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What does Salaat mean?The word Al Salaat in `arabic comes from the word "to link"(el salawa) which is what Muslims understand salaat to be; a link between God and Man. This link refers to, obviously, a spiritual link instead of a physical one. Salaat is usually translated in English as meaning 'prayer,' but many misunderstand what kind of praying. People think it means prayer where people are calling on God to do something for them. While salaat does this in a way, salaat is not that kind of prayer. That kind of prayer is called da`wa in `arabic or "calling." Same word is used for when one calls one to a faith. And the process of calling others to Islam is thus called da`wah.
Unlike da`wa, which is not required, salaat is required of all people. It is a commandment in Islam and not something you do whenever you feel like it.
Why do we have to salaat or link to God?
Because when Adam and Eve fell from the Garden of Eden, they pleaded with God to forgive them. Then it is said;
Then Adam received words from His LORD, so He redeemed him; Surely He is the Redeemer, The Merciful. Surrat ul Baqarrah, 2.37That is why we do salaat - so that God may redeem us all. We received words from him, seven most-repeated verses which every Muslim includes in his salaat to God. They make up the first chapter of the Qur'an, Al Fateha(The Opening.) Its believed that Adam received same words from God. Because Adam built originally the first place of prostration(which is now the ka`bah) it would make sense that they are the same or similar words of that which he had received.
Salaat is for dikrullah(remembrance of God) as God says;
Surely I'm God, there is no god but I, therefore worship me and keep the salaat for My remembrance. TaHa, 20.14So, when you do remember God constantly, God keeps you holy and redeems you. In the hell community, those who did not establish salaat on earth are quoted as saying;
"we were not of those who prayed"(74.43)
When exactly is Salaat to be established?
That has been the only issue that many, many, many muslims could never agree on. Some have named five different times of the day while others have named three and others named two. All claiming to have their proofs from the qur'an. So, as always, let us resort to the qur'an;
And establish the salaat at the ends of the day and the early part of the night Surrat ul Hud, 11.114
Some muslims have argued over the centuries that the above verse says we need to do only two salaats;
1. first end of the day(dawn,)
2. second end of the day(sunset.)
However, that is not true. The above verse says three salaats. The above two and the last "AND the early part of the night." first of all, the keyword here is wa(and) which means that there is yet a third salaat. The word 'zulfann' literally means "earlier" or "early." So, we could argue, no it is not in the night but the earliest to the night. However, the word that follows it makes it in the night because it is the word min which means; of, from, among, in, etc. the same root word, zulf, is used in another verse which says;
Maa na`baduu hum ilaa liyuqaribuunaa ilaa allahi zulfaa(we do not worship them except to bring us near to God, early.) 39.3
What they are saying is - they worship them to bring them near to God, early. For example, the `Arabs, who are quoted here, worshiped gods beside God while they knew very well that God was the God of everything. They did not worship those other gods but to bring God's mercy to them before God would otherwise bring it. They felt that by asking other gods, the gods would plead on their behalf and their problems would be dealt with earlier than it would if they asked God directly. The same thing happens with Catholics - who pray to Mary every morning. They do not do it, except they believe because she is the "mother of God"(Exalted be God,) they are getting their sins forgiven quicker than they would be if they asked help on their own.
There is another verse which deals with time, it goes like this;
Establish Salaat when the Sun goes down until the darkness of the Night. Surrat ul bani isra'el, 17.78.
So, there is a salaat from when the sun goes down to the darkness of the night. This is what we call sunset and would be classified as an 'end' of the day. Khalifites and others have long argued that duluk ul shams means 'declines from its highest point' and not 'going down the sun'(which is what it means.) However, God mentions that time of the day, zuhur in another verse... and God does NOT mention it being a salaat time, though God mentions two other salaat times;
[24.58] O you who believe! let those whom your right hands possess and those of you who have not attained to puberty ask permission of you three times; before the Prayer of the Dawn(salaat ul fajr,) and when you put off your clothes at midday(zahira,) and after the Prayer of the Nightfall(salaat ul `eshaa); these are three times of privacy for you; neither is it a sin for you nor for them besides these, some of you must go round about (waiting) upon others; thus does God make clear to you the communications, and God is Knowing, Wise.
God, again, mentions of two salaats; salaat ul fajr(the dawn salaat) and salaat ul `eshaa(the nightfall prayer.) Also, this is another point - `eshaa means; "nightfall" nightfall so happens to be the early part of the night... and not earliest to the night per se. But, if there was a salaat at midday/noon(which is when the sun declines from its highest point,) would not God mention a salaat named after that time, as God mentions salaats named after other private times? Also, what are these three private times, let us explain:
1. Before dawn; it is early and people are just waking up.
2. Midday or Noon; it is very hot and people used to put off their
clothes during this time, to cool off.
3. After nightfall; it is getting late and people are preparing for sleep.
Those three times are private times. However, unlike those who argue there is a salaat in midday, God does not mention such salaat.
Now, we established there is no salaat at midday but the ends of the day and the early part of the night. For those who argue that salaat is only two, we ask them to translate the following verse for us;
Guard over your Salaats and the salaat of the middle, and stand up for God, obediently. Surrat ul Baqarrah, 2.238
Obviously, you can't have a middle prayer unless you have a three salaats. Some Muslims say that the word Wustaa which is usually translated as 'middle' does not mean middle. However, that does not hold water when we get to the word salawaati which means salaats more than two. In the `arabic language, the plural of more than two salaat is salawaat while the plural or two salaat are salaatein. Could God make such a grammatical mistake? We don't think so.
So, what did we learn from this section? That salaat is three times a day; Dawn Prayer(Salaat ul Fajr,) Sunset Prayer(Salaat ul Maghreb or `Asr,) and Nightfall Prayer(Salaat ul `Eshaa.)
How are we to establish Salaat?
This, like the last section, is one that has been causing headache. First of all, many Muslims have long put out their own way of establishing salaat as the only way. The Qur'an does not really say 'how' but that is because God is not concerned with 'how' but that you do it. Remember, the most important aspect of the salaat is to remember God. If you get up to do something for one's sake three times a day, chances are you are remembering them regardless of how you do it.
However, like Israelites, the `Arabs of Arabia have descended from Abraham, through his other son Ishmael. Ishmael has been brought to mind in the Qur'an to have established salaat;
And mention Ishmael in the Book; surely he was truthful in (his) promise, and he was an apostle, a prophet. And he enjoined on his family prayer(salaat) and almsgiving(Zakaat,) and was one in whom his Lord was well pleased. Surrat ul Maryam, 19.54-55
So, we have here that the Father of the `Arabs, Ishmael, not only established salaat but also enjoined it on his family. It is interesting to note that the `Arabs were still praying at the time of Muhammad's prophethood;
And their prayer(Salaat) before the House is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands; taste then the chastisement, for you disbelieved. Surrat ul Anfaal, 8.35
So, they did practice salaat still during time. So, then, why does God have a problem with their prayers? Because their prayers were directed not only to God which sort of nullifies the whole purpose; the remember God. So, God is here saying that they could pray all they wanted and it would just count to as a mockery; Note, God uses the words whistling and clapping - very famous words in `Arabic in reference to mockery. Then, how are we to do salaat and have God be satisfied with it? God answers this;
Say; "Surely my prayer(salaat) and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for God, the Lord of the Nations; Surrat ul An`aam, 6.162
Thus, God is saying, your prayer and sacrifice and your life and your death should all be for God. If you ever do any of those for the sake of anyone else, God help you. By the way, this is a reason why anything sacrificed to anyone beside God is strictly prohibited in Islam(See the Dietry section of this site.) But, wait, what happens if we make the salaat to God but only mention some other names in it? Would it still be okay or not? God answers this also;
And the Places of Prostration(masaajid) are for God, therefore do not call anyone with God. Surrat ul Jinn, 72.18
The word used for 'places of prostration' is called Mosque in English. However, the word Mosque is French. Anywhere where one does sajuud(prostration) is a masjid/mosque. So, we are translating the word "masjid" so that people may not get the idea that you are only not suppose to call anyone with God in mosques, and that you can do it elsewhere. Wheather on the land or sea or air, if you are going to prostrate, do not call anyone with God. Why is God concerned with people calling others with him? Because that is exactly what the `Arabs did in the Ka`bah; they called other gods with God in their salaat. So, no, you can't call anyone with God in your prayers.
So, then, what does the Qur'an mention of the universal ways that Muslims establish salaat today? Qur'an mentions three things;
1. Standing(25.64)
2. Bowing(48.29
3. Prostrating(both 25.64 and 48.29)
Many times, in the Qur'an, the word prostration is mentioned, why? Because the act of prostration is THE ultimate act of submission, especially to `Arabs. People came to their Kings and prostrated before them, to show them of how submissive they are to them. Therefore, it does not matter 'how' you do it, as long as you follow the Qur'anic instructions of what NOT to do; call anyone with God or direct prayers to anyone beside God. After you do that, if your salaat includes of standing, bowing and prostrating, then you are in good company.
What do we say in Salaat?
That is also another thing that people misunderstand. Salaat, as we explained above, means a link to God, a redemption, and a remembrance of God. What you say in it matters. You do not say anything concerning or directed to anyone but God. What do we recommend that you say in it? The Seven Oft-Repeated, the Fateha. This chapter literally does all the job Salaat meant to do;
In the name of God, The Beneficent, The Merciful. Praise be to God, the LORD of the Nations. The Beneficent, the Merciful. King of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the right path. The path of those whom You have blessed. Not those who wrath is upon, nor those who astray. Surrat ul Fate'ha, 1.1-7
If anyone ever wanted to know what to say in salaat, those verse would definitely do the job. They first acknowledge God, then tell God of what they worship, and then they ask God to guide them on the right path. You are remembering God, linking with God, and submitting to God all in the same short chapter. Praise be to God. But, whatever you say, don't either say it loud or silent but in moderate tone, as God says;
Say: Call upon God or call upon, the Beneficent God; whichever you call upon, He has the best names; and do not be loud in your prayer(salaat) nor be silent to it, and follow between these ways.
Surrat ul Bani Isra'el, 17.110
So, God is asking us not to be loud in our prayers nor be silent. But use a moderate tone - or a way between those. We know this is not the case with the majority of Muslims. Mosques have been closed in the West because they used microphones to do salaat and were too loud that neighbors kept complaining about them. If a worship to God bothers anyone, such worship cannot be a worship. God's worship is a worship which does not bother anyone. If such Mosques had followed what God had related to them of His Wisdom, such Mosques would not have been closed. But, in similar, there were Churches that were closed down in the West because the choir were too loud and used outside microphones. Please note, the Mosques that were closed down were not closed for making a call to prayer... but establishing salaat with a very long qira'a(recitation) which was too long too often. A call to prayer is authorized, but a call to prayer is very short. And, thus, anyone who is awakened by it can go right back to sleep(but not when you have ten minute nonstop recitation over outdoor microphones) - it is both rude and inhumane. And such things cannot be Islamic.
How many units are in the salaat?
Does it really matter? Many Muslims all over the world have this way over than what it is. It is NOT important. Worry about the things in Salaat that are important. Why would you worry about how many units the salaat is when you are not worrying why you are asking forgiveness for a wonderful prophet of God whom God says in His Word that He has forgiven his past and future sins??? Muslims have fought over how many units the prayers are while they do not fight over the idolatry full of their salaats. Does that even make any sense? Follow your culture's way of praying, only perfect it. However, it turns out that nearly all Muslims in the world agree that dawn prayer is of two units, sunset prayer is three units, and that nightfall prayer is four units. So, follow your culture's own units of prayer. Again, remember, it is what you do that is more important than 'how' you do it. God cares more about the fact that you do IT, for Him alone, and not 'how' you do it. Remember the saying; "it is the thought that counts." IF you get up 3 a.m. in the morning and offer a service to God alone, God would not care how you did it, rest be assured.
Wuduu: Ablution or Preparation for Salaat
How To Do Salaat: A set-by-sep Guide!