Question:
Q1-Those things which are Haraam on this nation like 1-Pork 2-silk and gold for males 3-alcohol 4-Meat which is slaughtered without Bismillah etc, was it Haraam on the previous nations as well? could you please give answer in detail Jazakumullah.
Q2-The method of praying Salaat was it the same method for the previous nations?
Answer:
- Animals slaughtered without the name of Allah which is Haraam on this Ummah were also Haraam on the previous nations. For this very reason the slaughtered animal of a (true) Christian or Jew is Halaal for Muslims if it was slaughtered in the name of Allah. (Ahkaamuth- Thabaaih, page 24-37, Safwatut Tafaasir, Vol. 2, page 289)
Similarly pork being Haraam was mentioned in the Tauraat too. (Tafseer-e-Haqqani, Vol. 2, page 243)
No profound text was found with regards to alcohol being Halaal or Haraam on the previous nations. However, some texts do indicate that alcohol was Haraam on the Christians and the Jews. (Tafseer-e-Haqqani, Vol. 2, page 251)
- The method of Salaah in the Jewish nation is very obscure. No particular method is found which was applicable in every era. In fact it changed as times changed. However, the Jewish Rabbis have deducted the ruing of Salaah from a particular verse of the Tauraat. The Jews, in the reported method of their Salaah were ordered to keep the females separate from the males while in Salaah. They were ordered to cover their heads and lower them. It was also necessary to stand in some prayers. On the recitation of certain verses they would move back a few steps. In the morning prayers they would have to don a particular sheet and amulets on their arms and heads. The Imam and the Muqtadi were of equal status as they would say: “Everybody is equal in front of Allah.” The modernists Jews have now included music into their prayers by composing a certain melody and a certain tune for every prayer. They have further eradicated the donning of the sheet and the amulet as well as covering the head and went on to suffice on standing in silence on certain occasions.
It is mentioned in the Jewish encyclopaedia that the Jews would take hours to prepare themselves before prayers. It was also necessary to wash the body and wear proper clothes before the prayers. The prayer was read joining the feet and standing upright on a low ground with the hands spread out before them while lowering the gazes. The prayer would take place in congregation of at least ten individuals. Prayers were compulsory on the men and the women, young girls were prohibited from prayers.
Furthermore, it is mentioned under the commentary of the words: “Warqa’oo ma’ar Raaki’een” of verse 43 of Surah Baqarah that the prayer of the Jews did have Sajdah but not the Ruku’. (Ma’aariful Qur’an, Vol. 1, page 251, Roohul Ma’aani, Vol. 1, page 247)
The prayer of the Christians first took form in the fourth century and amendments and modifications were made in it and are still being done today.
When the priest enters the church the people would stand in his honour. The priest makes intention of the prayer and then acknowledges to all his sins before asking the audience to ask Allah for forgiveness on his behalf. The congregation would do so and the priest would say “Ameen”. Then the congregation acknowledge to their sins before asking the priest to ask Allah for forgiveness on their behalf which he does.
The priest then stands on the altar and delivers a prayer in Latin asking Allah for forgiveness. The priest also reads a portion of the Bible at this occasion in respect of which the congregation stands. A sermon is also delivered in Catholic churches through which they renew their faith by declaring Isa (A.S.) to be the son of God and being a partner with God and their saviour.
After the prayer a special meal is provided for the congregation. This meal consists of wine and bread which the people bring with them to the church. They believe that the wine changes into the blood of Isa (A.S.) and the bread into his flesh and whosoever consumes this will be containing the blood and the flesh of Isa (A.S.) in his body. (Arkaan-e-Arba’a, page 92-99)
For further details refer to Arkaan-e-Arba’a written by Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Qasim bin Hashim Limbada
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
26 July 2004
08 Jumaadul Ukhraa 1425