We make direct contact with God through the salat prayer (al-salata) for redemption of our sins as well as for the growth of our souls that would be used as quantitative data to determine our destination establishing scales on a Day of the Judgment (21:47). The salat prayer came down to us from the time of prophet Ibrahim through practicing of people generation after generation like other religious rites of Islam such as Zakat (Obligatory Charity), Siyaam (Ramadan Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) (4:125, 6:161, 16:123, 22:78). However, all aspects of salat had been perfected incorporating updates and clarifications in the Quran where needed, even specifying the salat prayer 5 times a day. It is unfortunate that the different aspects of salat have been corrupted over the period of time, even adding extra salat prayers to the specified prayer times as decreed for us by God (4:103). The daily 5 times salat prayer are corrupted with Tarawih during Ramadan, Eidul Fitr (at the morning on the first day of shawwal upon completion of Ramadan fasting), Eidul Adha (during Hajj), salatul tawaf (after circling the Ka’ba), salatul Qadr, Tahajjad, Ishrak, Chasht, Istekhar, and many others which are not associated with any times being the solid proofs of corruption while the practices of Tarawih, Eidul Fitr, Eidul Adha, salatul Qadr, salatul tawaf, Tahajjad are very common among the traditional Muslims.
Details of verses in the Quran specifying the Salat Prayer times
God has blessed us to confirm the specified times for the salat prayer reviewing the relevant verses of the Quran as detailed out below counting 5 times (waqt) salat prayer during the day and night:
[4:103] So when you have completed the salat prayer, then you shall remember God being standing, and sitting, and being on your sides. So when you have been secure, then you shall establish the salat prayer (not shortening); indeed, the salat prayer has been a decree on the believers at specified times (inna al-salata kaanat `alaa al-mu’mimeena kitaaban mawquutan).
Note: Here is the commandment to establish salat at specific times as per schedule given by God, Lord of the worlds while the Salat prayer can be shortened when there is a fear of attack from the disbelievers as given in (4:101).
[2:238] You shall be consistent on the salat prayers (al-salawaati), including the middle salat prayer (wal-salati al-wusta) and shall establish being obedient to God.
Note: Here is the reference not to miss any salat prayer directing to establish the middle salat prayer (Asr prayer) being obedient to God when people are usually exhausted (103:2), and there is also indication of odd number of the salat prayer times.
[11:114] And you (Muhammad) shall establish the salat prayer at two ends of the day (tarafayi al-nahaari), and the first part of the night (wa-zulafan mina al-layli). Indeed, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That is a reminder for those who take heed.
Note: Here are the references of three salat prayers: (1) the Noon (Zahur), (2) the Sunset (Maghrib) and (3) the Night (Isha) while two ends refer to (1) the Noon (Zahur) prayer and the first part of the night refers to (2) the Sunset (Maghrib) and (3) the Night (Isha) prayers. Here, there is also a reminder that the righteous works remove the evil works.
[17:78] You (Muhammad) shall establish the salat prayer at declining of the sun towards darkness of the night (liduluuki al-shamsi ilaa ghasaqi al-layli) and Quran at the dawn. Indeed, Quran at the dawn has been a witnessed.
Note: Here is the commandment for the prophet to establish the Noon salat prayer (Zahur) as well as to recite Quran at the dawn.
[20:130] So, you (Muhammad) shall be patient on what they say; and shall glorify with praise of your Lord (wa-sabbih bihamdi rabbika) before rising of the sun (qabla tuluu`i al-shamsi) and before its setting (wa-qabla ghuruubihaa), and from hours of the night wa-min aanai al-layli), then you shall glorify also at ends of the day (wa-atraafa al-nahaari), so that you may please (your Lord).
Note: Here is a commandment for the prophet to establish 5 times salat prayer as scheduled by God mentioning five prayers: (1) the Dawn (Fajr), (2) the Afternoon (Asr), (3) the Sunset (Maghrib), (4) the Night (Isha), and (5) the Noon (Zahur) prayers while glorifying with praise before the rising of the sun refers to the Dawn (Fajr), before its setting refers to the Afternoon (Asr), and glorifying hours of the night refers to the Sunset (Maghrib) and the Night (Isha) prayers, and at both ends of the day refers to the Noon (Zahur) prayer according to the definition of the night (al-layl) and the day (al-nahaar) given in (25:62) while the Arabic word, “ yawm” means a day that indicates both the night and the day.
[24:58] O you who have believed that should ask you permission of those whom has been rightfully yourselves (attendants) and those who do not reach the puberty among you at three times – before the dawn salat prayer (min qabli salati al-fajri), and when you put aside your garments during the rest time, and after the night salat prayer (wa-min ba’di salati al-`ishaa-i), are three instances for you. It has not been for you nor for them any blame after that mingling among you – yourselves with others. Thus that God makes clear the revelations for you, and God is Knower, Wise.
Note: Here has been mentioned times of two salat prayers at: (1) Dawn (Fajr) and (2) Night (Isha).
[30:18] And to Him belongs all praise (wa-lahu al-hamdu) in the heavens and the earth, and at night (wa-`ashiyyan) and when you enter noon (wa-heena tuz’hiruuna).
Note: Here are the references of two prayer times: (1) the Night and (2) the Noon.
[40:55] So, you (Muhammad) shall be patient, God’s promise is true, and shall ask forgiveness for your sin, and shall glorify with praise of your Lord (wa-sabbih bihamdi rabbika) in the night (bil-`ashiyi) and the morning (wa-al-ib’kaari).
Note: Here are the references of two salat prayer times: (1) the Night and (2) the Dawn.
[50:39] So, you (Muhammad) shall be patient to what they say, and shall glorify with praise of your Lord (wa-sabbih bihamdi rabbika) before rising of the sun (qabla tuluu`i al-shamsi) and before the setting (wa-qabla al-ghuruubi).
Note: Here are the references of two salat prayer times: (1) the Dawn and (2) the Afternoon.
[62:9] O you who have believed, when a call has been made for the salat prayer on a day of the Friday (min yawmi al-jumu`ati), then you shall hasten to remembrance of God, and shall leave the business. That is better for you, if you have done to know.
Note: Here is the commandment of the Friday congregational salat prayer, which is observed instead of the Zahur salat prayer on every Friday.
Mathematical Confirmation
The literal details of 5 times salat prayer at specific times during day and night found in 10 verses across 10 suras, has also a mathematical confirmation. The total of the relevant surah and verse number is a multiple of 19 =>1102 = 19x58 (see the table below for details):
Note: The Quran has confirmed 5 times salat prayer at day and night while there is mention of 2 salat prayers by name referring to their times such as Fajr (Dawn) and Isha (Night) and one of the salat prayers is designated as the middle salat prayer, which is established at the Afternoon. It is also noteworthy that daily 5 times salat prayers have been confirmed for the prophet addressing him in the Quran using moderate tone in his salat prayer and for the believers as well.
Numeric analysis
Here are the numeric properties associated with 5 times salat prayer to have a look for better understanding of 5 times salat prayer at specific times:
5 times Salat Prayer at a glance
The Quran has confirmed 5 times salat prayer during the day and night mentioning 2 salat prayers by name such as Fajr and Isha. Below are the times of all the salat prayers when they become due:
1. The Dawn salat prayer (Fajr in Arabic) must be observed before the dawn, i.e., before the appearance of first light in the sky during the sunrise.
2. The Noon salat prayer (Zahur in Arabic) is due when the sun declines from its highest point at noon.
3. The Afternoon salat prayer (Asr in Arabic) is the middle salat prayer, which can be observed during the 2-3 hours preceding the sunset.
4. The Sunset salat prayer (Maghrib in Arabic) must be observed during the twilight in the sky, i.e., during the sunset.
5. The Night salat prayer (Isha in Arabic) is due after the disappearance of twilight from the sky, i.e., after the sunset.
Commemoration of God
It has been confirmed from the above verses the commandment to establish the salat prayer at specific times in specific format to remember God while He has also commanded us to commemorate Him once the salat prayer is completed. Thus, God has made a clear distinction between the salat prayer and other forms of commemoration or imploring Him, which could be done at anytime, anywhere and in any format or language but should not be confused with the salat prayers that have reflected in the following verses of the Quran:
[3:41] He said: “My Lord, give me a sign.” He said: “Your sign is, cannot speak to the people for three days except gesture, and increase remembrance of your Lord, and glorify in the evening and the morning ( wa-sabbih bil-`ashiyi wa-al-ib’kari).”
Note: Here is the commandment for Zachariah to increase the remembrance of God for giving him good news of a son at his old age.
[17:79] And of the night (wa-mina al-layli) that you shall meditate with it (Quran) (fa-tahajjad bihi) as extra (reward) for you, it has been that your Lord may raise you to a high rank.
Note: Here is the commandment for the prophet to study the Quran at the night like at dawn, which is a continuation from the previous verse (17:78) while this verse is often misinterpreted to be a hint of the tahajjad Salat prayer at night.
[19:11] Then he (Zachariah) came out to his people from the sanctuary and signaled to them to glorify the morning and the evening (an sabbihuu buratan wa-`ashiyyan).
Note: Here is the reference to increase the remembrance of God for the family of Zachariah because of good news to have a son while he could not communicate to the people for three days except sign.
[25:64] And those who stay awake at night (yabeetuuna) for their Lord prostrating and standing.
Note: Here is the reference to meditate at night to gain extra reward.
[26:218] The One who sees you (yaraka) when you stand (heena taquumu).
Note: Here is the reference that God is aware of all good works of the prophet.
[33:41] O you who have believed, you shall remember God a frequent remembrance.
[33:42] And you shall glorify Him morning (buk’ratan) and evening (wa-aseelan).
Note: Here is the commandment for the believers to glorify Him morning and evening following the message given to prophet Muhammad as well as the message in the verse, (33:41).
[39:9] Is he whoever a devotee to hours of the night prostrating and standing (a-man huwa qaanitun aanaa-a al-layli saajidan wa-qaaiman), fearing the Hereafter and expecting his Lord’s mercy? Say: “Do those who know and those who do not know equal?” Only possessors of the understanding will take heed.
Note: Here is the reference of those who are knowledgeable would meditate during the night expecting mercy from God.
[50:40] And of the night (wa-mina al-layli, then you shall glorify Him also after the prostration (fa-sabbih’hu wa-adbaara al-sujuudi).
Note: It is better for him to glorify God at the night being reverent to Him, is a continuation of the commandment in 50:39 to establish the salat prayer before the sunrise (Fajr prayer) and the sunset (Asr prayer).
[51:18] And in the morning (wa-bil-as’haari) they ask forgiveness (hum yastaghfiruuna).
Note: Here is the reference for asking God in the morning for His forgiveness.
[52:48] You shall be patient for your Lord’s command that indeed, you are on our eyes, and shall glorify with praise of your Lord (wa-sabbih bihamdi rabbika) when you get up (heena taquumu).
[52:49] And of the night (wa-mina layli), then you shall glorify Him (fa-sabbih’hu) also after setting of the stars (wa-id’bara al-nuzuumi).
Note: Here is the commandment for the prophet to remember his Lord day and night and the 2nd person singular masculine form confirms that the above two verses are directed to the prophet.
[73:2] You (Muhammad) shall meditate of the night (qumi al-layli) except for a little.
Note: Here is the commandment for the prophet to meditate God in the night as much as possible.
[73:20] Indeed, your Lord knows that you meditate a little less than two thirds of the night, and half of it, and one third of it (inna rabbaka ya’lamu annaka taquumu adnaa min thuluthyi al-layli wa-nis’fahu wa-thuluthahu), and a group of those who are with yours. And God designs the night and the day. He knows that you cannot always do this, so He has pardoned you. So you shall recite what has been easy of the Quran. He knows that there will be sick among you, and others are travelling in the land seeking from God’s bounty, and others who are fighting in God’s path, so you shall recite what has been easy of it. And you shall observe the Contact Prayer, and shall give the Obligatory Charity and shall loan God a loan of righteous. And whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with God, it is a better and a greater reward. And you shall ask God’s forgiveness; indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Note: Here is a reference of meditation for the prophet and those who are with him with the Quran in the night as much as possible for additional reward as well as of asking God for His forgiveness.
[103:1] By the afternoon (wal-`asri).
[103:2] Indeed, the human being is in loss.
[103:3] Except those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds, and they have enjoined (each other) with the truth and have enjoined (each other) with the patience.
Note: By taking oath God informs that people are usually exhausted in the afternoon and some of us may not be enthusiastic to do righteous works but those who are true believers never fail to do that and they do the right things at all of their circumstances. However, no direct relation is stated to be the reference of the Afternoon prayer.
Conclusion
The study confirms that God has decreed the salat prayer for us not based on prayer names but based on prayer times, i.e., to observe it at specified times throughout a day and its counting is 5 times, even repeating 19 times in 10 verses across 10 suras. The practice of 5 times Salat prayer as given by God has a great importance in our life while practicing them in a perfect way should not be taken lightly keeping in mind that the unauthorized or incorrect practicing is a gross sin being idol worshipping. It is the most honorable among the traits of the believers while it is noticeable that it is the most corrupted one. It is practiced by different sects of Muslims all over the world in different ways, even corrupting it with adding many extra prayers while the practice of Tarawih, Eidul Fitr, Eidul Adha, salatul Qadr, salatul tawaf, Tahajjat as invented by the so called scholars or the tradition are very common among the Muslim circle around the world. The Quran being the final edition of God’s scripture as well as the reminder of the world has given us an opportunity to expose all the extra prayers, and to remove them from our practices, even confirming with the tool given in it as the reminder for the generation befitting to it (74:30-37). Now those who can reflect to both logical and physical facts from the Quran, and can do the right thing in a right way, while they can expect to go to the right place that we all should do.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (8/25/2017)