Political Crossfire Forums

[Saracen]

Very enlightening, Mailech, and much more to show the parallels between our faiths. I think you might know from your Muslim co-worker that we pray by ourselves in the absence of a mosque within the vicinity of where we live or work, etc.

However, I agree wholeheartedly with your first statements. I did not mean to offend you nor your faith, and it's something that I shouldn't be doing because it's just not me to do so. About the Dead Sea scrolls, I'll be more than happy to look it up for you. I'm sorry if I meant to offend you. None of your questions were stupid; in fact, they were thought-provoking.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Salaam. :)

[Duchifas]

Saracen wrote: Very enlightening, Mailech, and much more to show the parallels between our faiths. I think you might know from your Muslim co-worker that we pray by ourselves in the absence of a mosque within the vicinity of where we live or work, etc.

However, I agree wholeheartedly with your first statements. I did not mean to offend you nor your faith, and it's something that I shouldn't be doing because it's just not me to do so. About the Dead Sea scrolls, I'll be more than happy to look it up for you. I'm sorry if I meant to offend you. None of your questions were stupid; in fact, they were thought-provoking.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Salaam. :)

Well, I guess it might do me some good to learn more. What is the general content of Muslim daily prayers, if one can generalize? Are there themes for a certain time of day, or time of week? What is kneeling about, like at which points does one kneel versus sit. Do women pray? Is there special attire or stuff like a rug needed? Shoes off?

I guess just describe it generally, if you can.

Thanks.

[Saracen]

Duchifas wrote: Saracen wrote: Very enlightening, Mailech, and much more to show the parallels between our faiths. I think you might know from your Muslim co-worker that we pray by ourselves in the absence of a mosque within the vicinity of where we live or work, etc.

However, I agree wholeheartedly with your first statements. I did not mean to offend you nor your faith, and it's something that I shouldn't be doing because it's just not me to do so. About the Dead Sea scrolls, I'll be more than happy to look it up for you. I'm sorry if I meant to offend you. None of your questions were stupid; in fact, they were thought-provoking.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Salaam. :)

Well, I guess it might do me some good to learn more. What is the general content of Muslim daily prayers, if one can generalize?

Good question. As you might or might not know, the 2nd Tenet of Islam is Prayer, or Salat. Muslims pray to God in order to get closer to God spiritually. It involves recitation of passages from the Koran and some recitation of other supplications (Du'a), like "Praise be to God Almighty" and "I bear witness that there is no God but God..." and "I ask that you bless us..." and so forth. There are fixed recitations in prayer; that is, there are things that you have to say at certain points. Also, prayers have what you call rak'ahs, or procedural rounds. Fajr (early morning) has 2 rak'ahs, Zuhr (noon) 4, Asr (late afternoon) 4, Maghrib (after sunset) 3, Isha (nightfall) 4. If you want me to go into more detail, I can if you want. :)
This is a good source if you want to find out more issues, but if you want me to answer your questions, I will take a great delight in doing so. :-D

Duchifas wrote: Are there themes for a certain time of day, or time of week?

Yes. Muslims pray five times a day. Each prayer is of different length. There is one prayer before sunrise, a second one at noon, another one in the later afternoon before sunset, one after sunset, and the last one at nightfall. Muslims are obliged to pray in mosques if they are nearby, and have Friday prayers that replace the Zuhr (or the noontime, prayer) in which the imam gives a 30-minute or more or less sermon (the average length is 30 mins) about issues like doing good in life, fearing God, caring for your mother, tolerance, and other issues like social affairs. In Ramadan, there are special congregational prayers after the nightfall prayer called Tarawih. These prayers can last up to 1 hour. Also, there are special prayers after Ramadan and during the Hajj called Eid prayers, and are performed after sunrise.

Duchifas wrote: What is kneeling about, like at which points does one kneel versus sit.

Well, to start off a prayer, one person puts his hands over the other and places them over his navel as if he's crossing his arms. He recites the first sura (The Opening) and then another sura or part of a sura. Then, he kneels. Kneeling and prostration are all about humility in front of God. Sitting is when one recites what you call the Tashahhud, or bear-witnessing that there is no God but God, and that Muhammad is His Apostle, and that you ask God to bless Muhammad and Abraham, etc.

Duchifas wrote: Do women pray?

Of course, same way as men, but in fact, when women have menstrual periods or are pregnant, they don't have to; in fact, they shouldn't. It's got to do with some purity aspect regarding the genital areas; I mean, when a woman is menstruating, her vagina is not clean, right? And you know that Muslims have to be pure and clean before prayer, which is why they wash themselves in Ablutions.

Duchifas wrote: Is there special attire or stuff like a rug needed?

Actually, no. You need a floor space that is clean, and preferably not in a dirty place like a washroom. A rug is recommended, but it's not standard equipment. :wink: As for attire, one should have his chest covered (wears at least a sleveless garment) and his legs covered till a spot right below the knees.

Duchifas wrote: Shoes off?

Surprisingly, not necessary. Usually you should take them off when you enter a mosque, but you don't need to when you pray alone.

Duchifas wrote: Thanks.

Your welcome. Hope I helped. :)
If you have any other questions, let me know.

[Saracen]

Ok. I'm almost done with the write-up, and it's due tomorrow.
Thanks, guys, for your help. :)

[Saracen]

Well, I got my report back and I aced it! :ok:

Thanks, Mailech and Duchifas, for your help. Other than the academic benefit, I found my findings not only interesting but surprisingly like what I see in my religion. :)

[cap'n queasy]

Cool.