Salat (Prayer)

Not many people know or acknowledge the fact there are several verses in the Bible that correlate with the followings of Muslims in salat. Islam is a mere extention of Christianity, so not surprisingly, there are many examples of all the prophets practicing their religion the same way Muslims do today. (FYI: We as muslims believe all the prophets were muslims, including Jesus, because the word muslim simply means 'one who submits to the will of God.)

One of the main duties in Islam is salat, or as it's commonly refered, prayer. However, salat isn't just prayer, it's an act of worship. Muslims are called to prayer five times a day by the athan. The words of the athan are 'Allah/God is greatest(4x), I bear witness that there is no god but Allah/God(2x), I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah's/God's messenger(2x), come to salat(2x), come to salvation(2x), Allah/God is greatest(2x), there is no god except Allah/God(2x)' This is a short video of a journalist who traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where she was introduced to the athan. Here is another small video of the athan being called in Egypt.

During salat the women must dress modestly, wear hijab (headscarf), cover their arms, and wear a long, loose skirt. Men must wear loose clothing and long shirt to avoid exposing skin while prostrating. Both men and women do not wear shoes. In Exodus 3:5 Allah said to Musa (Moses) "Don't come any closer! Take off your sandals because this place where you are standing is holy ground." Joshua 5:15 "The commander of the Lord's army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so." Before each salat, Muslims make wudu or ablution. This is the process of using water to wash your hands, arms, face, mouth, and feet. In Exodus 40: 30-32 it says "He (Musa) placed the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet. They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar, as the Lord commanded Moses."

Muslims pray in different positions during salat as commanded in the Quran, and as examples are given in the Bible. We bow, pray on our knees, and prostrate. "Oh you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves and serve your Lord, and do good that you may prosper." Quran 22:77 In Genesis 17:3 "Immediately, Abram bowed with his face touching the ground, and again God spoke to him..." Genesis 17:17 "Immediately, Abraham bowed with his face touching the ground..." Numbers 20:6 "Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them..." Daniel 6:10 "... Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks go his God..." Matthew 26:39 "He (Jesus) went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying..."

During this special time, we recite specific chapters and verses from the Quran, as well as seek forgiveness from Allah. Muslims perform salat in the direction of the Kabbah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (The Kaabah was built by Ibrahim and his son Ishmael.) Check out this link to see a very short video of people performing salat at the Kaabah. Salat is essential because it helps us remember and focus on what is most important in our lives: obedience, rememberence, and worship of Allah. This article explains well the importance of salat as well as it's purpose. More detail of salat can be found here.

Salat is important and must not be missed if at all possible, no matter where we are or what we are doing, as can be seen by these people in Cairo, Egypt during the revolution. After all, Allah has blessed us with so much, we must thank Him and remember Him often. Taking at least 10 minutes out of our day 5 times a day is the least we can do.

Below are pictures of Muslims all around the world performing salat.