Which Ritual Salat is named "Salat al Wusta" as per 2:238 ?

[almarh0m]

Peace

We are all familiar ( those of us who are former sunnies or other sects) with all the different timed salat and each name given to a particular 'Ritual Salat' such as : Salat al Fajr, Salat al Dhohor, Salat al Ashar, Salat al Maghreb and Salat al Ishaa. However, when it comes to "Salat al Wusta", I have yet to find a muslim person who can pinpoint which of the various ritual salat is salat al wusta. This is inspite of insistence of some scholars that "The Salat Al Wusta" is the most important of all salat, usually by citing 2:238.

So why amongst all the various known salat, not one can be identified specifically as the salat al wusta? Even the debatable salat al jum'ah or Friday-Prayer has an established place within the general muslim communities, which are extracted from 62:9.
So why is it 62:9 can find a place amongst the muslims ritual prayers and 2:238 cannot be accommodated the same way ?

Any comment and explanation is appreciated, thank you .

Peace

almarh0m

[Wakas]

How come you never responded to the thread below or my personal message regarding it?
http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9602361.0

[almarh0m]

How come you never responded to the thread below or my personal message regarding it?
http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9602361.0

Peace

As far as I can see, this question has nothing to do with the topic, If you can add some useful contribution towards a better understanding regarding this, please do so.

Bro Wakas

Since I became an adult I always try to observe etiquette, especially in respect of "private communication", I sent you a private message and expect a reply in kind, unfortunately you chose to reply through the public forum. If you have problem with my view/interpretation or understanding, and you know better regarding the matter in question, please forward your valuable view or understanding so that we can all benefit from it .

Thank You

Almarh0m

[Wakas]

peace,

I replied via the public forum because it was a clarification of the comment I made on that thread. If you did not know what I meant by it then others might not know either, hence clarifying for others also.

Emphasis mine:

please forward your valuable view or understanding so that we can all benefit from it .

That's what I did.

Let me know if you reply on that thread, in case I miss it. If you have no answer to what I said, fair enough, each to their own.

[Anishy]

Establish prayer at the decline of the sun till the darkness of the night and the Quran at dawn. Indeed, the recitation of the Quran at dawn is ever witnessed. [Quran, 17:78]

The time of Wusta would be noon. Also described as "at the decline of the sun" and that does make noon/evening does it not? it would be around the Asr time (Asr means afternoon by the way). So as long as you do the middle prayer at the declining of the sun (from when the sun is going from the highest point of the sky and towards setting but before it's setting), you should be on time for the Wusta prayer.

Hope that made it more clear.

You can also read my article about the obligatory contact prayers:
http://godfearingmuslim.blogspot.com/2011/05/contact-prayers-salat-and-their-timings.html

Peace.

[mir.ilyas]

Guard your duties pertaining to the family life (221-237) and the central duty of re-
maining vigilant in obeying Divine commands. [?Salaat-il-wusta? is not ?Asr] (2:238)

Taken from the translation done by Dr. Shabir Ahmed
download it from www.ourbeacon.com

[kgwithnob]

...Any comment and explanation is appreciated, thank you .

Peace

almarh0m

2:238
حَـٰفِظُواْ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٲتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلۡوُسۡطَىٰ وَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ قَـٰنِتِين

Dear all,

Why are we dragging this subject for so long? Just see 2:238. ALLAAH SWT is commanding us to safeguard the SALAWAAT (it is a plural noun, it must be at least 3 salaats)+/and the SALAATULWUSTAA (the middle salaat).

With careful attention, in order for the SALAWAAT +/and SALAATULWUSTA to have a middle number, then the SALAWAAT must be at least 4. So, the SALAWAAT + the SALAATULWUSTA must be at least 5.

Now, and after the above reasoning one can argue on the timing of each salaat according to other verses of The Qur?aan. Also, and for more clarifications, see the link below.

http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9601815.msg269652#msg269652

Peace,
Khalil

[mmkhan]

Salaam all,

Any comment and explanation is appreciated, thank you .

Please take a look http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9601300.msg261111#msg261111

And this specially about AlSalaat AlWusta http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9601815.msg269776#msg269776

Hope this may help inshaAllah.


May Allah guide us all to His true path 
Mohammed M. Khan

[God Within]

Peace be upon you,

Wusta refers to the balance...salaat is that which balances you...it is the programming/conditioning of the mind/subconcious which is achcived at the state between awake and sleep(middle/balance)

[Eikonoklastes]

Peace,

I don't think anyone who believes in the "middle prayer" can really make a compelling argument, in my opinion. There are too many holes.

Why the redundancy? Why is it the most important prayer? Where in the Quran shows it's specific time? Is it in the middle during the day or at night? How does it make sense in context with 2:239? How has this mysterious "most important" prayer been ignored even by the plethora of traditionalist scholars? Why is it mentioned as "AL salat al wusta" instead of "salat al fajr/isha", which I'm led to believe in Arabic means a general something instead of a specific one (not sure how accurate this is)?

I'm not sure if it's because a few scholars published books outlining it as "middle" that so many hang onto it, or if they simply don't understand context, or what. I must admit it's quite disheartening, and even embarrassing that we cannot settle on something that should be so clear to us all. 

May Allah guide us all to the truth. 

[God Within]

Peace be upon you,

God suffices as witness...I wouldn't worry about everyone coming to the same conclusion regarding anything. God says listen to all opinions and follow the best. You will beat yourself up for nothing by worrying about others. Just continue to share the truth for those who will see. )

Stay centered(wusta) )

[ths]

Salaam almarhom,

I believe that Salat al-Wusta is most likely Salat al-Asr.
This tradition seems to have made its way to the hadiths, as there is even a hadith that places special weight on the Asr prayer.

Every week there is a topic about salah, and until now I haven't seen a study of all the verses together as I did some time ago here:



PRAYERS SO FAR:

1. Pray during the night, specifically the first part of the night (al-layli) (73:1-7)
2. When you wake up (7eena taquum) (52:48-49)
3. During the night (min al-layli) (52:48-49)
4. At Dawn (At the retreat of the stars - adbaar al-nujoom) (52:48-49)
5. In the morning (bukratan) (76:25-26)
6. In the evening (aseela) (76:25-26)
7. And a part of the night (min al-layli) (76:25-26)
8. Before the rising of the sun (qabla tuloo3 al-shamsi) (50:39-40)
9. Before the setting of the sun (qabla 'l-ghuroob) (50:39-40)
10. During the night (min al-layli) (50:39-40)
11. During the night (min al-layli) (51:16-18)
12. In the early dawn (bil-as7aari - su7oor) (51:16-18)
13. Before the rising of the sun (qabla tuloo3 al-shamsi) (20:130)
14. Before the setting of the sun (qabla ghuroobihaa) (20:130)
15. During the night (min 2aanaa2 al-layli) (20:130)
16. At the ends of the day (different from dawn and the evening as they are mentioned in the same verse) (atraaf al-nahaar) (20:130)
17. From the sinking sun to the darkening of the night (dulook il-shamsi ilaa ghasaq al-layli (17:78-79)
18. At dawn (quraan al-fajr) (17:78-79)
19. At night (min al-layli) (17:78-79)
20. In the evening (al-3ashiyyi) (40:55)
21. At dawn (al-ibkaar) (40:55)
22. At two ends of the day (tarafay 'l-nahaari) (11:114)
23. Approaches of the night (zulfan min al-layli) (11:114)
24. In the morning (7eena tusbihuun) (30:17-18)
25. In the afternoon (7eena tumsoon) (30:17-18)
26. At the setting sun (3ashiyyan) (30:17-18)
27. At noon (7eena tudhhiruun) (30:17-18)
28. The middle prayer? (Salat al-wusta) (2:238)
29. A portion of the night (adna min thuluthay al-layli wa-nisfahu wa-thuluthahu) (73:20)
30. At dawn (salat al-fajr) (24:58)
31. At noon (al-dhaheera) (24:58)
32. In the evening (salat al-isha) (24:58)



So to summarize all this information, the salawat prescribed in the Quran are:


1. Dawn - 7eena taquum 52:48-49, adbaar al-nujoom 52:48-49, bukratan 76:25-26, qabla tuloo3 al-shamsi 50:39-40, bil-as7aari 51:16-18, qabla tuloo3 al-shamsi 20:130, atraaf al-nahaar 20:130, quraan al-fajr 17:78-79, al-ibkaar 40:55, 7eena tusbihuun 30:17-18, salat al-fajr 24:58

2. Noon - 7eena tudhhiruun 30:17-18, al-dhaheera 24:58

3. Afternoon - 7eena tumsoon 30:17-18, Salat al-wusta 2:238,

4. Evening - aseela 76:25-26, qabla 'l-ghuroob 50:39-40, qabla ghuroobihaa 20:130, atraaf al-nahaar 20:130, dulook il-shamsi 17:78-79, al-3ashiyyi 40:55, tarafay 'l-nahaari 11:114, 3ashiyyan 30:17-18, salat al-isha 24:58 

5. Night - al-layli 73:1-7, min al-layli 52:48-49, min al-layli 76:25-26, min al-layli 50:39-40, min al-layli 51:16-18, min 2aanaa2 al-layli 20:130, ghasaq al-layli 17:78-79, min al-layli 17:78-79, zulfan min al-layli 11:114, adna min al-layli 73:20,

[God Within]

Peace be upon you,

The God names the salaat ...dawn and dusk is all there is.

[san]

Stay centered(wusta) )

Nicely put. As a side note, "guerrilla" meditation throughout the day is an excellent way to keep ourselves centered. Dawn and dusk might be the best time to "get deeper" regularly, but if a quick and simple balancing act that is done every now and then helps us with our life, then why not? Ritual or not, so long as one finds balance with Salat, it's good.

[redsulphur1229]

This discussion depends on "wusta" meaning "middle" - but that is a secondary meaning.  The primary meaning is "best" or "more important".

[scaredmuslimah]

This discussion depends on "wusta" meaning "middle" - but that is a secondary meaning.  The primary meaning is "best" or "more important".

Peace RedSulphur,

Can you elaborate on that some more?  You are the first person I have seen mention this.

-Amina

[mmkhan]

This discussion depends on "wusta" meaning "middle" - but that is a secondary meaning.  The primary meaning is "best" or "more important".

Salaam RS,

Even if wusta means best or more important, why is it made different than regular Salaats? Can you answer me please?


May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His only path 
mmKhan

[redsulphur1229]

see:
http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=11539.0

I don't presume to speak authoritatively regarding why one prayer is more important than another, but I have read the following explanation - during the time of the Prophet, Muslims praying the morning prayer at the Kaaba was not considered contraversial by the pagan Meccans.  However, the evening prayer (Salat al-Isha, which actually occurs during what we now call Salat al-Maghrib) coincided with pagan prayer time (clapping of hands etc), and so Muslims were barred from praying at the Kaaba at that time, or harassed.  I don't know the credibility of the explanation.  i do not recall the author's name - will check.

Based on my reading of the Quran, there are only 2 prayers (dawn and dusk), named Salat al-Fajr and Salat al-Isha.  If there are only 2, then there is no "middle prayer", which means that Salat al-Wusta must mean something else, and the word "wusta" actually does mean something else.  That means one of these 2 salats is more important than the other.  As to why, Allah knows best.

[scaredmuslimah]

see:
http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=11539.0

I don't presume to speak authoritatively regarding why one prayer is more important than another, but I have read the following explanation - during the time of the Prophet, Muslims praying the morning prayer at the Kaaba was not considered contraversial by the pagan Meccans.  However, the evening prayer (Salat al-Isha, which actually occurs during what we now call Salat al-Maghrib) coincided with pagan prayer time (clapping of hands etc), and so Muslims were barred from praying at the Kaaba at that time, or harassed.  I don't know the credibility of the explanation.  i do not recall the author's name - will check.

Based on my reading of the Quran, there are only 2 prayers (dawn and dusk), named Salat al-Fajr and Salat al-Isha.  If there are only 2, then there is no "middle prayer", which means that Salat al-Wusta must mean something else, and the word "wusta" actually does mean something else.  That means one of these 2 salats is more important than the other.  As to why, Allah knows best.

Thank you for the link and explanation.  When I was a Christian, we were always taught to pray when we woke up and before retiring for bed in the evening.  Part of me thinks that isn't a coincidence with the two salats named in the Qur'an.  I believe it was mmkhan that said that "wusta" means "central."  Forgive me if I am wrong on that...

Peace,

Amina

[mmkhan]

Salaam,

Brother RedSulphur, how to translate ahsana in 39:23?

39:23 اَللّٰہُ نَزَّلَ اَحۡسَنَ الۡحَدِیۡثِ ...
39:23 Allah has sent down the best statement...

Please click here to see other translations.

Can someone let me know at what time should be alSalaat alJuma offered if it is not at middle?


May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path 
mmkhan

[redsulphur1229]

mmkhan, Salaams,
Where is "Salat al-Juma" mentioned in the Quran???

[mmkhan]

mmkhan, Salaams,
Where is "Salat al-Juma" mentioned in the Quran???

Salaams brother,

Thanks for correcting me. It is not Salaat alJuma but alSalaat on Juma day which is the day of gathering/meeting.


May Allah bless you,
mmKhan

[scaredmuslimah]

Salaams brother,

Thanks for correcting me. It is not Salaat alJuma but alSalaat on Juma day which is the day of gathering/meeting.


May Allah bless you,
mmKhan

mmKhan,

So are you saying that you believe the word "wusta" to be referring to the Juma prayer on Fridays? 

[mmkhan]

mmKhan,

So are you saying that you believe the word "wusta" to be referring to the Juma prayer on Fridays?

Salaam Amina,

Yes, you understood correctly 


May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path 
mmKhan

[scaredmuslimah]

Salaam Amina,

Yes, you understood correctly 


May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path 
mmKhan

So then, the meaning "central" is not implying a time or place, but a level of importance? 

Peace,

Amina

[mmkhan]

So then, the meaning "central" is not implying a time or place, but a level of importance? 

Peace,

Amina

Peace Amina,

Yes not implying a time or place, and I did not use the word central because it may show you a level of importance, so, I used middle instead. To me, all Salaats are important, no important than other because all are for Allah. What could be the reason of making any Salaat important over other Salaats? I don't see any reason.

But alSalaat on Juma or day of meeting is important because of added Allah's zikr [remembrance of Allah] before Salaat.

62:9 یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا نُوۡدِیَ لِلصَّلٰوۃِ مِنۡ یَّوۡمِ الۡجُمُعَۃِ فَاسۡعَوۡا اِلٰی ذِکۡرِ اللّٰہِ وَ ذَرُوا الۡبَیۡعَ ؕ ذٰلِکُمۡ خَیۡرٌ لَّکُمۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
62:9 O you who have believed, when is called for the prayer on the day of gathering/meeting, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave selling. That is better for you, if you only knew.

Please click here to see other translations.

Please note that for remembrance of Allah, we have to leave selling and hasten to join in and it is also said, that is better for you if you knew.

Another aayat showing the importance of remembrance of Allah is 29:45.

29:45 اُتۡلُ مَاۤ اُوۡحِیَ اِلَیۡکَ مِنَ الۡکِتٰبِ وَ اَقِمِ الصَّلٰوۃَ ؕ اِنَّ الصَّلٰوۃَ تَنۡہٰی عَنِ الۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَ الۡمُنۡکَرِ ؕ وَ لَذِکۡرُ اللّٰہِ اَکۡبَرُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُوۡنَ
29:45 Recite, what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

Please click here to see other translations.

Hope you understand what I am saying, inshaAllah.


May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path 
mmKhan

[scaredmuslimah]

Peace Amina,

Yes not implying a time or place, and I did not use the word central because it may show you a level of importance, so, I used middle instead. To me, all Salaats are important, no important than other because all are for Allah. What could be the reason of making any Salaat important over other Salaats? I don't see any reason.

But alSalaat on Juma or day of meeting is important because of added Allah's zikr [remembrance of Allah] before Salaat.

62:9 یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا نُوۡدِیَ لِلصَّلٰوۃِ مِنۡ یَّوۡمِ الۡجُمُعَۃِ فَاسۡعَوۡا اِلٰی ذِکۡرِ اللّٰہِ وَ ذَرُوا الۡبَیۡعَ ؕ ذٰلِکُمۡ خَیۡرٌ لَّکُمۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
62:9 O you who have believed, when is called for the prayer on the day of gathering/meeting, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave selling. That is better for you, if you only knew.

Please click here to see other translations.

Please note that for remembrance of Allah, we have to leave selling and hasten to join in and it is also said, that is better for you if you knew.

Another aayat showing the importance of remembrance of Allah is 29:45.

29:45 اُتۡلُ مَاۤ اُوۡحِیَ اِلَیۡکَ مِنَ الۡکِتٰبِ وَ اَقِمِ الصَّلٰوۃَ ؕ اِنَّ الصَّلٰوۃَ تَنۡہٰی عَنِ الۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَ الۡمُنۡکَرِ ؕ وَ لَذِکۡرُ اللّٰہِ اَکۡبَرُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُوۡنَ
29:45 Recite, what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

Please click here to see other translations.

Hope you understand what I am saying, inshaAllah.


May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path 
mmKhan

I apologize.  I thought it was you who said that "wusta" meant "central." 

[mmkhan]

I apologize.  I thought it was you who said that "wusta" meant "central."

Peace Amina,

That is OK, no need to apologize. We may mistake when studying different opinions by different people.

mmKhan

[redsulphur1229]

mmkhan, Salaams
Where does the word "Juma" occur in 62:9? I see yaum ul jumuah (day of gathering), but no reference to "juma". 

[Wakas]

Best thread so far on al salat al wusta, in my view:
http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=7727.0