Muslims Ask, Christians Answer by Christian W. Troll

Author:Christian W. Troll [Troll, Christian W.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781565484603
Publisher: New City Press
Published: 2012-02-01T05:00:00+00:00

After the ablutions the worshipper declares his or her intention (niyya) to pray. The prayer opens with the takbîr, the formula ‘Allâhu akbar’ (‘God is greater’). This is followed by the recitation of the opening sura of the Qur’an, the Fâtiha.[48] Every ritual act of prayer consists of 2 to 4 liturgical units, each called a rak’a. This consists of a time standing upright (wuqûf), bowing (rukû’), prostration (sujûd) and sitting on one’s heels (julûs); each of these bodily postures is accompanied by a specific and suitable prayer. The prayer at break of day includes two rak’a-s, the prayer at sunset includes three, while the noon, afternoon and night prayers each consists of four rak’a-s. Ritual prayer includes the recitation of some short suras from the Qur’an, followed by greetings addressed to God (tahiyyât), the Prophet and all Muslim believers. These are followed by the confession of faith (shahâda) and prayers for blessing on Muhammad and Abraham. The whole ritual usually lasts no longer than 5 to 10 minutes, unless longer Qur’anic texts or intercessions are added.

Every week congregational prayers (salât al-jum’a) take place on Friday at noon. The ritual is the same as for the daily prayers, expanded by fuller tahiyyât and particularly by the sermon, delivered either by the imam or by another Muslim with the necessary ability. On the occasion of major festivals there are further special rituals, particularly at the two most important festivals: the festival of sacrifice, also known as the Great Festival (‘Îdul adha or ‘Îdul kabir), and the festival of breaking the fast at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting (‘Îdul fitr). Special rituals also mark the festival of the birth of the Prophet (al-mawlid al-nabawî), ‘Ashûra and the nights of Ramadan. Mention should also be made of the impressive prayers used in the course of the major and minor pilgrimages.

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