Every Muslim could pray like an Arab
In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.
The picture in the home page is one of the proofs of the divinity of the Holy Quran. Read the reason in http://deentech.com/MI_IC_Picture_in_the_home_page_is_a_miracle_why.aspx . You might visit the URL
http://www.bilal-prayer.com/Quran_en.html also.
You are invited to read – http://deentech.com/Allah_Exists.aspx ; and http://deentech.com/MI_IC_Evidence_that_the_Holy_Quran_supersedes_the_Holy_Torah_and_the_Holy_Bible.aspx . As of
now, only one religion is approved by God Almighty – Islam.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born, lived, and died in the Arabian Peninsula. He was an Arab and the Holy
Quran was revealed in his language Arabic. In contrast to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who knew Arabic only, God
Almighty knows all languages. Some languages were honored by Allah SWT by appointing Prophets, peace be upon them,
and revealing His laws in their languages. Three languages are special: Hebrew of Prophet Moses, peace be upon him,
Aramaic of Prophet Jesus, son of Mary, peace be upon them, and Arabic of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The
book of Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, the Holy Torah, was meant for the Jews only; the Holy Bible was meant for the
Christians only, while the book of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the Holy Quran is meant for all of mankind and
jinn-kind. In terms of duration of effectiveness, the Holy Torah was superseded by the Holy Bible which in turn was superseded
by the Holy Quran. As Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the Seal of Prophets, peace be upon them, the Holy Quran
is effective until the Day of Judgment.
In what language does the prayer of Jews and Christians offered? From http://www.rossel.net/basic07.htm we get:
===
Jewish prayers are usually recited in Hebrew. Yet, they can be recited in any vernacular or local language, whether it is
Yiddish, Aramaic, French, English, Spanish, or Russian. Jews believe that God understands no matter what language a person
employs in prayer. Even silence is sometimes said to be an appropriate Jewish prayer language.
===
For the Christian prayer, we have:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord's_Prayer
===
On Easter Sunday 2007 it was estimated that 2 billion Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Christians read, recited, or
sang the short prayer in hundreds of languages in houses of worship of all shapes and sizes.
===
From the above we understand that Jews and Christians offer prayers in many languages. The Jews do not restrict themselves
to Hebrew alone. Likewise the Christians do not restrict themselves to Aramaic alone. Indeed the number of Christians offering
prayers in Aramaic might as well be miniscule.
In contrast, the Muslims insist that their prayers must be offered in Arabic and Arabic only. We indicate two possible reasons.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=Persian+Ansari&translator=3&search=1&book=&start=0
===
Narrated AbuUqbah: AbdurRahman ibn AbuUqbah quoted his father AbuUqbah who was a client from the people of Persia as
saying: I was present at Uhud along with the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him), and on smiting one of the polytheists I
said: Take this from me who is the young Persian. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) then turned to me and said:
Why did you not say: Take this from me who is the young Ansari?
(Book #41, Hadith #5104) [Sunan Abudawud]
===
http://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=49&from_verse=13&to_verse=13&mac=&translation_setting=1&show_transliteration=1&show_yusufali=1
===
Yusuf Ali 49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes,
that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is
(he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
===
The division of mankind into nations is simply to know each other but not to divide them. Thus claiming that a Persian has
achieved something divides while claiming that an Ansari has achieved unites as every native of Madina was known as an
Ansari. The prayer of Muslims is said in Arabic and Arabic only to ensure that there would be no division among the Muslims
on account of their nationality or their mother tongue.
In New Delhi, India there is a Church in between a locality called Hauz Khas and its neighbor called Green Park. I used to pass
by that Church and there the Sunday Congregational prayers were offered in Hindi and Tamil also. I had a Tamil Christian friend
and he used to inform me of fight between the congregations of different languages for the resources of the Church. Their giving
importance to the language resulted in dividing the community. However inside a Masjid every one is simply a Muslim (not a
Tamil-Muslim or a Hindi-Muslim) and the unity is preserved. Is there a downside to the Muslim practice of offering prayers in
Arabic only?
The following two questions indicate the downside.
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996015480&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE
===
Is Islam a Religion for Arabs Only?
I wish to know more about Islam and Muslims. Is this religion only for Arabs? It seems to me that all Muslims are Arabs and
that the history of this religion is simply the history of the Arabs. Is it a pan-Arab religion?
===
http://www.islamonline.net/english/Quran/2005/05/article01.shtml
===
Is the Qur'an for Arabs Only?
A Sikh friend of mine was given some literature to read. While reading it, he raised this objection: “You say that Allah speaks
to the prophets and through these special people He sent a universal way of life for all mankind. The question is, why is such
an important way of life prescribed in this one particular language [Arabic], which is used only in one particular geographic
location? …
===
The above questions are very well answered in the links given. We look at the benefit of insisting that the prayers be in Arabic
only below before indicating the ease with which a non-Arab could become an Arab in the sight of Allah SWT in what follows,
Inshah Allah. When a person offers the prayers in Arabic only he / she prays like an Arab and thus is indistinguishable from an
Arab.
Sister Fatima Barakatullah elucidates one benefit in the article ‘Arabic: The Key to the Quran.’ We have:
http://www.geocities.com/naseehath/e70.htm
===
Arabic and the message of the Qur’an cannot be separated and translators throughout the ages have tried to convey to the
non-Arabic speaking people the beauty of the meaning of the Qur’an but have always called it ‘The translation of the meaning of
the Qur’an’, emphasising the fact that the Qur’an’s direct translation is not possible, because so much of the potency and
splendour of the words and their meanings which are inextricably linked to the Arabic language are lost in English or any other
language.
===
The fact that a translation cannot really convey the correct and exact meaning is demonstrated by the translation of Verse 59
of Chapter 33 of the Holy Quran. From http://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=33&from_verse=59&to_verse=59&mac=&translation_setting=1&show_transliteration=1&show_yusufali=1&show_shakir=1&show_pickthal=1&show_mkhan=1 we get:
===
Yusuf Ali 59: O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over
their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is
Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Shakir 59: …
Pickthal 59: …
M. Khan 59: O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over
their bodies (i.e.screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should
be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
===
The Verse given above has resulted in quite a bit of controversy. Should the pious Muslim woman reveal her face or should she
cover her face except just one eye? Who is right? Is Yusuf Ali right or is it Khan? Such confusions do not arise if we know
Arabic. In other words, translations could lead to conflicts among Muslims.
By insisting and maintaining that prayers be conducted in Arabic only the unity among Muslims is preserved. Inside a Masjid
there is no distinction between one Muslim and another. Further the following Tradition needs that every Muslim become
capable of leading the others in prayer: that is know some minimal Arabic.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=three+congregation&translator=3&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
===
Narrated AbudDarda': I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) say: If there are three men in a village or in the desert
among whom prayer is not offered (in congregation), the devil has got the mastery over them. So observe (prayer) in
congregation), for the wolf eats only the straggling animal. Sa'ib said: By the word Jama'ah he meant saying prayer in company
or in congregation. (Book #2, Hadith #0547) [Sunan Abudawud]
===
No Muslim would like to come under the control of the devil. If in a place there are three Muslims – whether they live there
or have met there during travel – they are expected to offer the prayers in congregation. Prayers in congregation could be
offered in Arabic only. So every Muslim must know at least the minimal Arabic identified below, Inshah Allah.
Is it necessary to read the Arabic language and become proficient in that language for the purposes of offering congregational
prayers? How much of Arabic should be known before one would be considered an Arab by God Almighty? Notice that we are
not interested in finding out the criteria that might be applied by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or the nation of Egypt. For all one
knows these countries might demand that the person be born there to be considered a citizen and thus an Arab.
If we desire to receive reply from God Almighty how much of Arabic should we know? Should we understand what we say in
our prayers? Why not memorize some prayers and offer them without understanding?
http://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=62&from_verse=5&to_verse=5&mac=&translation_setting=1&show_transliteration=1&show_yusufali=1&show_shakir=1&show_pickthal=1&show_mkhan=1 has many translations of the meaning of Verse 5 of Chapter 62 of the Holy Quran. We quote the translation by Yusuf Ali here.
===
The similitude of those who were charged with the (obligations of the) Mosaic Law, but who subsequently failed in those
(obligations), is that of a donkey which carries huge tomes (but understands them not). Evil is the similitude of people who
falsify the Signs of Allah. and Allah guides not people who do wrong.
===
Can we say that those who recite the Holy Quran by rote memorization without any understanding behave like donkeys? Does
any Muslim like to be compared with a donkey? Of course not! So we should recite whichever part – however small it might be –
of the Holy Quran with understanding only. This aspect is further emphasized by the following Tradition.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=befogged+reject&translator=3&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
===
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: A man of the Ansar called him and AbdurRahman ibn Awf and supplied them wine before it was
prohibited. Ali then led them in the evening prayer, and he recited; "Say: O ye who reject faith." He was confused in it. Then
the following verse came down: "O ye who believe! approach not prayers with a mind befogged until you can understand all that
ye say. (Book #26, Hadith #3663) [Sunan Abudawud]
===
In prayer we must understand what we recite. Of course now that drinking alcohol is prohibited, no Muslim would offer prayer in
an intoxicated state. We do not understand what we say when we are extremely sleepy. Of course we do not understand the
Holy Quran if we memorized it by just rote memorization without learning the meanings of the Verses of the Holy Quran.
Won’t it be nice if we could converse with God Almighty in our prayers? If that be so, we should recite that part of the
Holy Quran which elicits a response from God Almighty. Which part are these that elicit response from God Almighty? Are
there such Verses? Luckily there are.
The first Chapter of the Holy Quran is called Umm al-Quran. The following Tradition is about the superiority of this chapter.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=halves+observes&translator=2&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
===
Abu Huraira reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: If anyone observes prayer in which he does not
recite Umm al-Qur'an, It is deficient [he said this three times] and not complete. It was said to Abu Huraira: At times we are
behind the Imam. He said: Recite it inwardly, for he had heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) declare that
Allah the Exalted had said: I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive
what he asks. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has
praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has
lauded Me. And when he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of judg- ment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me. and
sometimes He would say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. And when he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and
of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.
Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious not of
those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My
servant will receive what he asks for. Sufyan said: 'Ala b. 'Abd al-Rahman b. Ya'qub narrated it to me when I went to him and he
was confined to his home on account of illness, and I asked him about it. (Book #004, Hadith #0775) [Sahih Muslim]
===
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=Allah+says+Qur%27an&translator=2&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
lists 11 Traditions of which the above appears as the second one. None of the other Traditions indicate God Almighty
responding to His servant as in the above Tradition.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=Allah+says+Qur%27an&translator=1&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all returns 9 Traditions from the Sahih Bukhari collection none of which mention God Almighty responding to the recitation of any
Verse of the Holy Quran..
The 2 Traditions found in http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=Allah+says+Qur%27an&translator=3&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all do not refer to Allah SWT responding to
the recitation of any Verse.
Out of the 3 Traditions found in http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=Allah+says+Qur%27an&translator=4&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all the first one is the same as the one
reported above and the other 2 do not mention the response of God Almighty for any recitation.
From the above observations we conclude that God Almighty responds to the first 7 Verses of the Holy Quran only from among
all the Verses of the Holy Quran. We hope that Allah SWT would guide us better in case there is any other Verse of the Holy
Quran that elicits a response from Him. With our limited knowledge we stick to the above conclusion. Allah SWT knows best.
Are there any other Arabic statements that elicit a response from God Almighty? The following Tradition throws some light.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=blessings+once+ten+times&translator=3&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
===
Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If anyone invokes blessings on me once, Allah will bless him
ten times. (Book #8, Hadith #1525) [Sunan Abudawud]
===
This is great! For the first seven Verses of the Holy Quran God Almighty responds once for every Verse. However God Almighty
responds ten times for any statement that invokes blessings on Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. More than one
statement invoking blessings is found in the Traditions. We consider one of them now.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=Allahumma+Nuaym&translator=4&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
===
Yahya related to me from Malik from Nuaym ibn Abdullah al-Mujmirthat Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Zayd told him that Abu
Masud al Ansari said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to us at the gathering of Sad
ibn Ubada. Bashir ibn Sad said to him, 'Allah has ordered us to ask for blessings on you, Messenger of Allah. How should we
do it?' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, remained silent until we wished we had not asked
him. Then he told us to say, 'O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim, and give baraka
to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You gave baraka to the family of Ibrahim. In all the worlds You are worthy of
Praise and Glorious,' and then give the taslim as you have learnt." Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad kama
sallaita Ibrahim, wa baraka ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad kama baraktaala ali Ibrahim. Fi'l alamin, innaka Hamidu'm - Majid.
(Book #9, Hadith #9.22.70) [Malik’s Muwatta]
===
The above Arabic statement is usually recited inaudibly by the Imam at the end of the prayer. Of course the followers of the
Imam are expected to recite inaudibly the above or a similar statement as well.
Is it enough if a Muslim knows the first seven Verses of the Holy Quran and the above statement invoking blessings on
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him? Yes, as indicated by the following two Traditions.
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=praying+prayer+back+better+ease&translator=1&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
===
Narrated Abu Huraira: Once the Prophet entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet. The
Prophet returned his greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man offered the prayer
again, came back and greeted the Prophet. He said to him thrice, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man
said, "By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly teach Me how to pray." He said,
"When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then recite from the Qur'an what you know and then bow with calmness till you
feel at ease, then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at ease and then raise (your
head) and sit with Calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the
same in the whole of your prayer." (Book #12, Hadith #759) [Sahih Bukhari]
===
Notice that we are advised to recite from the Holy Quran what we know. Already we have seen that any prayer without the
recitation of Umm al-Qur’an is incomplete. Thus every Muslim must know and be capable of reciting the first Chapter of the
Holy Quran. Is that enough?
http://www.searchtruth.com/searchHadith.php?keyword=Verse+one+Fatiha&translator=2&search=1&book=&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
===
'Ata' narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira who said that one should recite (al-Fatiha) in every (rak'ah of) prayer. What we
heard (i. e. recitation) from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), we made you listen to that. And that which he
(recited) inwardly, we (recited) inwardly for you. A person said to him: If I add nothing to the (recitation) of the Umm al Qur'an
(Surat al-Fatiha), would it make the prayer incomplete? He (AbuHuraira) said: If you add to that (if you recite some of Verses of
the Qur'an along with Surat at-Fatiha) that is better for you. But if you are contented with it (Surat al-Fatiha) only, it is sufficient
for you. (Book #004, Hadith #0779) [Sahih Muslim]
===
From the above two Traditions we conclude that just the knowledge of Chapter 1 of the Holy Qur’an is sufficient for a Muslim to
offer the prayer even as an Imam. Even the invocation of blessings on Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is not
necessary to complete the prayer.
How hard is it to learn the first Chapter of the Holy Qur’an? It is recited audibly in Fajr, Maghreb, and Isha prayers. These
prayers fall outside the normal hours that we engage for earning our livelihood. Thus every Muslim could afford to attend these
three prayers in a Masjid and listen and practice the recitation of Umm al-Qur’an. Once the Muslim has mastered the recitation,
he / she could learn the meaning from the Imam and thus qualifies to offer the prayer alone or lead a congregation.
Of course the desire to know and understand the Holy Qur’an slowly increases in the heart of the believers and often they end up
learning the Arabic language and memorizing the whole of the Holy Qur’an as well.
In conclusion, it is enough to learn to recite and understand the Umm al-Qur’an to pray like an Arab.