Ṣalāh
Definition
Salah is the Arabic term for the formal Islamic prayer — the five daily acts of worship that structure the Muslim's entire day around the remembrance of Allah. It is the second pillar of Islam and, after the testimony of faith, the most important act of worship in the religion. Al-Ghazali argues that the salah is not simply an obligation to be fulfilled but the highest form of human conversation: a structured moment in which the created being stands before the Creator, recites divine words, and moves through postures that express total submission. The quality of this encounter depends entirely on the state of the heart that brings it.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Ṣalāh.
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"As you sent Salah upon Abraham, indeed you are praiseworthy and glorious. Abu Humaidh al-Sa'idi also reported that they asked the Prophet Salah and peace and blessings be upon him. How to send Salah upon him? He said, Say, O Allah, send Salah upon Muhammad and upon his wives and progeny. As you sent Salah upon Abraham, and bless Muhammad and his wives and progeny."
— Ibn al-Qayyim, The Wholesome Rain of Good Words
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"We know how to greet you, but how do we send Salah upon you? He said, Say, O Allah, send Salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad. As you sent Salah upon Abraham, indeed you are praiseworthy and glorious. Abu Humaidh al-Sa'idi also reported that they asked the Prophet Salah and peace and blessings be upon him."
— Ibn al-Qayyim, The Wholesome Rain of Good Words
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"in the two sahihs from the hadith of Ka'b ibn Ugra and others. They said, We asked, O messenger of Allah, we know this greeting of peace upon you, but how should we send Salah upon you? He said, Say, O Allah, send Salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as you sent Salah upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
Appears in
1 book in the library
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