There is also the number of units of prayer or rakaat stated in the Qur’an. Instead of rakaat the usual usage, in the Quran it is stated as the units of stand. The sequence is the same comprising in the salat by doing a stand, bow and then prostrate.
A complete unit of one stand starts with the standing position, bow and the prostration –
S22:26 Behold! We gave the site, to Abraham, of the (Sacred) House, (saying): “Associate not anything (in worship) with Me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up, bow to prostrate themselves therein in prayer.
However, this one unit of stand have the option to be repeated a second time as stated in the Quran –
S34:46 Say: “I do admonish you on one point: that ye do stand before Allah, It may be in pairs, or it may be singly, and reflect within yourselves: your Companion is not possessed: he is no less than a warner to you, in face of a terrible Penalty.”
This evidence shows in the verse that when one is to stand to establish his prayer to Allah there is the option to do a pair (two times by repeating the sequence of doing the stand, bow and prostrate) or to do only one complete sequence.
However, since the S34:46 emphasized by mentioning doing two (or a pair) instead of one, it can be elucidated that the priority is to do two stands instead of one complete stand, bow and prostrate.
It is only during emergency in wartime, or making journey or having sickness then there is consent to do one complete stand, bow and prostrate to shorten the time taken of doing a pair of stands.
This options to do two or one stand is shown by the action of the Prophet Muhammad doing his prayer with his companions –
S4:102 When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and stand to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up in prayer with thee, taking their arms with them: When they finish their prostrations, let them take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed and let them pray with thee, taking all precaution, and bearing arms……
Those companions who finished one unit of stand, bow and prostrate is replaced by another group while the Prophet still remain to do another unit. The two units of stands the Prophet did and one unit his companions did is confirmed by S34:46 “two or one” units of stand sequence.
This two units of stand is applicable to all prayers including those for extra credit.
The Prophet Muhammad A.S is the one who showed the examples he did his salat in the Quran –
He stand, bow and prostrate –
S26:218 Who see thee standing forth (in prayer).
S4:102 When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and stand to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee…
After standing he bow and prostrate –
S48:29 Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate among each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer)….
Therefore, the complete units of prayer in the Qur’an one to do is two units of prayer as normal but one unit during emergency.
The action of prostration ends the prayer as stated –
S4:102……”When they finish their prostrations, let them take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed and let them pray with thee”….
However, before moving off, ot is recommended to take a sitting or another position and do some doa, praising, exalted and magnifying Allah –
S4:103 When ye pass (congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah’s praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.
S6:38 There is not an animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they all shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.
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