Is Salat A Ritual in the Quran?
Some people claim the Salat is not a ritual and therefore has no physical positions. In close analysis of the Quran, we find much evidence that debunks such interpretations.
Al-Salat vs. Supplication
Firstly, the term ‘Al-Salat’ الصَّلَاةَ literally translates to ‘The Prayer.’ Those who cannot read Arabic can easily go to Google Translate online to verify this.
Some people confuse the root for Salat و ص ل with the root ص ل و, which means to pray, supplicate, or bless. This is why the Salat is not just a normal prayer, but specifically our mechanism to make contact with our Creator.
The Quran uses multiple words for different forms of supplication. Each term has a specific meaning and root associated with it:
This shows that the Salat (the Contact Prayer) is different than other forms of supplication and therefore comes with specific requirements that are not imposed on the other forms of prayer or supplication.
Observe the Salat
God continuously informs us to ‘observe the Salat’ throughout the Quran. The term ‘observe’ is defined as ‘perform or take part in (a rite or ceremony).’ ‘Perform’ and ‘take part in’ are both physical acts. How can we perform a prayer without any physical movement?
What prevents their spending from being accepted is nothing but the fact that they disbelieved in God and His messenger, and they do not approach the Salat except lazily, and they do not give except begrudgingly.
~ Quran 9:54
‘Lazily’ is defined as ‘in a manner that shows an unwillingness to exert oneself physically.’ How can we lazily approach the Salat if there is nothing physical to lazily approach?
O you who believe, when you get up to observe the Salat, wash your faces and your arms to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles.
~ Quran 5:6
‘When you get up to observe the Salat’ clearly informs us Salat is a physical act. Further, why would we perform the physical act of ablution if the Salat wasn’t also a physical act?
Verse 32:16 further proves the Salat is a physical act, where one must physically get out of bed to call upon their Lord:
The ones who truly believe in Our revelations are those who fall prostrate when they are reminded of them, and they glorify their Lord with praise, and they do not act arrogantly. Their sides forsake their beds in order to call upon their Lord in fear and in hope, and from what We provided for them, they give.
~ Quran 32:15-16
Verse 48:29 also proves beyond doubt that Salat is a ritual, where the believers are physically seen bowing and prostrating:
Muhammad, the messenger of God, and those with him are stern with the disbelievers and merciful amongst one another. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking favour from God and consent. Their traits are evident in their faces, displaying the signs of submission and humility. Such is their example in the Torah. And their example in the Injeel is like a plant that sprung its shoots and became stronger and thicker until it stood up straight upon its stalk, thus pleasing the farmers and enraging the disbelievers. God promises those among them who believe and do good deeds forgiveness and a great reward.
~ Quran 48:29
The Quran authorizes three Salat by name; Salat Al-Fajr, Salat Al-Wusta, and Salat Al-Isha. If Salat meant connection/commitment to God, why would we have three different names for our connection/commitment to God?
God appointed specific times of the day for the Salat (4:103). Is our connection/commitment to God an act that is only at specific times, or is it a perpetual state of the believer?
God hints in 17:78 that it is the Quran that is to be recited during the Salat:
Observe the Salat at the duluk of the sun until the darkness of the night, as well as the Quran at dawn; the Quran at dawn is witnessed.
~ Quran 17:78
Is it a physical act to recite the Quran at dawn during the Salat?
If you travel the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening your Salat if you fear that the disbelievers may harm you. Surely, the disbelievers are your clear enemy.
~ Quran 4:101
Those claiming the Salat is not a ritual state that the Salat is an abstract noun. Can an abstract noun be shortened? Or does verse 4:101 speak of a physical act that can be shortened?
Now let’s analyze verse 62:9 for a minute.
O you who believe, when the call for the Salat is announced on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of God, and drop all business. That is better for you, if you only knew.
~ Quran 62:9
Firstly, does our connection/commitment to God require a "call" or announcement?
Secondly, the words in 62:9 speak of a congregational Salat. Should the believers connect/commit to God as a group, and just on Friday?
Thirdly, dropping all business and hasten to the remembrance of God are two physical acts. Why would God pair these physical acts with a non-physical Salat?
Do not shout your Salat nor whisper it; but seek a path in between.
~ Quran 17:110
The instruction to use a moderate voice clearly indicates that the Salat is a ritual that is spoken.
There are also many points in verse 4:102 that confirm Salat is a ritual:
And if you are among them and you lead the Salat for them, let a group of them stand with you and let them hold on to their weapons. Then once they have prostrated let them be positioned behind you and let another group, who has not yet observed the Salat, observe the Salat with you while remaining cautious and while holding on to their weapons...
~ Quran 4:102
1-“..you lead the Salat for them.." How can the leader who leads the Salat be leading a connection/duty to God?
2-The words "let them hold on to their weapons" while observing the Salat. Do the believers need to be armed to be committed to God?
3-The words "let them be positioned behind you" proves they are all in physical positions! One group is observing the (physical) Salat, while another group is standing behind them to provide protection.
4-The words "then once they have prostrated” prove that prostration is a physical act during Salat.
5-The words "then once they have prostrated let them be positioned behind you and let another group, who has not yet observed the Salat, observe the Salat with you" would raise further questions. Is the second group waiting their turn to connect/commit to God?
6-Does the act of being connected/committed to God need to be done in groups? Equally do such acts need a leader? Of course not!
7-The words "Those who disbelieved would dearly like you to be neglectful of your weapons and goods in order to come down on you with one blow" are also of great significance. It would make no sense to say that the disbelievers would love to ambush the believers while they are trying to be connected/committed to God. It makes better sense that the enemy would try to ambush the believers while they are in a vulnerable state, like during bowing and prostrating. Hence, the need for guards behind those observing the Salat. All the indications in 4:102 confirm that the subject is a physical ritual.
Places of Worship
With physical positions there is a need for a physical place.
Say, "My Lord advocates justice, and to stand devoted to Him alone at every place of worship. You shall devote your worship absolutely to Him alone. Just as He initiated you, you will ultimately go back to Him.
~ Quran 7:29
The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.
~ Quran 72:18
What are the people doing standing and calling on God in the places of worship, if this isn’t a physical Salat?
So the angels called out to him (Zachariah) while he was standing 'ussali' (observing the Salat) in the sanctuary.
~ Quran 3:39
The sanctuary being a place of worship, Zachariah was standing observing the Salat when the angels called out to him.
Further, verse 8:35 proves the Salat at the House to be a physical act, even though the Salat of the disbelievers is in vain:
Their Salat at the House was no more than whistling and clapping. So taste the punishment for what you disbelieved in.
~ Quran 8:35
All 3 positions of Salat are mentioned in the correct order in verse 22:26.
We appointed for Abraham the location of the House: "Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those passing by and those standing, bowing, and prostrating."
~ Quran 22:26
Also in verse 2:238 God confirms standing is one of the positions in prayer:
Maintain the Salawaat and the Salat Al-Wusta, and stand devoutly obedient before God.
~ Quran 2:238
Prostration
There are claims that ‘sujud’ does not mean physical prostration and instead means to ‘comply’. The Arabic word ‘sujud’ literally translates to ‘prostration.’
‘Prostration’ is defined in the dictionary as ‘lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downwards.’
From the dictionary alone, the term ‘prostration’ is clearly a physical act.
God provides us with undeniable proof that prostration is a physical act in the following verses:
And put your trust in the Dignified, the Merciful. The One who sees you as you rise, and in your movements among those who prostrate.
~ Quran 26:217-219
Say, “Believe in it, or do not believe in it.” Certainly, when it is recited to those who were given the knowledge before it, they fall down to their chins, prostrating
~ Quran 17:107
And they fall down on their chins weeping, and it increases their humbleness.
~ Quran 17:109
Verses 68:42-43 further confirm this matter:
They will be called to 'sujood' (prostration), but they will be unable to. With their eyesight subdued, humiliation will overwhelm them, for they used to be called to prostration when they were sound and able.
~ Quran 68:42-43
The act of prostration cannot possibly mean to ’comply’ here. How can we be called to ‘comply’ on the Day, when we will already all be surrendered to God on that Day (37:26)?
However, today, they are in total surrender.
~ Quran 37:26
The reason the disbelievers will not be able to prostrate in verses 68:42-43 is due to their confinement on that day:
"shackles will be around their necks, and in chains, they will be dragged"
~ Quran 40:71
Such confinements will restrict their movement, so when they will be "called to prostration" on that Day, "they will be unable to".
Aim of Salat
Finally, there are numerous verses that define the exact aim of the Salat:
Recite what is revealed to you of the Book and observe the Salat, for the Salat forbids immorality and evil, and the remembrance of God is of greater importance. Indeed, God knows what you do.
~ Quran 29:45
I am God, there is no god except Me. So worship Me, and observe the Salat to commemorate Me.
~ Quran 20:14
O you who believe, when the call for the Salat is announced on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of God, and drop all business. That is better for you, if you only knew.
~ Quran 62:9
We do not find any verses that state the aim of the Salat is maintaining our connection/commitment to God.
Peace & God Bless
Related Articles