بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

A common perception is that the procedure of establishment of salat (namaz) is not stated in Al-Quran. However, with some careful study, we see that whole system of establishing salat is stated in Quran in so few ayahs.

The Book tells us that Allah made Ibrahim the Imam for all mankind (2:124). Allah also established Place of Ibrahim (Muqam-e Ibrahim) in Masjid ul Haram. Ibrahim was ordered to keep the House of the Lord purified for the people who do prayers and Tawaf (22:26).  Ibrahim established from his progeny in the valley of Makkah for the establishment of Salat (14:37). Allah orders to take your Musalla/format of Salat from the Place of Ibrahim in the Masjid ul Haram (2:125). This format or Musalla is the complete system of salat which is and will always be established in the Masjid ul Haram by divine intervention. Kaaba is made guidance for all Worlds (3:96) and people are ordered to take their ‘Mussala’ from there. So, the World can take guidance of As-Salat from this place. Then the Book tells us that there will be people who will be opposing this system (by providing an alternate format of prayers).  These people will imply that the walis/protectors of forbidden mosque (Masjid ul Haram) are not the rightly guided ones (8:34). But Allah confirms that the salat of those people opposing the forbidden mosque is like whistling and clapping of hands (8:35) . Allah’s order is to become a part of the Masjid Ul Haram i.e get connected to the Masjid ul Haram and follow the established system of salat in that Masjid, wherever you are or from wherever you come out (i.e from an alternative system of salat) (2:150). The same ayat indicates that people may argue with you against your salat (urging you to adopt their procedure) however, your argument should be that your procedure of salat is based on the ayahs of book of Allah (2:150).

2:124   وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ

And when his Lord put Ibraheem to trial with words, thus he completed them. He said. “Surely I have made you the Imam/Leader for mankind”, he said “and from my offspring?” He said “My covenant shall not reach the oppressors.”

3:96  إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

The first house appointed for mankind is that with Bakka, full of blessing and guidance for all worlds

From above ayat we come to know that the first house appointed for mankind is in Bakka/Makkah and is a place for guidance. Now we have to see what guidance we can take from here.

22:26  وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ مَكَانَ الْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئًا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْقَائِمِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

And when We pointed out the place of the house to Ibraheem “associate not anything with Me; and purify My house for those who go around, and who stand and bow, prostrate.”

The guidance to take from the House for mankind is the system of tawaf (i.e Hajj and Umra) and the system of salat.

14:37  رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُم مِّنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ

“O’ our Lord surely I have settled from my offspring within the valley without cultivation near your Sacred House, O’ Our Lord, so that they establish SALAH / PRAYER so make the hearts of people loving towards them and provide them with fruits so that they will be thankful.”

2:125  وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

And when We made the house a place of reward and safety for people, and you take from the standing position of Ibraheem, the Mussala / (prayer performed). And We covenanted with Ibraheem and Ismaeel that both of you purify My house for those who go around and those who intent upon (do Aetikaf) and those who bow, prostate.

An admonition to people who prevent you from following the system of salah established at the sacred mosque.  Allah confirms that the Walis/protectors of the mosque are the ones who guard (are Muttaqin)

8:34  وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلَّا يُعَذِّبَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُوا أَوْلِيَاءَهُ ۚ إِنْ أَوْلِيَاؤُهُ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

But what plea they have, that Allah should not punish them when they are in opposition about the Sacred Mosque and they are not its protectors (Walis). No one can be its protectors except those who guard, but most of them do not know.

8:35  وَمَا كَانَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عِندَ الْبَيْتِ إِلَّا مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةً ۚ فَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

Their salat/prayer near the house is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands, “Taste you the penalty because you rejected”.

2:115  وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ۚ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

To Allah belong the East and the West. Where ever you turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.

To face the Sacred mosque is to follow the system of Salat/prayers therein, it is not just the direction of your faces which is important!!!

2:150  وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَيْكُمْ حُجَّةٌ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْهُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِي وَلِأُتِمَّ نِعْمَتِي عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

And from wherever you come out, so revert yourself to the intersection / portion of the Sacred Mosque  and wherever you are, revert yourselves to its intersection/portion (of Sacred Mosque); that there would be no ground of argumentation over you from the people except those of them who are bent on wickedness, so fear them, not but fear Me and that I may complete My favours on you that you may be guided.

People will argue with you that there is no procedure of salat in Al-Quran, then you tell them the above ayahs under guidance of which you take your salat procedure from Al-Quran, so that there remains no Hujjat/argumentation from people.

Notes:

1. Salat is a physical act with start and end:

فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the bounty of Allah. and celebrate the praises of Allah often (and without stint), that ye may prosper.

2. Salat is not the worship of the cubicle building of Kaaba, but it is the serving of the Lord of the House.

106; فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَٰذَا الْبَيْتِ

Let them serve the Lord of this House,

3. The valley of Makkah is associated with the establishment of Salat

14:37  رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُم مِّنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ

“O’ our Lord surely I have settled from my offspring within the valley without cultivation near your Sacred House, O’ Our Lord, so that they establish salah/prayer, so make the hearts of people loving towards them and provide them with fruits so that they will be thankful.”

4. There is a ritual Wadu, stipulated before the act of Salat

5:6  يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ

“O’ you people who believe! When you stand for Salah/Prayer wash your faces and your hands to the elbows; rub your heads and (wash) your feet to the ankles…….

Further study:

http://iipctvstream.com/eng_salah_prayer.html