Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Salah, the deep Reach



Ṣalah: The Deep Reach of Islamic Prayer

Part 3 of 3

Mohammed S. Uddin

 

Why Ṣalah?  What are the beneficial ends accomplished for the individual Muslim and for his community by their proper practice of Ṣalah? 

 

Part III: Summary of the Comprehensive Benefits Accomplished by Ṣalah:

Spiritual, Physical, Social, and Personal Development

The totality of benefits accomplished by Ṣalah, when carried out with proper attention and with the intention of pleasing Allah, are interconnected and mutually supportive.

1.      Disease prevention: Good hygine lowers the risk for illnesses commonly spread through infectious agents.  Our hands are the prime means for spreading infection because they come in contact with bacteria every time we cough and cover our mouth, use the rest room, touch our pets, or touch surfaces such as stairs, railings, door knobs, anything frequently used by others.  Wuḍu and baths help us to rid the dirt and infectious agents.

2.      Good oral hygiene and foot care: Using the Siwak, or tooth brush, and flossing the teeth prevents gum diseases, plaque formation, and oral cancer.  Trimming nails and keeping the feet dry, prevents bad odor and athlete's foot.

3.      Prayer teaches steadfastness (Istiqâma) in regularity and punctuality, and consistency in actions in our daily lifes, through Adhân and Iqâma.

4.      We learn etiquettes, humility and concentration when we establish the proper performance of Prayer: Reciting Sûrah Al-Fâtiḥa teaches the formal etiquettes of  supplication by exulting the Beneficient with His great Attributes (1:1-3), and showing the utmost humility (Khushu'a). 

5.      Paying off the Due Charity: Every part of the human body is a blessing ready to take part in one's life, and a charity is due on every blessing.  Paying the dues is a reflection of gratefulness to the Bestower of these Blessings.  

Narrated by Abu Dharr, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

 "When you get up in the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints.  There is charity in every ascription of glory to Allah; there is charity in every declaration of His Greatness; there is charity in every utterance of praise to Him; there is charity in every declaration that He is the only true God (worthy of worship); there is charity in enjoining good; there is charity in forbidding evil.  Two RakCâhs of Ḍuḥâ (forenoon prayer) is equal to all this (in reward)." (Riyad Al-Salihîn 118 from Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim,)

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of Prayer that mobilizes the entire skeletal system.  The spiritual reward that is earned during performance of these two RakCahs of Ḍuḥâ Prayer is the same as the reward earned through various righteous deeds during the span of a day. 

6.        Congregational Prayer is much greater in reward:

"Ibn 'Umar  reported: 

The Messenger of Allah said, "Salat in congregation is twenty seven times more meritirious than a Salat performed individually."("The Excellence of Performing Salat In Congregation," Riyad-Al-Salihîn, Vol. 2, Hadith #1064)

Congregational Prayer not only offers individual personal spiritual benefits, but it also offers communal benefits.  When people gather for Prayer, it facilitates interactions between people and solidifies human brotherhood: 

"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other…)."  [Sûrah Al-Ḥujurât, 49:13]

7.      Social and Professional Acceptance: Spending time around those who fail to demonstrate good hygiene can be unpleasant due to factors such as bad breath and body odor.  Poor hygiene can have a negative impact on social life and family relationship.  On the other hand, being clean, wearing clean clothing and maintaining good grooming, make one feel confident and comfortable both physically and mentally.  Poor hygiene affects mood, and interactions with others.

 

In conclusion, Ṣalâh re-establishes a connection with Allah (تعالى‎ ‎‎و سبحانه ) at a minimum of five times a day.  It offers the worshiper the opportunity to have a dialogue with Him and enter the spiritual world. The five-times-a-day Prayers cleanse the worshiper physically and spiritually, wiping out the minor sins committed in between two Prayers: 

Narrated by Abu Hurairah 

The Allah's Messenger said, "The five daily Salah (Prayers) and the Friday Prayer to Friday Prayer expiates whatever minor sins may be committed in between, so long as major sins are avoided." [Riyad Al-Salihîn, Vol 2, Hadith  1045, from Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim, Book 2, Hadith 18/449)

Salah offers opportunity to denounce exit from the cares and duties of the material world at regular intervals and allows us to focus on, and prepare for, the coming Eternal Life.

Personal hygiene and clean dress are requirements for Prayer, emphasizing the fact that cleanliness is a prerequisite for spiritual transformation: 

Narrated Abu Malik al-Ash'ari that the Messenger of Allah said,

Cleanliness is half of Imân, and 'Al-Hamdulillah' fills the scale; Subhan Allah and al-Hamdulillah fill up what is between the heavens and the earth; and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of one's faith); and endurance is a brightness; and the Holy Qur'an is a proof on your behalf or against you.  All men go out in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves." (Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim, 223; Book 2, Hadith 1; Book 2, Hadith 432)  

Since movements are essential parts of life, and since proper movements depend on the healthy condition of our skeletal system, then as a sign of gratitude, we are asked to pay a little 'charity' for such great blessings, which are achieved through our attentive and regular performance of Prayers. 

 Ṣalâh regulates the routine of daily life. It brings comfort to the heart and tranquility to the mind, and elevates the worshiper to the proximity of the Sublime, the Lover and Cherisher of His creations.

In Prayer, Khushu'a (concentration) and Khudu'a (humility) are necessary to reach the underlying goal of prayer.  Physical humility in standing and reciting is not as difficult to attain as concentration.  Our attention span is very short! Living in the age of smart phone, human attention span has fallen from twelve seconds in 2000 to eight seconds in 2018 (www.digitalinformationworld.com/2018/09/the...).

Our brains have become idle!   Accordingly, slow recitation and understanding is crucial in order to attain the concentration and meditation necessary for connecting with Allah (تعالى‎ ‎‎و سبحانه ).

The Prophet's Prayer was the culmination of the highest levels of both spiritual and physical aspects of worship.  For reaching that goal, and attaining His acceptance of our Ṣalâh, it is imperative to follow his example, as he himself instructed: 

Offer your Salah the way you see me offering them. (Ṣaḥîḥ Al-Bukhârî, 5662; Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim, 674)

The Prophet (ﷺ) guarded his prayer with his body, mind and spirit.  Any one who would guard his prayer, the way the Prophet (ﷺ) did, he will inherit the Paradise:

"…And who (strictly) guard their prayers—these will be the heirs, who will inherit the Paradise: they will dwell therein (forever)."  (Surah Al Mu'minun 23:9-11) 

It is good to remind ourselves of the Prophet's way of Prayer by reading or re-reading the Hadith related to Ṣalâh.  For that I recommend Book 4 (Prayer) of Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim.

References

1.     The Noble Qur'an, (English Translation of the meaning and commentary, accomplished at King Fahd Complex, K. S. A. Year 1419 A.H., For Printing of the Holy Qur'an: P.O.Box No. 6262, Madinah Munawwarah) 

2.     The Holy Qur'an (Text, Translation and Commentary, new Revised Edition, Published by Amana Corporation, Brentwood Maryland 20722, 1409 A.H./1989 A.C.)

3.     Riyad As-Saliheen Translated by Dr. Muhammad Amin Abu Usamah Al-Arabi bin Razduq, Published June 1999, Published by Darussalam, Riyad, K. S. A.

4.     A Guide to Prayer In Islam: "Pray As You Have seen Me Praying", M. Abdul Karim Saqib d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_a...

5.     Stories of the Prophets, Imam Ibn Kathir. Translated by Sheikh Muhammad Gemeiah, Office of the Grand Imam, Sheikh Al-Azhar, 1997, Published by El-Nour for Publishing Distribution, Mansoura, Egypt.

8.      Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), Abriged by a group of scholars under the supervision of Shaykh Saifur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri, September 2000, published by Darussalam.  

9.      Embryogenesis, The Developing Human Moore & Persaud, 7th Edition, 2003, Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier)


Mohammed Uddin


Mohammed Uddin

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Fwd: Salah, the Deep Reach part 2



Begin forwarded message:

From: Mohammed Uddin <msuddin5@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Salah, the Deep Reach part 2
Date: January 10, 2023 at 10:06:09 AM CST

Ṣalah: The Deep Reach of Islamic Prayer 

Part 2 of 3

Mohammed S. Uddin

 

Why Ṣalah?  What are the beneficial ends accomplished for the individual Muslim and for his community by their proper practice of Ṣalah? 

 

Part II: Physical Health Benefits of Ṣalah

The physical health benefits of our Prayer are based, first, on personal hygiene and, secondly, on proper use of the vehicles that carry us (our physical bodies). 

Personal hygiene is guaranteed through the proper application of the ritual bath [ghusl] and wuḍu:

The ritual bath [ghusl] is mandatory before Prayer: 

"If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity, clean your whole body [aghsilû]…" [Sûrah Al-Mâ'idah, 5:6]

It removes physical contaminations and offers the best preventive measure against the possibility of transmitting all diseases. 

In addition to the mandatory baths, routine showers are highly recommended because it adds to the hygienic value of wuḍu [routine ablution] and ritual baths.  The wisdom is that the human body harbors many kinds of pathogens, which can be harmful to the individual under certain circumstances —and which can also be transmitted to others for whom it can be deadly. In addition to removing pathogens, regular showers get rid of the dead skin, sweat and bad odor. 

In addition, there are actions guided by natural instincts that contribute to the preservation of personal health that improve spiritual life and make social life pleasant.  

Narrated by 'A'isha  the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 

"Ten are among the Fitrah (instinct, natural constitution): trimming the mustache, growing the beard, using siwak, inhaling and exhaling water (in ablution), cutting the nails, washing between the fingers (in ablution), plucking the underarm hair, shaving the pubic hair, washing with water after answering the call of nature, rinsing the mouth (in ablution)." (Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim 1:223)

Wuḍu (ablution, washing with clean water) is required for every Ṣalah; dry ablution (tayammun, wiping with clean sand), is an option only under certain preconditions.  Wuḍu starts with cleaning the hands, followed by rinsing the mouth and throat, cleaning the nose, washing the face, washing the arms up to elbows, wiping the head, and finally washing the feet:  

"O you who believe! When you prepare for Prayer [Ṣalah], wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub over your heads; and (wash) your feet to the ankles." [Sûrah Al-Mâ'idah, 5:6]

On the superiority of ablution, 

Abu Hurairah  said, "I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, 

"On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called Al-Ghurr-al-Muhajjalun ["people with shiny skin"] from the traces of ablution, and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly)"  (Ṣaḥîḥ Al-Bukhârî, Chapter 3, Hadith 138; Riyaḍ Al-Saliḥîn, Vol 1, Hadith 1024)  

Wuḍu has profound hygienic values. Cleaning the hands, face, forearms and feet helps get rid of environmental contaminations like sweat and dirt, and pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Rinsing the mouth with clean water helps clean the debris from the mouth, cleaning the throat helps get rid of the virulent bacteria like streptococcus, and cleaning the nose with water helps clean the dirt and pathogenic bacteria like staphylococcus. Wuḍu, accordingly, purifies the exposed parts of the body, washes away the dirt and germs, and minimizes the chance of cultivating or spreading infection. 

The regular practice of simple hand-washing with soap and water— before and after eating; before preparation of food; after coming into contact with impurity (in rest rooms, for example); after coughing and sneezing; and after touching any surface touched by people of unknown health backgrounds— are of paramount importance to prevent deadly infections like CoVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus infection), SARS, and MERS. Once infected, then the measures of self-quarantine, hand-washing, wearing gloves, and respiratory isolation (masking) are necessary preventive measures at the personal level.  In global or regional pandemics, a national quarantine may be necessary.  

Use of the siwak is a highly recommended practice of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ):

Narrated by Abu Hurairah  the Prophet said,

"If I had not found it a hardship for my ummah, I would order them to make wuḍu' for every ṣalah and to use miswâk in every wuḍu."  (JamiC al-Tirmidhi  Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 22)

Siwak has many scientifically demonstrated values. 

Clean dress for Prayer is mandatory:  It is an adornment; it prevents lewdness, confers modesty and safeguards morality: 

"O children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying and going round the KaCba (Tawwaf)..."  [Sûrah Al-A'raf, 7:31]

Guarding chastity by covering the awrah (private parts) is a natural instinct.  Inappropriate exposure of the awrah is an invitation to lewdness, an instigation from Shaitan. Tempting others with one's physical beauty and psychological reactions eventually lead to illegal relationships.  Lewdness is the evil at the root of all moral degradation, and the spread of mental and physical illness. Appropriate dress is a raiment of righteousness and a protection against lewdness:

"O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourself and as an adornment; and the raiment of righteousness, that is better..."  [Sûrah Al-A'raf, 7:26) 

The vehicle that carries us is our skeletal system. One of the health benefits of Prayer is physical fitness.  The physical activity of Prayer is an agency leading to attaining physical fitness.  The various acts of Prayer, when done properly and fully, demand a steady, strong, and a flexible skeletal frame. Mankind has been created in that frame to meet that demand: 

"We created mankind in the best stature (mold)."  [Sûrah Al-Tîn, 95:4].

This unique mold or frame is comprised of approximately 640 muscles, 206 bones, and 360 joints. A saying of the Prophet addresses the number of joints in the human body in relationship to their functional movements:

Narrated by CAishah the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"Everyone of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints; so he who declares the Glory of Allah (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar), praises Allah (i.e.,saying Al-hamdu lillah), declares Allah to be One (i.e., saying La ilaha illallah), glorifies Allah, and seeks forgiveness from Allah (i.e., saying Astaghfirullah), and removes a stone, or thorn, or bone from people's path, and enjoins good and forbids evil, to the number of those three hundred and sixty, will walk that day having rescued himself from Hell."  (Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim Chapter CCCLXX, vol. II, page 483, Hadith 2199)

The method of Prayer taught by the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) assures the correct use of the human frame (the divinely formed mold) in all stations of Prayer.  A perfect Prayer involves the movement of all 360 joints, 650 muscles, and 206 bones, together with all the ligaments around the joints.  

After assuming a position during Ṣalah, sufficient time must be allowed for the joints and muscles to relax and return to their normal and comfortable positions before moving on to the next position; otherwise the benefit will be compromised and the Prayer will be deficient (Jami'at-Tirmidhi vol.1, book 2 Hdith 302).  So it is not just the heart, mind and tongue, but also the entire skeletal system that gets engaged in Prayer so as to "pay the charity due on them:"

Narrated by Abu Hurairah that the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said: 

"There is a Sadaqa to be given for every joint of the human body; and for every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of Sadaqa (i.e. charitable gift) for the one who establishes justice among people."  (Ṣaḥîḥ Al-Bukhârî, 2707, Vol. 3, Book 49, Hadith 870) 

Referring to the importance of physical fitness, 

Narrated by Mujâhid   from Ibn 'Umar  that the Prophet (ﷺ) said :

"Take [benefit] from your health before illness [sets in], [from your] life before death [comes]" (JamiC al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 4, Book 36, Hadith 30; Book 10, Hadith 2333) 

Narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet said:

"There are two blessings that many people lose: [they are] health and free time for doing good." (Ṣaḥîḥ Al-Bukhârî, Vol. 8, Book 81, Hadith 1; Book 76, Hadith 421)

Health and time are two blessings that are too often taken for granted, and sometimes abused:  Time translates into life, and health helps to maximize the use of those precious hours of life.  The preservation of health depends on good personal hygiene, good eating habits and exercise.  Since the Islamic ritual of Prayer [Ṣalah] requires strict personal hygiene, and since, in a subtle way, it offers the format for total body exercise that involves all muscles, bones, joints and ligaments—in a gentle, non-vigorous method— so then regularity and punctuality in properly performed Prayer offers long lasting physical benefits. 

Prayer teaches effective time management through performing Prayers on time as announced through the Adhân:

"…But when you are free from danger, set up Regular Prayer: for such prayers are enjoined on Believers at stated time."  (Surah Al Nisa, 4:103)

Furthermore, it teaches the importance of working together when each musallî responds to the call of the Iqâmah.  

Since time is precious, any extra time after the obligatory duties should be used in doing good deeds and in the worship of Allah  (تعالى‎ ‎‎و سبحانه ), such as voluntary [Nafila] Prayer at night:

"So when you are free (have finished your required activities), devote yourself to Allah's worship.  And to your Lord (alone) turn (all your) intention and hope." [Sûrah Al-Sharḥ, 94:7-8]

To be continued in Part 3...


 

Mohammed Uddin

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