Comments/Rebuttal to article by Wakas: An Understanding of Salat from Al Quran

[ImamQuranonly]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

These comments and rebuttals are done with the intent to promote the guidance of Al-Quran only.  I am in now way trying to put down the person of Wakas, but I am instead "putting down" the conclusions that he made about "As-Salaat" from his article and posts here on Freeminds and elsewhere.  I respect him for his works and great contributions over the years that he has provided, even though I disagree with some.  Many of his other articles and post I completely agree with.

I just wanted to make that clear, All praise is due to Allah.

Now to the comments and rebuttal:


An understanding of salat from Al Quran (The Reading)
With the name/assistanceof  The God/Divine, The Almighty/Originator, The Merciful/Embracing (I begin)
Bismi Allahi ar-rahmani ar-raheemi

The root of "salat" are the Arabic letters:

ص ل و (right to left in Arabic)

Saad-Lam-Waw (slw). E.W. Lane's Arabic-English lexicon/dictionary gives the following possible meanings of the root:

prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnify, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached, to contact or to be in contact.

In a horse race when the second horse follows the first one so closely that its head always overlaps the first horse?s body that horse is called AL-MUSSALLI (i.e. the one who follows closely or remains attached).*

Central portion of the back, portion from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump.
*the word 'musalleena' (plural) is used in al quran (the reading), please see 70:22, 74:43, 107:4.But surely the best explanation should be taken from the Words of God, so what does Al Quran (The Reading) say about slw?

So far so good, very good points and information.

In this article I will try to be brief but accurate:

From 75:31-32 it can be seen that the basic meaning of salla* is to 'go/turn towards', because it is contrasted/compared (i.e. put opposite to) 'went/turn away'.
Furthermore, every single occurrence of the root slw is used in a positive manner, thus if this information is taken along with the root meanings, we can expand the basic meaning a little further to: to go/turn towards in a close/positive manner.

*in this verse salat (noun) is in its verb (2nd form) as salla.

Chapter 75

31. For he did not confirm (saddaqa*) nor go/turned towards (salla).
32. But he denied (kaththaba) and went/turned away (tawalla). **

This jump in definition for ?salla? to ?go/turn towards? is far reaching at best.  What is your evidence?  Surely you can?t claim that only this one comparison in chapter 75 ayat 31 is sufficient to come up with a new meaning that no other dictionaries, lexicons or translations contain!

*be careful not to confuse saddaqa (confirm) with saddaqat (charity).
**it is also interesting to note that al quran's rhythmic style is also utilised in the comparison.

One could substitute this term with similar words such as link/bond/connect, remain attached, continue contact, follow closely or commitment, i.e. a word which implies to go/turn towards.

slw = go/turn towards. This is the core meaning of a general concept.

ص ل و   = Sad-Lam-Waw = prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnifiy, 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 horse?s 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. (taken from project root word)

Again, you gave the dictionary meaning above for ?SLW?.  Can you provide any translation, other than your own, dictionary or lexicon reference to show that ?go/turn towards? is a legitimate translation for this root?  I simply do not agree with your assumptive translation here.

Allow me an analogy to demonstrate its general meaning, if I say to you: "go/turn towards justice". You could acheive this in many ways. For example you could start with yourself, make sure you act just, you could become a lawyer, you could help raise funds to set up law courts, you could educate others on justice, give a truthful testimony in a court case, you could become a policeman etc. Note that there are many activities you can do to "go/turn towards justice". In otherwords, to "go/turn towards" something is a general term and can be applied very widely.

(I simply chose "justice" as an example of a concept/object you could go/turn towards, I could have said democracy, wealth, health etc.)

One may ask, well, what are we supposed to "go/turn towards"? It depends on context, however, the core meaning of "go/turn towards" is always implied.

Please apply this basic/core connotation/meaning/implication to any verse with the root of salat (i.e. slw = sawd-lam-waw) to see if it fits. These verses can be found in the following link:

www.irreduciblefifth.force9.co.uk/burhan/b.x.211.htm

(Be careful not to confuse Sawd-Lam-Waw with the root Waw-Sawd-Lam, which occurs in 4:90, 6:136, 11:70, 11:81, 13:21, 28:35, 2:27, 13:21, 13:25, 5:103, 28:51, despite what the above link states)

So you are saying that:

4:43

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى حَتَّىَ تَعْلَمُواْ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىَ تَغْتَسِلُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّن الْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا {43}

Transliteration Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la taqraboo alssalata waantum sukara hatta taAAlamoo ma taqooloona wala junuban illa AAabiree sabeelin hatta taghtasiloo wa-in kuntum marda aw AAala safarin aw jaa ahadun minkum mina algha-iti aw lamastumu alnnisaa falam tajidoo maan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban faimsahoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum inna Allaha kana AAafuwwan ghafooran
Literal You, you those who believed, do not approach the prayers and you are intoxicated , until you know what you are saying, and nor distant from God/impure , except crossing a road/way, until you wash yourselves with water , and if you were sick/diseased or on a long distance travel, or any of you came from the safe and hidden depression in ground used for human discharge (toilet) or you touched repeatedly/touched and felt repeatedly (could mean: had intercourse with) the women, so you did not find water, so wipe your hands and face with dust , pure/good dust, so wipe with your faces and your hands, that God was/is often forgiving/pardoning, forgiving.
Free-Minds O you who believe, do not come near the contact-method while you are drunk, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless travelling, 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 make ablution with clean soil by wiping your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Rashad Khalifa O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.
Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.
Shakir O you who believe! do not go near prayer when you are Intoxicated until you know (well) what you say, nor when you are under an obligation to perform a bath-- unless (you are) travelling on the road-- until you have washed yourselves; and if you are sick, or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy or you have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth, then wipe your faces and your hands; surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Pickthal O ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when ye are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter, nor when ye are polluted, save when journeying upon the road, till ye have bathed. And if ye be ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have touched women, and ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and rub your faces and your hands (therewith). Lo! Allah is Benign, Forgiving.

You are saying that none of these translations have it right, but instead it should be translated as:

?Oh you who believe, do not approach/come near ?the going/turning towards (turning/going towards)? when you are intoxicated, till you can understand all that you say??.?

If that is what you are suggesting, then that doesn?t make any sense to me at all.  That could easily be interpreted to mean not to try and do better if you are intoxicated or have had sex.  Why would Allah tell us such a crazy thing?  Surely this definition does not fit all situations where ?SLW? is used.  There should be no need to give additional examples here.

Once you have done that. You should study the following list in which additional information about salat is presented, from al quran:

mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/quran_on_salat.htm

As you will hopefully see, the concept of slw (i.e. to turn/go towards) is very broad and can be applied to many things. That is why in al quran, we see it being applied in a general, specific and varied manner, e.g:
those who set-up partners can repent and uphold the salat if they trangressed in the system [9:5, 9:11-12]

So again you are saying, [those who set-up partners can repent and uphold the ?turning/going towards: going/turning towards? if they transgressed in the system?  Maybe it is only me, but this makes no reasonable sense to draw any understanding from.

Can salat mean 'prayer' in this verse? Does The God force people to perform 'prayer' or they will be killed? How would idolaters (i.e. those who set-up partners) pray? Does this make sense to you? Please see these verses in conjunction with 2:256. [additional information]

Yes, in the context given, with proper understanding it makes perfect sense.  Please see my rebuttal to your first article on the subject.

The salat can be neglected, in favour of following desires [19:59]

Interestingly, this verse implies following desires is different (or even in contrast) to maintaining/upholding the salat. Where do desires come from? Ourselves. How can we make sure we dont follow our own desires? What should we follow?

ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ {2}

[Pickthal 2:2] This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا {59}

[Yusufali 19:59] But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction,-

قُلْنَا اهْبِطُواْ مِنْهَا جَمِيعاً فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ {38}

[Yusufali 2:38] We said: "Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

فَلاَ يَصُدَّنَّكَ عَنْهَا مَنْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُ بِهَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ فَتَرْدَى {16}

[Pickthal 20:16] Therefor, let not him turn thee aside from (the thought of) it who believeth not therein but followeth his own desire, lest thou perish.

اتَّبِعْ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ {106}

[Yusufali 6:106] Follow what thou art taught by inspiration from thy Lord: there is no god but He: and turn aside from those who join gods with Allah.

Does this answer the question for you of what we are to follow?

One's salat is to/for God [6:162]

salat is possible between people [33:56, 9:103]

That is why when Zachariah calls/prays (daAAwa) to his Lord, he is considered to be in the act of slw (turning/going towards, linking/bonding/connecting) when communication comes to him. [3:38-39, 19:2-11]etc.

To gain a better understanding of The System/Obligation, it is clear a better understanding of al quran would be required. That is why a regular/timed salat is given. In this regular/timed salat, reading / reflection / oration of al quran is prescribed. This can be done alone or in a group/community setting.

Verses linking slw to al quran: 2:43-45, 4:103, 5:12-13, 7:169-170, 8:2-3, 19:58-59, 29:45, 31:2-7, 33:33-34, 17:78.

the salat should be done during/close to the morning & evening twilight times (i.e. 2x per day) [11:114, 17:78, 24:58]

When one undertakes this regular/timed salat, one should follow the specific guidelines given, e.g: be clean [5:6, 4:43] , clear mind [4:43], moderate tone [17:110] (although this may only apply when in groups due to the context of this verse) etc.

This regular/timed salat is only obligatory upon the mumin (believers/faithful/trustful). Mumin is different to muslim. This is a very important point to consider. Who are the mumin? To find out, see the articles below:

www.free-minds.org/articles/gods_system/mumin.htm
www.free-minds.org/articles/gods_system/thetrust.htm

This makes sense because it is only the mumin (believers/faithful/trustful) who are upholding the scripture. For them, to uphold/maintain the going/turning towards (i.e. link/bond) will be more specific and thus directly related to what the scripture contains, hence reading of it regularly.

Pretty much all of this is agreed to except that ?As-Salaat? means ?going/turning towards?.  Rather it is clear from Allah that ?As-Salaat? is the description of a required ?ritual? for the believers to perform at stated times.

Additional reading material.

If you read everything above (including the links) several times, the concept of salat should be much much clearer.

The concept of ?As-Salaat? is very clear.  It is a required ?ritual? described completely by Allah in Al-Quran.  It is a requirement of ?mu?min? (believers) to perform on a daily basis.  I will later make a post showing the different uses of the root ?SLW? to show how ?As-Salaat? is different when used in the Quran, denoting the physical ritual of prayer.

Lastly, I'd like to mention the concept of zakat. A word often used along with salat. Its commonly taken to mean "charity" but charity is only one aspect of zakat*. Its primary usage in al quran is to mean purification/betterment. If this meaning is taken along with what I've discussed here, it makes much more sense:

When one upholds/maintains (aqimu) the going/turning towards (link/bond) one is then in a position to 'bring forth / produce / show' (atawoo) the purification/betterment. Simple. The two terms reinforce and complement each other.

Although I agree that ?As-Salaat? and ?zakat? are closely related, I will deal with the concept of ?zakat? at another time in another post so as to give it its full attention required, Allah willing.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I'll try and answer them if I can.

email the author: 786kas (at) lineone . net

(at) = @
also delete the spaces in the address.

Peace be upon the reader.

NB: an important issue that I have only begun to study is that all the "verses"/signs/ayatin which refer to a time for slw are addressed to the messenger in the Arabic singular (unlike other commands, such as "fasting"/abstinence/sawm), thus may not be applicable to everyone. This for example, may solve the problem of unworkable sun-based schedules in northern countries, e.g. Sweden/Norway during some parts of the year. Also, for orbiting astronauts in space. Therefore, it has been suggested that the timing systems described for slw are meant to be taken as an example, not that they should be applicable to everyone everywhere. Thus, instead of morning & evening, it would be at the start of the working day and at the end (implied in 24:58), whatever that may be for each individual. This aspect of this article will be updated as soon as I have researched it thoroughly.
Please note that 2:185, abstinence is only upon those who are able to witness the month. No such clause exists for salat.

Agreed.  Some of the timing issues with regards to different positions on Earth are necessary to research and get a better understanding for from Al Quran, Allah willing.

*The traditional understanding of "zakat" is that it means "charity". Interestingly, however, even though the word appears over 30 times, not once is it equated/defined as charity, not even a reasonable implication to mean such a thing. The root (Zay-Kaf-Waw) can mean the following: it increased/augmented, it throve/grew well/flourished/prospered and produced fruit, it was/became pure, purification, goodness/righteousness, lead/enjoy a plentiful/easy/soft/delicate life, put into a good/right state/condition, alms, poor-rate/due.

Although I agree that ?As-Salaat? and ?zakat? are closely related, I will deal with the concept of ?zakat? at another time in another post so as to give it its full attention required, Allah willing.

End note: This independent study of slw took place over a period of 4 years. I did not expect to end up with this conclusion, however the evidence was overpowering and I was forced to reject my traditional understanding (based mainly on man-made books) and submit to al quran's teachings. Interestingly, other studies (which I was not aware of at the time) also came to similar conclusions. [see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7]

I have read most of those works and still don?t agree with their conclusions or evidence.  I will continue to rebut them with the evidences that I see clearly in Al Quran.

This article should be utilised in conjunction with the following articles:
mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/Intelligent_Approach_to_Islam.htm
mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/Quran_study_tools.htm

If you are reading this and still feel that salat=prayer, and we should rely on traditional hadith (sayings/narrations/stories) to form the sequence/movements/form/recitations of the prayer, ask yourself: does the traditional hadith contain the necessary information to do this? You may be surprised at what you find: members.aol.com/Mamalek2/qbook11.htm

I still believe that As-Salaat=ritual prayer, but I do not believe that we need ?hadith? to learn all that we need to perform this ritual prayer as Allah has prescribed.  I believe that Allah has provided us with all the necessary guidance in Al-Quran to completely perform As-Salaat!  Please see my posts that contain the Quranic evidences based on the book that I am working on to try and finish soon, Allah willing.

Other sources used to add to or check this article:
Arabic-English Lexicon' by E.W. Lane
'Dictionary of The Holy Quran' by Abdul Mannan Omar
'Concordance of Quran' by Hanna E. Kassis

author of think786.cjb.net
member of the free-minds networkThe above article should be read in conjunction with the following article:
mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/disproved_salatequalsprayer.htm

Looking forward to your comment,

As Salaamu Alaikum, 

[Wakas]

peace IQO.

Thank you for the "rebuttal".

However you clearly did not understand the following point of my article even though it was bold and underlined!

"slw = go/turn towards. This is the core meaning of a general concept."

Most of your comments stem from this misunderstanding. I am happy for members to review my article then review your "rebuttal", then make up their own mind.

Thanks.

[ImamQuranonly]

peace IQO.

Thank you for the "rebuttal".

However you clearly did not understand the following point of my article even though it was bold and underlined!

"slw = go/turn towards. This is the core meaning of a general concept."

Most of your comments stem from this misunderstanding. I am happy for members to review my article then review your "rebuttal", then make up their own mind.

Thanks.

Salaams Wakas bro,

I think I understand what you are saying, it is just that I did not try to take that as the most powerful point of the article.  Many points and words in the article are in bold font and underlined, etc., so there was no reason for me to take it that way.  Even if I did, it is still a major part of the foundation of your conclusions.  I find it hard to accept a completely new meaning that no translator, dictionary or lexicon can support; although I wouldn't say that this is impossible.  I just don't agree with it in this particular case.

I think the key is not just looking at the "root" of "Salaat", but looking at the different forms of the root verb and seeing how they are used and how they interact with other words within the Quran.  This will clearly give different meanings in different ayat so that "pray, prayer" will not be the meaning each time. But this in no way negates the ayat that DO reflect that meaning.  Of course many of the past translators messed it up by translating it exactly the same all the time, but that doesn't mean that they had it wrong EVERY time.

I will make a post showing my understanding of these different uses over the next few days, Allah willing.

As-Salaamu Alaikum, 

[Wakas]

peace IQO,

I find it hard to accept a completely new meaning that no translator, dictionary or lexicon can support; although I wouldn't say that this is impossible.  I just don't agree with it in this particular case.

The core meaning I gave can be evidenced by reviewing every single occurrences in 'al quran', including every form of that root. Furthermore, it is similar to "al-musalli" (used for a horse close to the first in a race, so close as be in "touch" with it so to speak) which is found in Classical Arabic Dictionaries. Furthermore, all possible meanings in lexicons except perhaps rump and central portion of the back are inherently positive words containing the core meaning. Many translators have used the core meaning, such as Parwez.

The above is far from no evidence. It shows you have not reviewed the occurrences in 'al quran' extensively, nor considered the Classical Arabic meanings to find a common theme or what links them etc.

I think the key is not just looking at the "root" of "Salaat", but looking at the different forms of the root verb and seeing how they are used and how they interact with other words within the Quran.

Exactly, and this is what I did. To disprove my point, please bring only one occurrence of the root in any form in the whole of 'al quran' that does not encompass the core meaning I gave in my article. It is a simple request IF your view is correct that is.

[ImamQuranonly]

As Salaamu Alaikum Wakas

peace IQO,

The core meaning I gave can be evidenced by reviewing every single occurrences in 'al quran', including every form of that root. Furthermore, it is similar to "al-musalli" (used for a horse close to the first in a race, so close as be in "touch" with it so to speak) which is found in Classical Arabic Dictionaries. Furthermore, all possible meanings in lexicons except perhaps rump and central portion of the back are inherently positive words containing the core meaning. Many translators have used the core meaning, such as Parwez.

The above is far from no evidence. It shows you have not reviewed the occurrences in 'al quran' extensively, nor considered the Classical Arabic meanings to find a common theme or what links them etc.

I have reviewed the material in question, and it only "your opinion and assessment" that I have not.  Erroneous as it may be, you are entitled to it.  I didn't use the reference you make as conclusive evidence, and as a matter of fact stated that there could be an exception, or that it may not be impossible to achieve a meaning never used.  Please read carefully what I wrote previously.

Exactly, and this is what I did. To disprove my point, please bring only one occurrence of the root in any form in the whole of 'al quran' that does not encompass the core meaning I gave in my article. It is a simple request IF your view is correct that is.

I did that already in the refutationm, please reread the example given.  Your "core meaning" is not as you have tried to describe it here, but it is actually your "definition".  You want to apply the core meaning to all occurances without regard to form and/or subject matter.  This is not necessary or reasonable for ALL words used in Al Quran.

If you want it to mean only being a part of the "core meaning", then please give us your "new definitions" for all of the different forms coming from the root "SLW" and how they should be interpreted at each point in Al Quran.  Since you have not done this so far, then my understanding is that you have applied this "core meaning", hence [going/turning towards] as your definition in each situation.  Until you show me otherwise, this is all that I have to go on from your perspective.

As Salaamu Alaikum 

[TheNabi]

Peace Imam

One instance is all. Not a huge task. One instance. Surely you can oblige.

I hope this conversation will not degrade into a bunch of requests and shootings down.

Joe

[ImamQuranonly]

Peace Imam

One instance is all. Not a huge task. One instance. Surely you can oblige.

I hope this conversation will not degrade into a bunch of requests and shootings down.

Joe

As Salaamu Alaikum,

I think that I suffciently gave the example in the article when I said:

You are saying that none of these translations have it right, but instead it should be translated as:

?Oh you who believe, do not approach/come near ?the going/turning towards (turning/going towards)? when you are intoxicated, till you can understand all that you say??.?

If that is what you are suggesting, then that doesn?t make any sense to me at all.  That could easily be interpreted to mean not to try and do better if you are intoxicated or have had sex.  Why would Allah tell us such a crazy thing?  Surely this definition does not fit all situations where ?SLW? is used.  There should be no need to give additional examples here.


As Salaamu Alaikum 

[ayman]

Peace IQO,

?Oh you who believe, do not approach/come near ?the going/turning towards (turning/going towards)? when you are intoxicated, till you can understand all that you say??.?
If that is what you are suggesting, then that doesn?t make any sense to me at all.  That could easily be interpreted to mean not to try and do better if you are intoxicated or have had sex.  Why would Allah tell us such a crazy thing?  Surely this definition does not fit all situations where ?SLW? is used.  There should be no need to give additional examples here.

You are saying that "turning towards" doesn't make sense to you and yet here is what you said in your WHAT IS SALAT post:

It ensures that believers constantly turn to Allah and assists believers in living in the light of Allah?s commandments.

So perhaps it at least makes some sense to you. On the other hand, your interpretation of "salat" as "prayer" doesn't make sense:

?Oh you who believe, do not approach/come near ?prayer? when you are intoxicated, till you can understand all that you say??.?

Are you suggesting that when someone is intoxicated and is facing somekind of imminent danger or wants to be forgiven, he shouldn't pray to the god to save him or forgive him but should wait until he is sober and even then he can only do it at a special time? This doesn't make sense.

Also, are you saying that someone who had sex with his wife shouldn't pray to the god to give him a child or to guide them but should wait until he washes and then he can only pray at dawn or the other times you suggested?

Clearly, your proposed meaning of "prayer" doesn't make much sense here. I would say that one can pray at any and all times and there are no constraints on prayer. You should try to find another translation for "salat" other than prayer. The translation should provide for a meaning that accomplishes your correct statement:

It ensures that believers constantly turn to Allah and assists believers in living in the light of Allah?s commandments.

It is an empirically verifiable fact that Jews, Christians and sectarians who believe in the god pray to the god and yet this prayer doesn't result in them "turning to the god" nor "assist them in living in the light of the god?s commandments". So according to your own statement, "prayer" cannot be "salat".

I hope this helps everyone.

Peace,

Ayman

[Wakas]

peace IQO,

I think I understand what you are saying, it is just that I did not try to take that as the most powerful point of the article.  Many points and words in the article are in bold font and underlined, etc., so there was no reason for me to take it that way.

Please dont exaggerate. It was the ONLY part in my article that was bold AND underlined. Clearly suggesting it was the most important point of the article, or at least one of the most important points. To not understand this point has led you to more misunderstandings in your "rebuttal", including your example that does not apparently fit:

?Oh you who believe, do not approach/come near ?the going/turning towards (turning/going towards)? when you are intoxicated, till you can understand all that you say??.?

In my article, I also state:

One could substitute this term with similar words such as link/bond/connect, remain attached, continue contact, follow closely or commitment, i.e. a word which implies to go/turn towards.

So lets substitute "go/turn towards (in a close/positive manner)" for "bond" and re-insert it into the example you gave:

?Oh you who believe, do not approach/come near the bond when you are intoxicated, till you can understand all that you say??.?

One simply has to ask themselves, what "bond" could this possibly refer to? Interestingly and perhaps amazingly, there is only one possibility. If one is unable to figure out what this "bond" could possibly be, the article states:

To gain a better understanding of The System/Obligation, it is clear a better understanding of al quran would be required. That is why a regular/timed salat is given. In this regular/timed salat, reading / reflection / oration of al quran is prescribed. This can be done alone or in a group/community setting.

...

This makes sense because it is only the mumin (believers/faithful/trustful) who are upholding the scripture. For them, to uphold/maintain the going/turning towards (i.e. link/bond) will be more specific and thus directly related to what the scripture contains, hence reading of it regularly.

One small problem I've encountered from my article is that it is so simple/subtle/obvious some miss the point or cannot understand what it means. So you are not alone, if you didn't understand it. This could be a fault in my part, i.e. not explaining it clearly, but it could just as easily be a fault in the part of the reader, i.e. clouded by their pre-conceived notions of what "salat" is. Many have read it and understood what I meant.

I was considering writing a much more comprehensive article on "salat" but it is not in my immediate priorities as I do not struggle with the "salat" concept anymore and I feel what I've written already is sufficient enough to get the idea out there, akin to showing a door, which the reader has to walk through themselves.

[ILisa]

Peace IQO,

When we 'clutch our ideas' we fail to see or understand that which doesn't fit. We begin to see by letting go of those preconceived ideas and opening our hearts.

It's good to take stock from time to time to see what ideas we are currently clutching and reflect upon why. Fear is often at the root of the clutching.

Be well.