Lesson Nineteen
The times of prayer and the holy "Ka’aba" :
My dearest students, after understanding the ablution and its wisdom, let me complete our lesson of prayer. A believer must know the starting and the ending times of all compulsory prayers.
The ―Soubhi" (dawn prayer) starts from the call of the prayer till when the Sun is about to rise. After that, dawn prayer is not acceptable except for a person who slept up to that time he must pray immediately, he prays two Rakat, and he promises his God and himself not to repeat this continuously sleeping omitting the dawn prayer. And during the first hours of the day, man should perform either two or more than two ―Rakat" (bows) called the forenoon prayer. This is the practice of the prophet (cpth).
The ―Dhuhr" (noon prayer)’s time starts from the call at midday till the call of the afternoon (Asr) prayer. While the afternoon prayer ranges from the call till the call of the sunset (maghrib) prayer. The sunset prayer ranges from its call till the call of the ―Isha-i" prayer and the ―Isha-i" ranges from its call till the dawn prayer.
It’s more preferable to pray immediately after hearing the call of the prayer.
My dearest students, the sunset prayer(maghrib), the evening prayer (Isha-i) and the dawn prayer (Soubhi) are performed loudly. That is, the recitation of Al fatiha (the opening) and some verses or a short Fortress of the holy Quran are done loudly in the first two rakats (bows). And the rest of prayers should be performed silently in your heart. The reason is that at this time of the day, places are calmed and the human spirit concentrates in the recitation of the noble verses and linked to Allah (God). While during the day, prayers such as: the noon and the afternoon prayers are performed silently due to the noisy environment caused by many activities. That makes the spirit maintain calmness and concentrate in the communication with God and escape from the noisy environment. Thus the environments have greater effects on human’s Spirit and equilibrium must be maintained for perfect concentration.
The loud and silent prayers:
Practical example:
After the beautiful call of the dawn prayer for instance, we start preparing for it by glorifying, praising, remembering God, praying and remembering the prophet (cpth) or linking to him silently in your heart and thinking of those who have died. Then perform ablution and stand before the Almighty God facing the holy ―Ka’aba" .
Facing the holy ―Ka’aba" :
Prayer is nullified if it is done without facing the direction of the ―Ka’aba" no matter where ever you are, you must specify that direction, in other words, the d irection of ―Qiblah" (Acceptance). It is called ―Qiblah" because; God accepts the prayers of His slaves in that direction. What is present in that ―Ka’aba" ? It’s the holy place of the honourable Spirit of the Prophet (cpth). When a person faces it with his full heart, he spiritually meets the holy prophet (cpth) there, then the link with God is achieved.
So, by looking at the universe from time to time thinking and meditating about its wonders and by keeping performing your prayer, you will be constant in continuous communication with God, obeying His commands, doing good and kindness.
If so, Man sure one day will meet the holy prophet (cpth) there –at ―Ka’aba" so as to turn to God with the light of the prophet (cpth). My dearest students you will see in the next lesson about Atahiya (Salutation) that, you always greet the Prophet (cpth) in your prayers. When you say at the end: [peace be upon you oh! Holy prophet (cpth)]. And God commands the believers to pray on the prophet by His holy saying: (Allah links the Prophet to Him (by His Grace, Mercy, Light, and Blessing on him). And His Angels links with Him through the Godly Light! You who believe, link to him (in peace and obedience))Surat 33, Al- Ahzab, Verse 56. From here, we understood that, the believer who Allah and His angels want to ease his ways is the one who link himself to the prophet (cpth) by obeying him through the Message he brought. "Pray" for the prophet (cpth) means, to link himself with the holy prophet (cpth) by obeying all what he brought. Allah says: Say (O! Mohammad (cpth) to mankind): (If you really love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islam and follow me),Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is oft-Forgiving Most Merciful" ) Fortress 3, Al-Imran, verse 31.
And as you know, God commands both the prophet and the rest of believers to turn and face the Holy Mosque in Makka in their prayer. His first command to His prophet (cpth) was as He says: (And from wheresoever you start forth (for Prayer), turn your face in the direction of Masjid-Al-Haram (at Makkah)...) Fortress 2, Al-Baqara, verse 150. Then to the rest as He also says: (And wherever you are turn your faces towards it (when you pray)...),Fortress 2, Al-Baqara, verse 150. So the reason of turning to Ka’aba in prayer is due to the presence of the Prophet Soul and Spirit there. When a believer is facing it in all his prayers he will be spiritually increase in his position before Allah, the lights of Allah will be opened to him and he will witness the sublime name of Allah in his duties.
A believer does not worship the stones or rocks of the Ka’aba or worshiping the prophet but his facing toward that direction links him with the noble prophet spiritually who is the senior brother to all believers and the main receiver of the Godly light. The Prophet’s (cpth) duty is to link the believers’ Spirits to God forever. If you want God and His angels, follow the prophet (cpth) as Allah says: (Allah links the Prophet to Him (by His Grace, Mercy, Light, and Blessing on him). And His Angels link with Him through the Godly Light! You who believe, link to him (in peace and obedience)).Fortress 33, Al-Ahzab, verse 56. You would realise this by performing five times compulsory prayers at its specific time.