Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 478
478 MALFŪZĀT - ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF URDU VOLUME 8 Prayer and Prayers Three Islamic terms, all sometimes translated as 'prayer, should be distinguished. The first term is du'ā prayers or supplica- tions made to God Almighty. Dưa can be made at any time and in any language. It does not require any for- mal prescribed posture. Du'ā is trans- lated in the text as 'prayer' or 'suppli- cations. Secondly, Şalāt refers to the five daily Prayer services prescribed for all Muslims. Unlike duʼā, Şalāt has fixed timings and modes of perfor- mance. Thirdly, We have retained the term Şalāt in the translation or have used the term 'prescribed Prayer, or 'Prayer. Promised Messiahas A title given to the Reformer prophesied to appear during the Latter Days, by the Holy Prophet Muhammad sas; see also About the Promised Messiah on p. xxiii). Quran see Holy Quran. Qutb The polar star. Metaphorically ap- plied to a saintly leader who guides people out of darkness. Şahib A title of respect similar to di- verse English terms like Mister, Hon- ourable, and Revered. Şalāt Five daily Prayers that are obliga- tory for Muslims. Shirk Associating partners with God. Sufi A Muslim focusing on mystical and ascetic aspects of religious worship. Sunnah In the context of the for- mal Prayer, refers to those rakāt that the Holy Prophetsas offered but are not prescribed as obligatory and are dropped while travelling. Sunnah rak'āt are offered regularly by practic- ing Muslims. Sūrah A chapter of the Holy Quran. Tahajjud Early morning supereroga- tory prayers. Taqwā Righteousness. Fear of God. Tauhid The Oneness of God-the fun- damental Islamic belief that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah. Tirmidhi A collection of ahādīth which is considered to be one of the six most reliable compilations in the corpus of Hadith literature. Ulema A body of Muslim scholars. Ummati A follower of Holy Prophetsas. Ummat-e-Muhammadiyyah The community or followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsas. Sattar Concealor of weaknesses; one of Vedas The most ancient Hindu scrip- the attributes of God. Shariah Religious law of Islam. The term is also used in the general sense of any revealed law. tures, written in Sanskrit and contain- ing hymns, philosophy, and guidance on ritual for the priests of the Vedic religion.