circumstances, then a person may attempt to achieve the Salat while walking or riding.

Have a Purpose

"And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided." (2:186)

Rather than simply connecting through the Spirit for the sake of connecting, the person performing the Salat should have a specific purpose which is identified (seeking an answer to a question, seeking knowledge, making a request, etc.). Calling on God through the Spirit takes patience and effort, both of which are not to be wasted lightly.

Call on God's Attributes

"Say: 'Call on God or call on the Almighty. Whichever it is you call on, for to Him are the best names.' And do not be too loud in making your Salat, nor too quite; but seek a path in between." (17:110)

From the start Salat, a person is to seek God's help by calling on His many attributes. This calling on God may be continued throughout the process as and when required.

Seek Refuge From Satan

"When you read the Qur’an, you shall seek refuge with God from Satan the outcast. He has no authority over those who believe, and who put their trust in their Lord. His authority is over those who follow him, and set him up as a partner.” (16:98-100)

Before moving on to the next step in the Salat (reciting from the Scripture), it is advisable to seek God's help against the interferences of the devil. Such imploring may take the form of a general call for assistance, or, by reciting from the words and verses in the Scripture which implore God's help against the whispers of the devil (see 114:1-6).

Recite From the Scripture, Use an Audible Voice

"Say: 'Call on God or call on the Almighty. Whichever it is you call on, for to Him are the best names.' And do not be too loud in making your Salat, nor too quite; but seek a path in between." (17:110)

"Recite what is inspired to you of the Scripture, and hold the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do." (29:45)

"You shall hold the Salat at the setting of the sun until the darkness of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the Qur’an at dawn is witnessed." (17:78)

The words from the Scripture are the "key" to helping a person achieve the state of Salat. Various phrases may be read out from the Scripture, or various verses, each depending on the need and situation of the person conducting the Salat. Some verses are in the form of a plea, while others are an invocation upon God to assist and to protect from the devil and his whispers/influence. There is no right or wrong in which verses to select. Each verse from the Quran has its own unique aspects and its own unique purpose.

Ask and You Shall Receive

"Surely, those who have said: 'Our Lord is God,' then they did right, the angels will descend upon them: 'You shall not fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news of Paradise that you have been promised. We are your allies in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. In it you will have anything your soul desires, and in it you will have anything you ask for.'" (41:30-31)

God has pledged that He will answer the calls of those who seek Him alone. Amongst those who have designated to respond to the request made through the Spirit are the angels, who have all been commanded to yield to Adam once the Spirit was given to him. As such, it is not uncommon that a person would have their request responded to by angels who are assigned by God through the Spirit to carry out certain tasks.

To support such a statement, the reader is invited to examine the verse below which speaks of God sending the angels to answer specific requests/prayers and to notice the emphasis on the act that is being carried out while such response is received:

"It was then that Zachariah called on his Lord, he said: 'My Lord, grant me from You a good progeny, You are the hearer of prayers.' The angels called to him whilst he was standing, Yusali (communing), in the temple enclosure: 'God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright..'" (3:38-39)

End the Salat

Once the person has connected through the Spirit and has achieved the answers sought or has made the request desired, then the connection is to be ended through a physical acknowledgement (i.e. prostration) and with praise and glorification to God:

"And if you are with them and you hold the Salat for them, then let a group from amongst them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them stand guard from behind; and let a group who has not yet communed come and commune with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution." (4:102)

"And say: 'Praise be to God who has not taken a son, nor does He have a partner in sovereignty, nor does He have an ally out of weakness.' And glorify Him greatly." (17:111)

Believers Vs. Submitters

While there is no doubt that any person may attempt to commune with God as he/she wishes, a study of the Scripture reveals that the main people who will be successful at making the communion on a regular basis are ones who have  advanced to the stage of being Mumins (believers).

“O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.” (The Message 4:43)

“So when you are done making the Salat, then remember God while standing, or sitting, or on your sides; then, when you are relieved, you shall honor the Salat. Indeed, the Salat for the believers is a timed decree.” (The Message 4:103)

While most people may not realize the difference, the Scripture has made a clear distinction between ‘Muslims’ (those who simply have submitted to God) and ‘Mumins’ (those who have advanced and strive with their wealth and lives in the sake of God):

“The Nomads said: ‘We believe.’ Say: ‘You have not believed; but you should Say: 'We have submitted (Aslamna)’, for belief has not yet entered into your hearts.’ If you obey God and His messenger, He will not put any of your works to waste. God is Forgiver, Merciful. Believers (Muninoon) are those who believe in God and His messenger, then they became without doubt, and they strive with their money and their lives in the cause of God. These are the truthful ones.” (49:14-15)

Therefore, if you are not able to commune through the Spirit, do not despair, the communion will happen eventually when you have calmed your mind through patience and have nourished your soul through good works.

Sacrifice

Although it has not been incorporated in the details of Salat above, it is worth mentioning that a possible element which requires further examination is the aspect of “animal sacrifice.”

“Therefore, you shall commune (Salli) to your Lord and slaughter.” (Qur’an 108:2)

While there is an element of animal slaughter that occurs during the Pilgrimage, the above verse seems to be referring to Salat in general. This issue is further compounded when we examine 2:125:

“And We have made the Dwelling to be a model for the people and a security. And you shall take from the situation of Abraham for communion (Mussala). And We had entrusted to Abraham and Ishmael: ‘You shall purify My Dwelling for those who visit, and those who are devoted, and the kneeling, the prostrating.’” (Qur’an 2:125)

The situation of Abraham occurred when he asked God to reveal to him the “rites/method” for which he and his progeny would follow (2:128). Subsequently, Abraham was given a recurring dream of him slaughtering his son, whereby upon attempting to carry out the dream, God gave him a great animal sacrifice to take the place of his son (37:102-107).

Taken as a whole, there does seem to be a correlation between "animal sacrifice" and "communion" which interestingly can be similarly found in the Torah and Bible (that humankind can only commune with God after purifying their souls through a symbolic animal sacrifice - Tent of Meeting). It is left to the reader to discover for himself/herself the truth of such matters.

Beware!

The benefits from being able to commune with the One true God and receive direct feedback and/or answers to prayers cannot be emphasized enough. It is for this reason that we must all be aware that the devil and his followers have this vehicle in their sights and that severing the communion with God and rendering the act to a an empty ritual has and will continue to be a priority item (cutting us off at the source): 

"The devil only wants to cause strife between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to repel you away from remembering God and from the Salat. Will you be deterred?" (5:91)

"Then generations came after them who lost the Salat, and followed desires. They will find their consequences." (The Message 19:59)

"Those who believe, then reject, then believe, then reject, then they increase in rejection; God was neither to forgive them nor to guide them to the path." (4:137)

Now that we have found the Salat once again, will we discard our ability to commune with God and turn the Salat into mindless empty rituals as the generations before us have done?

Will we be deterred?