{"id":556,"date":"2015-02-26T15:29:42","date_gmt":"2015-02-26T15:29:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/azmi.co\/cust\/ngba-wp\/?page_id=556"},"modified":"2017-12-16T02:00:13","modified_gmt":"2017-12-16T02:00:13","slug":"arabic-why-to-pray-in","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/?page_id=556","title":{"rendered":"Arabic-Why to pray in?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the name of All\u0101h,<\/span>
\nthe Beneficent, the Merciful.<\/span>
\nPeace and Blessings of All\u0101h on Mohammad.<\/span>
\nDEDICATED TO<\/span>
\nAll\u0101h\u2013the Glorious and the High,<\/span>
\nLord of the worlds<\/span>
\nAND TO<\/span>
\nMohammad\u2013who brought the world<\/span>
\nto our feet and eternity to our arms.<\/span>
\n*<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0WHY PRAY IN ARABIC?<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nIn her book\u00a0<\/span>The Trouble with Islam\u00a0<\/a><\/span>Irshad Manji wrote: \u201cTaslima Nasrin, a feminist writer and doctor exiled from Bangladesh, gave me a concrete example of what she experienced well before the Saudis got rich.\u00a0 \u201cAs a child,\u201d she said, \u201cI was told that Allah knows everything.\u00a0 Everything means everything<\/i>. So Allah should know Bengali, shouldn\u2019t He?\u201d She asked her mother, \u201cHow come I have to pray in Arabic?\u00a0 When I want to talk to Allah, why do I have to use somebody else\u2019s language?\u201d Her mother didn\u2019t offer reasons only routines. <\/span>(Perhaps her mother was not learned)<\/i>…The Koran insists that \u201cto God belongs the east and the west. Whichever way you turn there is the face of God.\u201d\u00a0 Why, then, must<\/i> Muslims bow to Mecca five times a day? Isn\u2019t that a sign of being desert-whipped?\u201d (pp. 152-153).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Though Muslims may communicate with All\u0101h, God, in his native tongue at times other than in our salah <\/i>\u2013formatted prayer; Muslims communicate with Allah in their salah <\/i>in the Arabic language precisely because Allah knows everything and all languages, even Bengali\u2013 <\/span>so we can reap the full wealth of the meanings of the Qur\u2019an\/Arabic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims who are of the view that the Qur\u2019anic portions of salah<\/i> should be offered in a person\u2019s own language, which he understands, as opposed to these portions being recited in the Qur\u2019anic Arabic, must know that in reciting the equivalent to the Qur\u2019anic verses is to compromise one\u2019s prayer. (You can obtain a translation of the Qur\u2019an in the language you know; have an understanding of what you are reading).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 There are certain Arabic terms, such as Rabb,<\/i> that cannot adequately be compensated for in any other language. In fact, there are some Muslim scholars who are of the view that the Qur\u2019an should not be translated into any language, as these languages are deficient in expressing the Qur\u2019an. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 When we pray subhan Allah,<\/i> we are not merely offering the English equivalent, thanksgiving<\/i>; but are also declaring Allah to be free of all imperfections and defects.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 When we pray \u201cAllah\u201d<\/i> instead of the generic, God (or other names), we are honoring God as the One and Only; the Eternal, Absolute; on Whom all depend; Who begets not nor is begotten; there is none like unto Him; He incarnates not; He has no \u201cchosen people\u201d to the exclusion of others; is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden; the belief in all His Angels, Revelations, Prophets, in the Resurrection and Judgment, and in Hell and Heaven \/Paradise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 When we pray al-Rahman<\/i> and al-Raheem<\/i> instead of the common Beneficent<\/i> and Merciful<\/i> we are expressing, as Muham-mad Ali notes from the Prophet Mohammad, that \u201cAl-Rahman<\/i> is the Beneficent God Whose love and mercy are manifested in the creation of this world (and Who forgives sins without the need for some satisfaction, as vicarious atonement<\/i>\u2013Admin.); <\/span>and al-Raheem<\/i> is the Merciful God Whose love and mercy are mani-fested in the state that comes after.\u201d Muhammad Ali added, \u201cthe English language lacks an equivalent of al-Rahman<\/i>\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019anic comm. #3).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 When we pray \u201cRabb\u201d <\/i>instead of the common, Lord, we are acknowledging Allah to be the Fosterer, Nourisher, Regulator, Completer <\/i>and Accomplisher<\/i> \u2013or \u201cNourisher to perfection\u201d<\/i>\u2013 of all things. \u201cHence, Rabb<\/i> is the Author of all existence, Who has not only given to the whole creation its means of nourishment but has also beforehand ordained for each a sphere of capacity and within that sphere provided the means by which it continues to attain gradually to its goal of perfection.\u201d (M. Ali. Qur\u2019anic comm. #5).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Sura Fatiha<\/i> (the opening Chapter of the Qur\u2019an) is the \u201cquintessence\u201d of the Qur\u2019an. Offering the Fatiha<\/i> in a language other than Arabic, one is depriving him\/herself of an expanse of irreplaceable blessings. Multiply this loss by five (for the five daily prayers). Calculate the rewards lost in reciting the remainder of the prayer in an equivalent language. Now calculate the loss over one\u2019s lifetime.\u00a0 Even if one does not understand Arabic (though he\/she can learn it or can consult the translation)<\/span><\/i> it is the meaning expressed in its Arabic recitation that is paramount.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Moreover, Islam is the universal religion and the Qur\u2019anic expression is a universal language. A person of one language can offer congregational salah<\/i> in any part of the world and would be conversant with the Qur\u2019anic recitation, as opposed to salah<\/i> being offered in a language which the traveler may not understand. Islam is the universal religion. There is no universality in each person offering his salah in his own tongue.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 While Muslims are to offer the salah <\/i>in Arabic, Muslims are not to \u201cparrot\u201d the Qur\u2019an; knowledge of its contents is mandatory; this knowledge can be acquired by learning the Arabic language or by obtaining a translation of the Qur\u2019an. As the Qur\u2019an is not a story-book, a translation with commentaries is essential to understand the background of verses. (With respect to notes and commentaries, I have found Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an to be superior. His translation of the Qur\u2019an can be viewed online: www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

(I recall hearing it said that on the Day of Judgment Arabic will be the language that will be spoken. It may be advanced that how can this be when everyone does not speak or know Arabic? Firstly, as Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din points out, \u201cno one of the languages of the world, excepting that of the Hedjaz, is spoken now in the form in which it existed at the time of the Holy Prophet.\u201d1<\/span><\/sup> Thus, Arabic seems to be the only language in its pristine purity. That everyone will be speaking Arabic in the Hereafter is not fantastic. According to the Bible \u201cthe whole earth was of <\/span>ONE<\/span> language, and of <\/span>ONE <\/span>speech,\u201d but to confuse the builders of the Tower of Babel from reaching Him God \u201cconfound their language, that they may not understand one another\u2019s speech\u201d\u2013Genesis 11:1-8).
\n<\/span><\/span>Since God gave one language and can \u201cconfound\u201d people into various languages then clearly He can also bring all people of all languages into speaking\/understanding one language \u2013Arabic).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why bow to Makkah?:<\/span><\/i> Muslims do not \u201cbow\u201d to Makkah. We bow to Allah.\u00a0 We only face Makkah.\u00a0 We face Makkah because, even though Allah\u2019s face is everywhere, He enjoins on us to face the Ka\u2019ba in Makkah, when we offer our salah<\/i>\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:144, 149). This is part of the universality of Islam: Muslims all around the globe facing one direction.\u00a0 The other three factors of the universality of Islam are: (1) Offering salah<\/i> in Arabic; (2) circumambulating the Ka\u2019bah, which symbolizes unity with Muslims from every point of the world; (3) the hajj\u2013gathering of Muslims from all over the world. The hajj is the only Divinely instituted pilgrimage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Qiblah<\/em> is the direction Muslims face to pray. And this Qiblah is the Ka\u2019bah in Makkah. In His Qur\u2019an All\u0101h instructs the Prophet and Muslims to face the Ka\u2019bah when we pray:\u00a0 \u201cturn then thy face towards the Sacred Masjid. And wherever<\/strong> you are turn your faces towards it;\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cAnd from whatsoever place thou comest forth<\/strong>, turn thy face towards the Sacred Masjid\u2026And from whatsoever place thou comest forth<\/strong>, turn thy face towards the Sacred Masjid\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:144, 149-150).<\/span><\/p>\n

To which one quarter postulates that Muslims can only face the Qiblah\/Ka\u2019bah if the earth was flat (meaning that the Qur\u2019an teaches that the earth is flat)..
\nBut as shown in <\/span>Qur\u2019an-science<\/a><\/span> \u00a0All\u0101h reveals that the earth is spherical. While Muslims who are in Makkah and <\/span>\u201cwherever\u201d<\/strong> else in Arabia and those who \u201c<\/span>comest forth<\/strong>\u201d from other lands to Arabia directly face the Ka\u2019bah, Muslims in other parts of the world, though the earth is spherical, are also facing the Ka\u2019bah. The Muslim prayer is not only in standing but also includes bowing and prostrating. Thus, in our movement from standing to prostrating Muslims around the world will at some point be facing the direction of the Ka\u2019bah.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whereas the Ka\u2019bah spiritually represents All\u0101h: \u201cSo let them serve the Lord of this House (Ka\u2019bah)\u201d\u2013<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 106:3); the entire city of Makkah is Qiblah: \u201cI am commanded only to serve the Lord of this city (Makkah), <\/strong>Who has made it sacred\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 27:91).
\n<\/span>Thus, if we take the air-space of the area of Makkah \u2013as nations take the air-space over their territories to be their own\u2013<\/span> then Muslims anywhere in the world, in their movement from standing to prostrating, would have come into focus with this space; which is enough for Qiblah.<\/em><\/p>\n

Even if there are regions of the earth where Muslims would not\u00a0 face the Ka\u2019bah, this is of no consequence. All\u0101h is ever-present wherever we face: \u201cTo All\u0101h belong the East and the West; so whithersoever you turn, there is the Face\/Presence of All\u0101h\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:115).
\n<\/span>And righteousness does not lie in which direction we face but in faith in All\u0101h and doing good deeds: \u201cIt is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and the West, but righteous is the one who believes in Allah, and the Last Day,<\/strong> and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and gives away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask and to set slaves free \u00a0<\/em>and keeps up prayer and pays the poor-rate; and the performers of their promise when they make a promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in the time of conflict. These are they who are truthful; and these are they who keep their duty\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:177).
\n<\/span>Even if Muslims were not facing the Qiblah yet this would not make atheism truth or make any religion superior to, or equal with, Islam.<\/p>\n

Muslims, desert whipped:<\/span><\/i>\u00a0Allah instructs us to obey Him and to obey the Prophet Mohammad: \u201cO you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and make not your deeds in vain\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 47:33); and that \u201cWhoever obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys Allah\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:80).<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Thus obedience to the Prophet Mohammad is obedience to Allah, and whatever instructions the Prophet gives us it is as if they were given to us by Allah Himself. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Prophet Mohammad tells us to pray as we see him pray. He demonstrated the format of the five daily prayers to Muslims and explained their timings of the day: \u00a0(this practice was relayed to us by our ascendants, as we demonstrate to our descendants). \u00a0A Muslim who disregards or condemns this format of prayer and their timings could not be deemed a \u201cpracticing Muslim.\u201d Those who consider themselves Muslims and view prayers in their es-tablished format and prescribed times as \u201cmindless\u201d and \u201csub-missiveness\u201d have not grasped the benefits of prayers. The entire practice of Islam is \u201csubmissiveness,\u201d to Allah.\u00a0 Allah informs us in His Qur\u2019an 29:45:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSurely prayer keeps (one) away<\/span>
\n\u00a0from indecency and evil; and certainly<\/span>
\nthe remembrance of All\u0101h<\/span><\/i><\/span>
\n\u00a0is the greatest (force).<\/span><\/i><\/span>
\nAnd Allah knows what you do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims are thus conditioned by these regimented prayers to demonstrate (by prostrating ourselves) \u2013the highest form of\u00a0 \u201csubmissiveness\u201d\u2013<\/span> that Allah is the only Being worthy of worship: the only Being greater than ourselves; and at the same time, by virtue of this physical act, are more cognizant of the fact that Allah is ever Seeing us; which in turn impels (or should) impel us to avoid indecency and evil. One who prays five times a day is like a person who takes a bath five times a day \u2013washing away the impurities from his body.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Islam \u201crequires communion with the Divine Being to be observed throughout the entire week, five times daily.\u201d \u201cThe Islamic division of prayers is much more suited to elevate a man spiritually, affording true spiritual food to the soul than is to be discovered in any other form of worship\u201d\u2013(M. Ali, Qur\u2019anic comm. 2505).\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Allah does not \u201cdesert-whipped\u201d His servants: His servants have a free choice. Islam abolished slavery. \u00a0Following the laws of All\u0101h \u2013Unity of God, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and Hajj\u2013<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>are to our benefit. Being \u201crobotic\u201d to the laws of Allah is hardly any effort to benefit in His Everlasting Grandeur.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims pray five times a day because prayer distinguishes us from other religionists; it also keeps one from evil and shameful deeds, and is the greatest force\u2013(Qur\u2019an 29:45). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 If following the injunctions of All\u0101h \u2013which elevates us social-ly, morally, spiritually and intellectually\u2013 is \u201ca sign of being des-ert-whipped,\u201d it is the most rewarding, most beneficial whipping one could ever receive.\u00a0 Or hope to receive.<\/span><\/p>\n

(That All\u0101h is watching and seeing us does not mean His vision follows us at work, shopping and in the bathroom etc; it means that our actions and speech are being recorded and by our limbs\u2013(Qur\u2019an 82:10-12); which would give evidence on the Day of Judgment: \u201cOn the day when their tongues and their hands and their feet bear witness against them as to what they did\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 24: 24. Also 36:65; 41:19-23. See Genesis 31:45-52; Joshua 24:26-27 where a \u201cstone\u201d shall bear witness).
\nMan have satellites hundreds of miles away in surveil-lance of the earth, can transmit words and pictures through space from one corner of the Globe to the other,\u00a0 can store mountains of data on the head of a pin and in computer chips, can record sounds and images on plastics and replay them, can be in one place and operate through remote control distant objects, can transmit audio and video signals through the air and have his television (even in the off mode)<\/i> receive and convert these signals into sound and image and record them, how much more advanced and sophisticated the recording system of All\u0101h the Fashioner of the universe must be. All\u0101h calls on us to reflect: \u201cDoes man think that we shall not gather his bones? Yea, We are Powerful to make complete his whole make\u201d\u2013Qur\u2019an 75:3-4). See also <\/span>Allah, Liberty & Love-Irshad Manji).<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

NOTES<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span> \u00a0Introduction To The Study Of The Holy Qur\u2019an, <\/i>p. 61. (See <\/span><\/span>Qur\u2019an<\/span><\/span><\/a>). \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the name of All\u0101h, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Peace and Blessings of All\u0101h on Mohammad. DEDICATED TO All\u0101h\u2013the Glorious and the High, Lord of the worlds AND TO Mohammad\u2013who brought the world to our feet and eternity to our arms. * \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0WHY PRAY IN ARABIC? In her book\u00a0The Trouble with Islam\u00a0Irshad Manji wrote: \u201cTaslima […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-556","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=556"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/556\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3579,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/556\/revisions\/3579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}