Praying

B

Bandit

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Whenever someone has time. I read a book awhile back on Islam & I recall a part about Mohammed having a dream about prayer & God told him to tell the people to pray 50 times a day. So he kept climbing this ladder to ask God to reduce the number of times to pray per day & he got it down to five times a day. Along the way on the steps, he kept meeting the prophets & I think one of them told him to keep going back up to God to get the number reduced.
Reminds me of the time God asked Abraham to find 50 good men & I think he got the number down to five.
Is that true about the prayer?

Also I noticed Muslims pray on there knees all together at the same time, bowing very low. Is that the main way to pray in Islam when in a group?
 
That's an interesting story of miraj,and i think it was prophet jesus who asked Muhammad to go again and further request to reduce the no of prayers.i think jesus was right(jk).
And yes,It's true about the prayer.I have never heard about the abraham part of the story.

Bowing down at the same time is a part of unity of muslims.It shows we all are equal,no one is greater,no one is lower.A servant and a king should theoretically pray at the same mosque and a servant can go in the top rows,when a king is in the bottom rows.
 
HI,

Whenever someone has time. I read a book awhile back on Islam & I recall a part about Mohammed having a dream about prayer & God told him to tell the people to pray 50 times a day. So he kept climbing this ladder to ask God to reduce the number of times to pray per day & he got it down to five times a day. Along the way on the steps, he kept meeting the prophets & I think one of them told him to keep going back up to God to get the number reduced.
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It was actually during Miraaj/Israa/acsension of Muhammad to the heavens , it isnt considered to be a dream by muslims . He went beyond the limits of most intimate angels . The limit is called Sidratul muntaha . There he talked to God . & God told him to tell his people to pray 500 times a day . He came back & there met Moses . Moses said it will be difficult for your people to do it , so ask Allah to lessen it . THis time he went to Allah & came back with 50 . Moses again said the samething . He again went to Allah , & came back with 5 prayers per day . With a reward that is equal to the orignal 500 .


Also I noticed Muslims pray on there knees all together at the same time, bowing very low. Is that the main way to pray in Islam when in a group?
Click to expand...
Actually Salaat ( prayer ) is a mixture of all usual bodily movements . The reason behind this is to make muslims accustomed to focussing their mind towards Allah , in all times/all movements . The movements include standing , sitting , bowing ( at hip joint level ) & bowing low on the ground .

Regards
 
I should correct myself,it was prophet moses.Why can't we edit post after half an hour?:confused:
 
farhan said:
HI,


It was actually during Miraaj/Israa/acsension of Muhammad to the heavens , it isnt considered to be a dream by muslims . He went beyond the limits of most intimate angels . The limit is called Sidratul muntaha . There he talked to God . & God told him to tell his people to pray 500 times a day . He came back & there met Moses . Moses said it will be difficult for your people to do it , so ask Allah to lessen it . THis time he went to Allah & came back with 50 . Moses again said the samething . He again went to Allah , & came back with 5 prayers per day . With a reward that is equal to the orignal 500 .



Actually Salaat ( prayer ) is a mixture of all usual bodily movements . The reason behind this is to make muslims accustomed to focussing their mind towards Allah , in all times/all movements . The movements include standing , sitting , bowing ( at hip joint level ) & bowing low on the ground .

Regards
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Thank You Farhan. I remember now, everything you say is exactly what the book was saying but I think he saw other prophets too, & even Adam on different levels, but Moses was the one who told him to get it reduced to 5. We have sit, stand, kneel & bow in our church too. Sometimes everyone in unison & other times people just do it however they feel.

I am just curious, is Mohammed the only one who can reach this level of Sidratul muntaha ? Similiar to being caught away in spirit, I think.
 
PluckyAli said:
That's an interesting story of miraj,and i think it was prophet jesus who asked Muhammad to go again and further request to reduce the no of prayers.i think jesus was right(jk).
And yes,It's true about the prayer.I have never heard about the abraham part of the story.

Bowing down at the same time is a part of unity of muslims.It shows we all are equal,no one is greater,no one is lower.A servant and a king should theoretically pray at the same mosque and a servant can go in the top rows,when a king is in the bottom rows.
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Thank You for the reply PluckyAli
I think that is very neat that it shows all are equal & a king can be in the last row & the servant can be in the top row when they pray. So I guess miraj is a good thing that 5 prayers is much better than 500 a day, with the same blessing.
 
The Miraaj of Prophet Muhammad was not only spiritual , but physical . That is he went there with his body . Then he went very near to God & actually met him at a place called Qaaq-e-Qausain ( two bow lengths or even nearer ) . So that place is definitely not reachable by humans .

About Siaratul Muntaha , I havent heard anything said about that by muslim scholars . Sufis say that Sidratul Muntaha is the last limit of Angels , but not humans . Humans can go beyond it , though only spiritually , not with their bodies .
 
Very interesting to me Farhan. The Miraj with Muhammed. Kind of reminds me a little of the transfiguration with Moses, Elijah & Jesus. I don't understand that realm, but I believe just about anything is possible & nothing is impossible, when communing with Allah.
 
farhan said:
HI,
It was actually during Miraaj/Israa/acsension of Muhammad to the heavens , it isnt considered to be a dream by muslims . He went beyond the limits of most intimate angels . The limit is called Sidratul muntaha . There he talked to God . & God told him to tell his people to pray 500 times a day . He came back & there met Moses . Moses said it will be difficult for your people to do it , so ask Allah to lessen it . THis time he went to Allah & came back with 50 . Moses again said the samething . He again went to Allah , & came back with 5 prayers per day . With a reward that is equal to the orignal 500.

Regards
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Salaam,
Allaah originally enjoined 50 prayers when the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)ascended to the heavens, not 500. There are many other authentic hadith that say the same. And it was Gabriel (peace be upon him) who took him up. He met some of the Prophets of God on each heaven he visited as he ascended towards 'the utmost boundary', including Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all). Yes it was Prophet Moses (pbuh) who advised him to go back and ask for the reduction of these prayers. So that this happened many times and the prayers were reduced each time until they reached 5. After this, Allah said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.'
[See: Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 8 (Salaat), Hadith# 345]
Finally, the Prophet (pbuh) did not see Allah. 'Aisha, the mother of the believers, said: He who presumed that Muhammad (may peace be upon him) saw his Lord (with his ocular vision) fabricated the greatest lie against Allah.
[See: Sahih Muslim, Book 1 (Faith), Hadith #337]
Furthermore, Shiekh Munajjid also explained this matter by saying, among other things, that
"Even the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the night of the Mi’raaj (ascent into heaven) did not see his Lord. He was asked ‘Did you see your Lord?’ He said, “I saw Light.” According to another report: “Light – how could I see Him?” i.e., between me and Him there was a great veil of light. According to a hadeeth in al-Saheeh, it is narrated that Allaah is veiled in Light. ... "
Hope this clears things up.
And Allah knows best.
 
I have never heard this story before as i don't pay much attention to Hadith.........Allah knows all and knows best i do not belive in any way that any of our beloved prophets(pbut) would or 'Bargained' With the almighty for he is not bound by matter, time or space and his power is truely infinate.....we pray 5 times a day(at least) for god wished it so...........We dont pray during sunset because god wished it so.....God knows exactly what is good for us and exactly how we run. How do i know this? because Allah told me so through the Quran.......Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar

Bismillari Ramani Rahim
Qul: Huallahu Ahad
Allahu Sahad
Lam Yalid wa lam yulad
Wa lam yakul lahu kufuwan ahad

Do not underestimate your creator for he is the creator of all things and he knows all.............Staffy
 
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Staffy said:
I have never heard this story before as i don't pay much attention to Hadith.........Allah knows all and knows best i do not belive in any way that any of our beloved prophets(pbut) would or 'Bargained'
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salaam,
You should pay attention to hadith. You can't do without it. The Prophet(pbuh) wasnt 'bargaining'. I have no idea how you got that impression. Bargaining requires give and take. Where does it say in the hadith that Prophet Mohammad(pbuh) gave something to Allaah in return? Allaah is our Lord... He doesnt need us. It is only us who need Him. He(pbuh) requested Allah... he(pbuh) asked Allaah to reduce the prayer as advised by the Prophet Moses(pbuh).
Thats what i understand from reading the hadith.
Hope this helped.
And Allah knows best.
 
Why do u need a set of pattern and rigid timing to pray God why cant a person pray when ever he acknowledges Gods presence.One can think abt God more than 5 times why cant he pray when ever he wishes??
I would also like to knwo besides Quran ..is it mention in bible anywhere abt praying at specific time or such pattern.
 
I think that the more that pray together in Islam,as a large group, is considered the best...............the more the merrier
 
Peace/Salaam!

I have heard this story, but it seems that the details are provided much by the Hadith. Like Staffy, I do not pay much attention to the Hadith since it is complied and created by humans--at least 100 yrs after Prophet Muhammad's death, so I would advise to read in the Holy Qur'an about the Miraj. Qur'an explains everything, not the hadith.

Peace.
 
muslima said:
Why do u need a set of pattern and rigid timing to pray God why cant a person pray when ever he acknowledges Gods presence.One can think abt God more than 5 times why cant he pray when ever he wishes??
I would also like to knwo besides Quran ..is it mention in bible anywhere abt praying at specific time or such pattern.
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Salam,
The timings that you are referring to are the timings of the Obligatory prayers. You can pray naafil (extra) prayers if you like. There are some times in the 24-hour day when you're not supposed to pray but, otherwise, pray as much as you like.
 
Amica said:
Peace/Salaam!

I have heard this story, but it seems that the details are provided much by the Hadith. Like Staffy, I do not pay much attention to the Hadith since it is complied and created by humans--at least 100 yrs after Prophet Muhammad's death, so I would advise to read in the Holy Qur'an about the Miraj. Qur'an explains everything, not the hadith.

Peace.
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Wa'Alaikum salaam,
This seems to be your personal view on hadith, which does not represent mainstream Islam. Still, i'm confused about two things here.
You said "I do not pay much attention to the Hadith since it is complied and created by humans--at least 100 yrs after Prophet Muhammad's death"
"complied and created"?? I assume what you meant to say was "written and compiled" If not, please clarify. Is the problem that it was written/compiled by people or that it was 100 yrs after Prophet Muhammad's death or both? just want to be sure what your thinking.
One more thing, i'm confused here because first you admit that "the details are provided much by the Hadith" but then you claim at the end that "Qur'an explains everything, not the hadith".:confused: please clarify.
And Allaah knows best.
 
Awaiting_the_fifth said:
God asked Abraham to find 50 people and Abraham eventually got him down to 10.
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h| Awaiting_the_fifth,
im suddenly interested. Whats the reference for this? I'd like to read the relevant material.
 
Awaiting_the_fifth said:
God asked Abraham to find 50 people and Abraham eventually got him down to 10.
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Right call, ATF. :)

26 The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."

27 Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?"
"If I find forty-five there," he said, "I will not destroy it."

29 Once again he spoke to him, "What if only forty are found there?"
He said, "For the sake of forty, I will not do it."

30 Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?"
He answered, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."

31 Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?"
He said, "For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it."

32 Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?"
He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."

33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

(Genesis 18)
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Interesting. Probably could have gotten God down to one, but God had already made His gracious point.

lunamoth
 
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