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[–]Taqwacore 0 points1 point  (0 children)


I used to work along side a Shi'a guy from Iran. His prayer was almost identical to our Sunni way of praying, although he would have little slab of stone that he would rest his head on during sujood. And when they prayer was over, he'd do something weird with his arms like he was slapping himself all over. It was a bit strange.

[–]iluvucorgi 0 points1 point  (0 children)


The motions are based upon reports of how the Prophet is supposed to have prayed. In addition aspects of the motions of prayer can be seen in Christian, Jewish and Buddhist traditions, and even found in the Bible.

I have heard various commentary about the various movements, but how authentic these are I can't say. Prior to the contact prayers, ritual washing is performed. Then you stand and you adopt the posture of the servant standing before his lord. Eyes are cast down to where your head will touch the floor. Some muslims raise there hands as they start the prayer, some say to imagine casting the world behind you with this action.

Other postures include bowing, sitting and prostration, where your head, usually the highest part of you, reaches the lowest part of the room, the floor. In this position you cannot see the world at all, and your heart is higher than your head.

One other action is that some muslims raise their index finger when sitting and reciting a passage that mentions the oneness of God.

Finally the prayer ends while sitting then turning the head to the left and then to the right and addressing the angels either side of you.

Besides these prayers there is dua, which is like a more informal prayer. Here it is customary to raise the hands, palms upwards. Some have likened it to holding a bowl asking for it to be filled.