08-11-2003, 04:27 PM
Bism EllaherRahman ArRaheem
I read this on an Arabic email which was translated from a book titled "Even angles Ask" authored by Professor Jefery Langh.
I couldn't but to translate it and share it. With no comment.
In this part of the book, the author brings out precious spiritual values which we actually miss these days. Reason we miss them is that we turned worship into a habit losing the essence for which it was ordained at the first place. Instead it turned into automatic movements lacking the proper meaning.
In the following the real meaning of prostration shall be brought forth:
Realize the taste of closeness:
Ghasan Zarah former Imam of San Francisco University Masjid said: "When we pray and place our noses on the floor, we experience a type of joy, tranquility and strength coming from outside this world. Words can not describe those feelings.
You must try it in order to understand it"
The call for prayer came on. On the day I accepted Islam, the imam handed me a booklet presenting the method of prayer.
However, I was surprised to notice that Muslim students were some how worried. They kept telling me: take it easy, don't pressure yourself, it is better if you take your time, take things slowly by time"
I wondered to myself: " Is prayer that hard?". Yet I just ignored their advices and decided to immediately start praying the five times punctually.
On that night, I spent a long time sitting on the couch in my small room with dim light trying to study the movements of prayer, repeat them, reading the Quran ayas and supplications must be recited during prayer. The fact that most of what I will recite was in Arabic, I had to know them by heart in Arabic while at the same time know the English meaning. I spent several hours going through the book before I find enough confidence to try my first prayer. It was almost midnight, therefore, I decided to perform Esha prayer.
I went into the bathroom, put the booklet on the side of the basin opened to the page explaining ablution. I followed the steps slowly and accurately just as a cook trying a recipe for the first time. As soon as I was through with ablution, I went to the room with water dropping of my parts.
According to the booklet, instructions indicate that it is preferred not to dry oneself after ablution.
I stood in the center of the room facing what I thought as Qiblah. I looked back in order to ensure that I closed the door to my apartment then looked forward. I stood still, took a deep breath, raised my hands with my palms opened touching at my ears with my thumbs.
After that I said in a low voice "Allah u Akbar". I was hoping no one can hear me.
I was getting very emotional. I could not rid myself from being worried that someone is spying on me.
Suddenly I realized I didn't close the curtains. I wondered to myself: what if one of the neighbors saw me?
I left what I was doing and went to the window. Looked outside in order to ensure no one is there. I felt comfortable to see no one is there, closed the curtains and went back to the center of the room. Once again I faced the Qiblah and repeated the process and whispered Allah u Akbar. In a very low voice that no one can hear, slowly stammering I recited the fatiha followed by a short surah. Of course I recited in Arabic, however, I am sure any Arab would have never understood any of my recitation that night.
Again I said takbeer and bowed until my back was in a vertical position with my legs placing my hands on my knees saying Sobhan Rabia al Azeem several times.