-4-

Salat Words

With regards to the words spoken during the Salat, we find guidance in the Quran with respect to the following matters:

First : All the words of the Salat should be from the Quran.

Second : Specific Quranic phrases are to be spoken during the Salat.

______________

First : The words of the Salat should be from the Quran.

1- "You shall recite what is revealed to you of your Lord's Scripture (the Quran). Nothing shall abrogate His words, and you shall not find any other source beside it" 18:27

This verse does not specify any one activity, as a result we have premise to understand that it may also include the practice of salat, but it must also be said that it does not restrict the words of salat to Quran alone.

2- "You shall recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture (the Quran), and observe the Salat (Contact Prayers)" 29:45

This verse speaks of two activities, the recitation of the Quran and also the salat. The fact that God speaks of the two activities in the same verse is of interest, but it must also be said that the words of this verse do not say directly that the salat must be comprised exclusively of Quranic words.

3- "They are not all the same; among the followers of the scripture there are those who are righteous. They recite God's revelations through the night while prostrating" 3:113

This verse speaks of the righteous, they recite the scripture while prostrating. As we know prostrating is one of the acts of Salat, and therefore there is a stronger indication here that the words recited during the salat must be from the scripture (in our case the Quran).

4- In 20:14 we are told that the salat is observed for the "zhikr" of God. When this word is used in the Quran in connection to God it means the commemoration God:

Perhaps the above verses (20:14 and 17:46) together provide the strongest verdict among the 4 above to indicate that the words of the salat must be from the Quran alone.

Second : Which Quranic words to be recited during the Salat?

It must be mentioned here that except for words in items 2 and 6 below which are clearly mentioned in the Quran in connection to the salat (17:111), the other items below are not given in the Quran with an obligation to recite them during the salat. However reciting the items below during salat fulfils a number of objectives. In addition, we have the freedom to choose any words from the Quran, provided they commemorate and glorify God. Item 1 (the Fatihah) is the only sura in the Quran which comprises a prayer solely addressed to God. Items 3 and 4 are words which glorify God and which we are commanded by God to recite, so including them in the salat or outside salat is advisable, while as item 5 comprises the essence of monotheism so should be a declaration to utter at all times, so where better than during our salat?

Before we commence the salat we must seek refuge in God from the devil, the Arabic words are: "A'uzu b"Allah min Al-Shaytan Al-Rajeem", and in English we should say: I seek refuge in God from the rejected devil.
This is because during the salat we would be reading Quranic words and we are told to seek refuge in God every time we read the Quran:

"When you read the Quran, you shall seek refuge in God from the rejected devil" 16:98

We are commanded in 6:162 to devote every word in our salat to the name of God alone, and thus these words must be said before we start the salat and not during the salat.

1- Although there is no specific command to read the Key (Fatihah) in particular in the salat, yet since it is the opening of the book and it comprises a call to God in all its words, then it is appropriate to read it in the opening of our Salat.

Bearing in mind that God informs us that He does not wish us any hardship in practicing our religion, thus it is sensible to read the relatively longer passages (such as the Key) in the standing position rather than the bowing or prostrating so that the ill and old would not over-burden their frail bodies. Consequently, the recitation of the Key (Al-Fatiha) in the standing position is what all Muslims do.

2- The phrase "Allahu Akbar" is uttered frequently during Salat in compliance with God's command to magnify Him as in 2:185 and 17:111.

3- "Sobhan Rabi Al-Azeem" (Praise my Lord the Great). This is in compliance with: "You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great" 56:74. These words can be uttered at any time during the salat, and preferably in all positions.

4- "Sobhan Rabi Al-Aala" (Praise my Lord the Most High). This is in compliance with: "Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High" 87:1. These words can be uttered at any time during the salat, and preferably in all positions.

Praising God is encouraged at all times and specifically after prostration:

"During the night you shall glorify Him, and after prostrating" 50:40

5- The Shahada (Testimony of Faith) is the first pillar of Islam and is a declaration of our monotheistic faith. The Shahada may be uttered at any stage in the Salat and any number of times:

The words of the Shahada are : Ash"hadu ana la illaha ila Allah" (I bear witness that there is no God other than God).

"God bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge" 3:18

6- In 17:111 we read the following words:

"Al-Hamdu l"Allah alazee lam yatakhez waladan, wa lam yakun lahu shareek fee al mulk, wa lam yakun lahu waleyon min al zol"

These words translate to:

"Praise be to God who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship, nor does He need an ally out of weakness" 17:111

In 17:110 God commands us to use a moderate voice in our Salat, immediately after which God commands us:

"and say, "Praise be to God, who has never begotten a son……."

The words "and say" at the beginning of verse 111 indicate that the subject is still the Salat (the subject of 110). This means that we are to utter these specific words during our salat.

It is interesting to note that these 3 phrases have significant meanings:

a- "Praise be to God who has never begotten a son"

These words purify us from the claim of the Christians who gave God a son (6:101).

b- "nor does He have a partner in His kingship"

These words purify us from the corrupt Muslims who made Muhammad a partner with God in everything they say or do (12:106).

c- "nor does He need an ally out of weakness"

These words purify us from the Jewish scholars who claim that God's hands are tied and thus He is not able to do certain things (5:64).

In effect, by uttering these words, and constantly being aware of the danger and corruption of these groups, we purify our souls and maintain the purity of our religion. These words must be uttered during our salat.

To follow these words we should then magnify God frequently (Allah Akbar) ....

7- The "ending" of the Salat

Since the ending of the Salat conducted by almost all Muslims today does not conform to Quranic teachings, thus this issue will be given special analysis here.

The traditional ending spoken by most Muslims today is:

"Al-Salamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatu". (Peace be upon you as well as God"s mercy and His blessings). This phrase is uttered twice at the conclusion of the Salat, once with the head turned to the right and once with the head turned to the left.

However, if we were to pause and consider the validity of saying these words at the end of the salat we would immediately be faced with the following questions:

A- Who are we addressing when we utter these words? Surely we cannot be addressing God because we cannot be saying to God, "may God's mercy and blessings be upon you"!

Some will say that these words are addressed to other fellow believers who are praying alongside us. But this excuse is false, simply because these words are spoken by believers even when they are praying all on their own!

Some others will say that these words are addressed to the two angels who are recording all our deeds, one of whom is on our right shoulder and one is on our left.

Here we must inquire why should we address the angels? After all, our Salat is not directed to them! The Quran makes the point very clear that every word in our Salat should be to God and nobody else:

"Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to God alone" 6:162 (also see 39:11 and 20:14)

To direct any words in our Salat to any other than God is indeed against the teachings of the Quran and must be totally rejected.

B- If these words are not directed to God and must thus be rejected, then what are the correct words to be uttered to end our Salat? As usual, God has once again shown us that the Quran offers explanations to all things (16:89). Indeed, God has given us in the Quran the exact words that should be uttered to end the Salat. These are found in the following verse:

"As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, their Lord guides them by virtue of their belief. Rivers will flow beneath them in the garden of bliss. Their prayer therein is, "Be you glorified our God" their greeting therein is, "Peace" and the ending to their prayer is, "Al-Hamdu l"Allah Rab Al-Alameen (Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe)" 10:9-10

This verse speaks of the model believers who will be rewarded in the gardens of heaven. We are told about the last words in their prayers "Al-Hamdu l"Allah Rab Al-Alameen" (Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe). It makes perfect sense that we should follow their example (if we would like to end up in heaven too) and end our prayers in praise of Almighty God rather than bid farewell to the angels!

----------------------

Summary of the Quranic words for Salat:

Before we start the salat we should say:
"A"uzu b"Allah min Al-Shaytan Al-Rajeem" (I seek refuge in God from the rejected devil" 16:98.

After that we start the salat as follows:

1- Al-Fatiha (The Key)

2- "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) to be spoken frequently, 2:185 and 17:111.

3- "Sobhan Rabi Al-Azeem" (Praise my Lord the Great). 56:74

4- "Sobhan Rabi Al-Aala" (Praise my Lord the Most High). 87:1

5- The Shahada (Testimony): "Ash"hadu ana la illaha ila Allah" (I bear witness that there is no God other than God). 3:18

6- "Al-Hamdu l"Allah alazee lam yatakhez waladan, wa lam yakun lahu shareek fee al mulk, wa lam yakun lahu waleyon min al zol". (Praise be to God who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship, nor does He need an ally out of weakness). 17:111

7- The Salat ends with the words:

"Al-Hamdu l"Allah Rab Al-Alameen (Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe)" 10:10

The above words can be spoken in any of the three positions (standing, bowing and prostrating), and also repeated once or as many times as we wish.

It must also be made clear that apart from items 2 and 6 above, which we are specifically commanded to utter during salat (17:111), the other words are given by means of a guide only. Other Quranic words which glorify God alone and which do not include other names than God can also be added. Hence, there can be other equally correct guides, so the reader is asked not to follow the above blindly thinking that it is the only lawful format for salat. If the reader does that he would be guilty of following my way and setting it up as a new sunna. I am innocent of this act and thus it is my duty to make the appropriate warning.