07.27.06
Surah Baqarah [1-10]
We discussed verses 1 to 10 of Sura Baqarah. The discussion was a bit quicker, because the author was pretty repetitive. We had a lot of distractions though, but that is okay 
.
The first part the author talked about how the Quran is both kitab ul takwini and kitab ul tashri’i was pretty confusing. But, alhamdulillah I think we understood the concepts. The Quran is divine and was always there and the Quran also has a physical, visible form and legislation.
Then the discussion went on to explain taqwa or God-consciousness. Then the commentator explained the word salaat, which we thought was amazing. The author explains,
“The literal meaning of salat is the middle of the backbone. When used as a verb, it means the bending and unbending of the backbone. It is particularly employed when an animal is curved at the time of delivery. Figuratively, it was used for a bending posture at the time of giving or taking something. From this, it was adopted for prayer, to signify a submissive attitude.”
We also mention how Imam Ali (a) mentioned the part of prayer where we are closest to Allah is during prostration or sajdah. Hence, we should try to prolong that part during prayer because our taqwa should be the highest at that point.
The author continued on describing shirk and the three different type of shirks (jalliy, khafiy, and ahkfa). We talked about how a lot of us do the third type of shirk (akhfa), which means most concealed. Our people usually are so much into music, celebrities, etc that we unintentionally idolize them and adore them to the point where it effects our ability to perform for Allah (swt).
We ended the discussion with the analogy of Agha Pooya uses to describe the mission of Islam. It is like a heavy shower coming down from heaven. It feels good, and we know it will help us and lead to salvation, but it will be tough. There is a lot of lightening, winds and darkness (or struggle), but at the end of the day we will be victorious, inshaAllah.
mabbas Said:
July 28, 2006 at 3:44 pm
im not sure..but i think i once heard that even from a medical persepective..performing sajdah benefits the body somehow..hmm something about spinal fluid being released to brain…. not sure if that’s true..gotta do some research on that.
naqvia Said:
July 29, 2006 at 9:58 am
Yea, I remember reading that too. I actually read that every action and position we have during prayer is somehow medically beneficial to us. SubhanaAllah!