2 Questions on Salat

[Aamer]

2 things I have been struggling with about Salat. I was taught since childhood to do these things during Salat but now I'm having trouble understanding the reasoning. Please advise....

1) Why do Muslims send blessings on the Prophet during Salat? (Durood)

I don't have a problem with sending blessings on the prophet. But during Salat seems strange if you think about it. Isn't Salat supposed to be to worship Allah and nothing else? When prophet Muhammad was alive... Did he send blessings on himself during Salat?

2) Why do Muslims say Salaam to the right and left to end prayers?

Some say it's to the angel and jinn. Why are we acknowledging them when we should be worshipping our creator? Others say it's for mankind. Again, isn't Salat only for you to worship Allah?

I'm a skeptic and think human beings tend to change Gods religions. So please give me logical answers to these questions if you have some insight as to why these things do or don't belong in Salat. Thanks.

 

[cocolia42]

2 things I have been struggling with about Salat. I was taught since childhood to do these things during Salat but now I'm having trouble understanding the reasoning. Please advise....I'm a skeptic and think human beings tend to change Gods religions. So please give me logical answers to these questions if you have some insight as to why these things do or don't belong in Salat. Thanks.

You're religion says Quranist, so I suppose "there are authentic hadith telling us to do this" would not be a logical answer for you, huh? If you'd like, we can find some hadith for you. Just let us know.

1) Why do Muslims send blessings on the Prophet during Salat? (Durood)

I don't have a problem with sending blessings on the prophet. But during Salat seems strange if you think about it. Isn't Salat supposed to be to worship Allah and nothing else? When prophet Muhammad was alive... Did he send blessings on himself during Salat?

Well, let's see, what else do we do during salat? Do we ask Allah to guide us to the straight path? Yes. Do we ask Allah to send His peace upon us and all of Allah's righteous servants? Yes. Do we ask Allah to forgive us? Yes.
Do you consider these things to be part of worshiping Allah? If so, then why not also ask Allah to send His blessings upon the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa salam)? If not, then why not question these aspects of salat as well?

I would say that salat is a connection between you and your Lord. And anything you do solely for the sake of Allah would be considered an act of worship. So when you ask Allah to send blessings upon the one He sent as a Mercy to us, that's an act of worship.

2) Why do Muslims say Salaam to the right and left to end prayers?

Some say it's to the angel and jinn. Why are we acknowledging them when we should be worshipping our creator? Others say it's for mankind. Again, isn't Salat only for you to worship Allah?

Again, since "because the Prophet told us to" may not be a logical answer for you...
The only "reason" I've heard comes from ibn Ajiba (who I believe was sufi). He said that during your salat you are having a personal connection with Allah, unconscious of those around you. At the closing of the prayer, you return to those around you and therefore greet them with salam. This greeting is to your fellow worshipers (of man and jinn) and the recording angels.
And again, when you greet others with salam, for the sake of Allah, it is an act of worship.

 

[Aamer]

Hadith may not convince me. But I'd still like to hear what Hadith are out there. I'd still want to know why the Muslim world does these things. I've heard some Sunni imams say that saying Salaam at the end is not obligatory. In Quran it says end prayer with "Alhamdulillahi Rab il Alameen" (verse below). But I do agree that Salat is a personal connection between you and God. I don't think details like where you place your hands matters. But if we're doing something that may be wrong, that's different. But I'm not trying to start a fight. I am just curious what the reasoning is and what sources are being used (Quran/Hadith, etc). I put it in debate section in case people have differences in opinion, so they can present their evidence. Peace!

[10:10] Their prayer in it is: "Glory be to our god!" and their greeting in it is: "Peace," and the end of their prayer is: "Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds!"

 

[Gharib]

2 things I have been struggling with about Salat. I was taught since childhood to do these things during Salat but now I'm having trouble understanding the reasoning. Please advise....

1) Why do Muslims send blessings on the Prophet during Salat? (Durood)

I don't have a problem with sending blessings on the prophet. But during Salat seems strange if you think about it. Isn't Salat supposed to be to worship Allah and nothing else? When prophet Muhammad was alive... Did he send blessings on himself during Salat?

Allah commands us to send blessings (salawat) upon the Prophet:

[33:56] Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.

Salah does not mean worship. Salah can be classified as Ibadah just as any other act of obedience. Ibadah is the actual word which translates to 'worship'. Salah is just another form of Ibadah.

So Salah isn't really a form of worship as it is usually referred to, since as explained by Cocolia, we make dua and ask Allah for things while in Salah. The general ruling of making dua is that we praise Allah, ask him to send his blessings upon the Prophet and then ask for what we wish. And that is exactly what we do by reciting the Tashahud, the Durood (salawat) and the dua that we make after these two.

The Prophet used to recite Durood. The Sahaba once asked him what is the best for of Durood:

The Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (radhiallahu anhum) inquired from Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as to which durood should they recite (during salah). Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied: "Recite the following durood- Allahuma salli `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin kama sallata `ala Ibrahim wa `ala ali Ibrahim. Innaka hameedun majeed. wa barik Allahuma `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta `ala Ibrahim wa `ala ali Ibrahim. Innaka hameedun majeed.

I think the book where you can find this hadith is called Sifatus Salah. It only references authentic hadith.

Will get to the second part latter.

 

[Pastek]

1) Why do Muslims send blessings on the Prophet during Salat? (Durood)

I don't have a problem with sending blessings on the prophet. But during Salat seems strange if you think about it. Isn't Salat supposed to be to worship Allah and nothing else? When prophet Muhammad was alive... Did he send blessings on himself during Salat?

Salam Aamer

I don't remember very well where i read/heard it, but i was taught that when you send your blessings to Prophet Muhamad (saw), God will bless you much more.

If i find a link i'll post it. But maybe i just heard it from someone, i don't remember well

When prophet Muhammad was alive... Did he send blessings on himself during Salat?

That's a good question, but i don't know either

2) Why do Muslims say Salaam to the right and left to end prayers?

Some say it's to the angel and jinn. Why are we acknowledging them when we should be worshipping our creator? Others say it's for mankind. Again, isn't Salat only for you to worship Allah?

It's not for jinns or humans but only for the angels present at our right and left.

For what i know, the angels ask everyday God to have mercy on us.
So, i don't see any problem to salute them back.

How do you do your prayer ?

 

[cocolia42]

Hadith may not convince me. But I'd still like to hear what Hadith are out there. I'd still want to know why the Muslim world does these things. I've heard some Sunni imams say that saying Salaam at the end is not obligatory. In Quran it says end prayer with "Alhamdulillahi Rab il Alameen" (verse below). But I do agree that Salat is a personal connection between you and God. I don't think details like where you place your hands matters. But if we're doing something that may be wrong, that's different. But I'm not trying to start a fight. I am just curious what the reasoning is and what sources are being used (Quran/Hadith, etc). I put it in debate section in case people have differences in opinion, so they can present their evidence. Peace!

[10:10] Their prayer in it is: "Glory be to our god!" and their greeting in it is: "Peace," and the end of their prayer is: "Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds!"

The word used here translated as prayer is da’wahum. This is not the same as salat. It’s da’wa, calling or invocation. Also, it’s referring to when we are in Paradise

[9:9] Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - their Lord will guide them because of their faith. Beneath them rivers will flow in the Gardens of Pleasure

Here are some hadith regarding blessing the Prophet during prayer:

'Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) said:
While observing prayer behind the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) we used to recite: Peace be upon Allah, peace be upon so and so. One day the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to us: Verily Allah is Himself Peace. When any one of you sits during the prayer. he should say: All services rendered by words, by acts of worship, and all good things are due to Allah. Peace be upon you,0 Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah's upright servants, for when he says this it reaches every upright servant in heaven and earth (and say further): I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Then he may choose any supplication which pleases him and offer it.
(Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith 59)

Ibn 'Abbas reported:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to teach us tashahbud just as he used to teach us a Sura of the Qur'an, and he would say: All services rendered by., words, acts of worship. and all good thirgs are due to Allah. Peace be upon you,0 Prophet. and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah's upright servants. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. In the narration of Ibn Rumb (the words are):" As he would teach us the Qur'an."
(Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith 64)

Hattan b. 'Abdullah al-Raqiishi reported:
I observed prayer with Abu Musu al-Ash'ari and when he was in the qa'dah, one among the people said: The prayer has been made obligatory along with piety and Zakat. He (the narrator) said: When Abu Musa had finished the prayer after salutation he tuined (towards the people) and said: Who amongst you said such and such a thing? A hush fell on the people. He again said.. Who amongst you has said such and such a thing? A hush fell on the people. He (Abu Musa) said: Hattan, It is perhaps you that have uttered it. He (Hattan) said No. I have not uttered it. I was afraid that you might be annoyed with me on account of this. A person amongst the people said: It was I who said it, and In this I intended nothing but good. Abu Musa said: Don't you know what you have to recite in your prayers? Verily the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) addressed us and explained to us all Its aspects and taught us how to observe prayer (properly). He (the Holy Prophet) said: When you pray make your rows straight and let anyone amongst you act as your Imim. Recite the takbir when he recites it and when be recites: Not of those with whom Thou art angry. nor of those who go astray, say: Amin. Allah would respond you. And when he (the Imim) recites the takbir, you may also recite the takbir, for the Imam bows before you and raises himself before you. Then the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The one is equivalent to the other. And when he says: Allah listens to him who praises Him, you should say: 0 Allah, our. Lord, to Thee be the praise, for Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has vouchsafed (us) through the tongue of His Apostle (may peace be upon him) that Allah listens to him who praises Him. And when he (the Imim) recites the takbir and prostrates, you should also recite the takbir and prostrate, for the Imim prostrates before you and raises himself before you. The Messenger' of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The one is equi- valent to the other. And when he (the Imim) sits for Qa'da (for tashahhud) the first words of every one amongst you should be: All services rendered by words, acts of worship and all good things are due to Allah. Peace be upon you,0 Apostle, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the upright servants of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Mubammad is His servant and His Messenger.
(Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith 66)

Abdullah b. Zaid-he who was shown the call (for prayer in a dream) narrated it on the authority of Mas'ad al-Ansiri who said:
We were sitting in the company of Sa'id b. 'Ubida when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to us. Bashir b. S'ad said: Allah has commanded us to bless you. Messenger of Allah! But how should we bless you? He (the narrator) said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) kept quiet (and we were so much perturbed over his silence) that we wished we had not asked him. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) then said: (For blessing me) say:" 0 Allah, bless Muhammad and the members of his household as Thou didst bless the mernbers of Ibrahim's household. Grant favours to Muhammad and the members of his household as Thou didst grant favours to the members of the household of Ibrahim in the world. Thou art indeed Praiseworthy and Glorious" ; and salutation as you know.
(Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith 69)

Ibn Abi Laila reported:
Ka'b b. 'Ujra met me and said: Should I not offer you a present (and added): The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to us and we said: We have learnt how to invoke peace upon you; (kindly tell us) how we should bless you. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Say:" O Allah: bless Muhammad and his family as Thou didst bless the family of Ibrahim. Verily Thou art Praiseworthy and Glorious, O Allah."
(Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith 70)


​

Here are some hadith about ending the prayer with taslim:

'A'isha reported:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to begin prayer with takbir (saying Allih-o-Akbar) and the recitation:" Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe." When he bowed he neither kept his head up nor bent it down, but kept it between these extremes; when he raised his bead after bow- ing he did not prostrate himself till he had stood erect; when he raised his head after prostration he did not prostrate himself again till he satup. At the end of every two rak'ahs he recited the tahiyya; and he used to place his left foot flat (on the ground) and raise up the right; he prohibited the devil's way of sitting on the heels, and he forbade people to spread out their arms like a wild beast. And he used to finish the prayer with the taslim.
(Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith 272)

'Amir b. Sa'd reported:
I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be open him) pronouncing taslim on his right and on his left till I saw the whiteness of his cheek.
(Sahih Muslim Book 5, Hadith 153)

Narrated `Itban bin Malik:
We prayed with the Prophet (pbuh) and used to finish our prayer with the Taslim along with him.
(Sahih al-Bukhari Book 10, Hadith 231)

Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is takbir and its end is taslim.
Graded Sahih (Al Albani) (Sunan Abi Dawud Book 1, Hadith 61)
​

 

[Abdu Samad]

2 things I have been struggling with about Salat. I was taught since childhood to do these things during Salat but now I'm having trouble understanding the reasoning. Please advise....

1) Why do Muslims send blessings on the Prophet during Salat? (Durood)

I don't have a problem with sending blessings on the prophet. But during Salat seems strange if you think about it. Isn't Salat supposed to be to worship Allah and nothing else? When prophet Muhammad was alive... Did he send blessings on himself during Salat?

2) Why do Muslims say Salaam to the right and left to end prayers?

Some say it's to the angel and jinn. Why are we acknowledging them when we should be worshipping our creator? Others say it's for mankind. Again, isn't Salat only for you to worship Allah?

I'm a skeptic and think human beings tend to change Gods religions. So please give me logical answers to these questions if you have some insight as to why these things do or don't belong in Salat. Thanks.

Salat of Quran has no any relation with Five daily Rituals:

Brother: You have raised very important points but it is pity that when U differ with fanatics, instead of bringing any Logical and Rational point in debate, they start to place different labels on you like Qadiani, Quranist or Submitters, hadith rejecter and many many others etc.

1- Truth is, that Salat of Quran has no any relation with 5 daily Rituals. Quran says that thousands years ago, all Prophets established Salat but we Muslims were given 5 rituals after the production of Hadith of Miraaj (night journey) but Prophet never left behind any Hadith in written form except Written Quran.

2- If 5 Rituals that we receive from hadith of Miraaj, are Salaat, then how thousands years before the date of production of hadith of Miraaj, previous prophets established Salat?

3- Quran says: Even Birds establish Salat. Do birds come in Mosque to pray 5 Rituals?

4- Quran says: Even Trees and Mountains do Sajada/Yasjodo to Allah Jalla Aala. Do Star and Mountains has any forehead that they place in mosques? [word Sajada has many meanings in Arabic literature, and not just prostration]

5- Whole Atta-Hiyaat including Drood/Salaat Ibrahimi does not exist in complete and fully detailed Quran 16:89; then who made up text of Atta-Hiyaat and Drood Ibrahimi? and when?

6- Quranic verse 72:18 ordains "La Tadou Ma Allah" Mosques are ONLY for Allah and do not invoke any other name side by side with Allah in Mosques". Therefore, whole Atta-Hiyaat & Drood Ibrahimi totally violates verse 72:18.

7- Word Salat appeared in Quran about 25 times before the date of incidence of Miraaj. Then, how Muslims were establishing Slaat (aqimu-Salat) before the date of Miraaj in which we were given 5 daily Rituals?

8- We do not want to hurt any one by mentioning the name of that Person nor we wish to be blocked by owners of this Forum, so we will not mention here the name of that Person who 1200 years ago converted DEEN Islam into Religion of Mullahs and Imams

9- DEEN = A System & not Religion. DEEN=Divinely prescribed way of Life. Components of a System are Laws, Codes, rules, regulation and some rites that we find in Quran. Because Quran is BOOK of DEEN=System, and not of Theology 2:213. This is why, there is no any theological rituals in whole Quran. Quranic Verse 2:177 blasts rituals, and ordains Philanthropy.
Hajj of Quran is very simple, & so is fasting. Why should we make it complex by adding in it many pre-Islamic innovations? Did Allah forget to tell us 2.5% Zakat in Quran? Does Allah forget? Because neither Salat mean rituals nor Zakat mean mere 2.5% Charity. Salat and Zakat are backbone of Divine System of Quran. If Allah has given a simple & clear method of Ablution and Ghusal (Bath taking) in 5:6, then why we want to make it different and complex? If Allah has not told you, with which hand, you should drink water; that mean Quran has left this option to you. Quran does not want to dictate you over your very basic rights.

Allah has made clear in 16:116, that Criteria of Halaal and Haraam is only Book of Allah 6:114, 5:44, 47:2, 6:19, then why our Mullahs and Imams has made tons of things Haraam that Quran never declared Haraam?

Quran tells us that in order to decide for you Hell or Paradise, your all bad and good deeds will be counted & weighed 21:47. But we read tons of hadiths made up 250-400 years after Prophet, that gives you many many shortcuts to enter in Paradise like half-date charity will take you to paradise, If you commit all crimes in your whole life and at end say "La Ilaha IL-Allah"; you will enter in paradise, If you do all crimes but memorize 99 names of Allah Jalla Aala, You will enter in paradise, if U are the top most criminal on planet but if you die on Friday, you will go to paradise.....List of these short-cuts is very long.

Quran 21:47 (Asad) "But We shall set up just balance-scales on Resurrection Day, and no human being shall be wronged in the least: for though there be [in him but] the weight of a mustard-seed [of good or evil], We shall bring it forth; and none can take count as We do!."
Note: So, One must live as a righteous person in his whole life in order to have success after death. Quran makes clear, that no one will be your intercessor on that day, except Allah

Quran is Book of Divine Sociology, and never of Theocracy 2:213, 2:177, 6:114, 5:44

10- Allah says, his Quran is complete and fully detailed and explains every things that is needed in Islam 16:89. If Allah can mention complex fractional math like 1/2, 1/6 etc in inheritance verses, then what was difficult for Allah to tell us number of each units of Shia and Sunni Rituals, and what to read in Qayyaam and what to read in Atta-Hiyaat? If Salat Juma was a ritual (which is not), then why Allah did not tell us, how many units are for Friday-Jum'aa rituals for Suni, Shia Wahabi, Salafi +++++?. And all sects has different methods of Rituals. Did Allah tell every sect their own methods?

11- All our above-given discussion proves that Salat of Quran is NEVER EVER 5 Daily Rituals called also Namaz. As usual, we will not accept any reference from hadiths and Sunna books because Prophet never left behind any written hadith or Sunna behind. Six Sunni Hadith Books were canonized by Abbasid Caliphs 250-400 years after the death of Prophet. Material in that Books were neither written under supervision of Prophet nor that Books were certified by Prophet. So we cannot accept any reference from that apocryphal material

Now point is, that if Salat is not rituals, then what is Salat? To read full full discussion on "What is Salat of Quran?" we sugget reader, to Google following line:

Allah says, his Quran is complete and fully detailed and miss nothing that is needed in Islam, then why we do not see any detail and units of 5 daily Namaz rituals?

 

[Kanishaili Zamindar]

Stick to the Quran. Islamic history is what it is, part of history of civilization, based on hearsay, however, popularized by calling it hadith and associating with Muhammed SWA to get acceptance and following thru fear.

Per the Quran, Salat format composed of only Standing, Bowing and Prostrating, as many ayats clearly state this 3 requirements. And, Allah wants you to do dua at end of prayer, also in the Quran, "When ye have performed the act of worship, remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining."

So, clearly, my proposition, to teach a vastly unlettered population, Mohammed SWA systematized the worship/prayer as we see it today, i.e., instead of bedouin running off after the Prostration, he had them sit and do a standard/broad dua, Attahiyat.