[5:6] O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall: (1) wash your faces, (2) wash your arms to the elbows, (3) wipe your heads, and (4) wash your feet to the ankles. If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.
As a revert, as a soul coming back to Islam, as a human that has needed to seek knowledge and the path of my soul; I embraced my chosen faith willingly. As I read (present tense) the Holy Book, and I realise that each time I read, some new wisdom will enlighten my heart, truly it is a balm. As I read (present tense) as I have read in the past, I am constantly reminded about performing Salaah ( solat, sholat, salaat, namaz) That is the ritual 5 times a day prayers a muslim performs everyday. Each time I read those lines, I feel blessed to be able to perform salaah. It refreshes me body, mind and soul. It takes me away from the world and it's difficulties. It gives me the opportunity to stand, bow, protrate and sit in deep silence and contemplation , in communication with my Rabb, my Maker, My Higher Source of everything I need. I am also grateful because I remember, once when I said in full boastfulness and pride how I would never change my religion. ( From Catholic to Islam) I remember ever thinking , Gosh! it's difficult enough to go to church (mass) once a week let alone pray five times a day. I remember having thought, I could never wear a headscarf. I remember so many anti-Islamic thoughts ( not personal attacks , just how a muslim functions) I had, only because it was too difficult to consider "wasting" time talking to or praising what? When I hear the call to Salaah(azan) now ( come to prayer, come to prayer) I feel grateful for another moment to confide, to give up all my woes and give thanks for all my joys. I am confounded by those who admit being muslims ( by descent for sure) but find it hard to keep up regular prayers. If they have difficulty, then what the rest of the non-Islamic believing world. Therefore, I conclude to myself, the baby steps humans make towards the Lord of the worlds (ssssssss with an s, so not one world but many) in every effort to search and worship, must indeed be a tremendous triumph toward the path of enlightenment. Let's all try our very best to return in a state that is as pure as the day we were sent to this world and return ethereal. When we prostrate To the ONE , that is the most humble position of respect we give. And if HE so willed, everyone would be given this wisdom of living and dying.
~Lorraine Nur~
No comments:
Post a Comment