A Special Winter Holiday Reminder For You (The prayer of Jesus and his mother Mary...)
Even if you’ve been praying for years, prayer (salah) can still feel like something out of the norm, or a bit unnatural...
It’s in a foreign language (for most of us), it involves positions and movements that we wouldn’t do otherwise, etc.
And particularly in the west, prayer—especially the way we pray as Muslims—is quite an unfamiliar concept.
We become especially conscious of this when we have to pray in public…
It can feel pretty awkward or uneasy, right?
You can't really pray without people noticing that you're praying... or from their perspective, doing some interesting yoga-like stretches and movements.
On that note, I'd like to share an important message with you today, 24th of December, which for many is Christmas Eve...
...which I hope helps make prayer more natural for you, and inspires you to pray with greater confidence in private and in public.
And that message is:
You should know that prayer (salah) is not a new concept or idea that we do only because the Prophet Muhammad, may God grant him blessings and peace, did it 1400+ years ago...
Rather, prayer is an ancient phenomenon and tradition which has been done by all of the great messengers of God:
We made all of them leaders, guiding others by Our command, and We inspired them to do good works, to keep up the prayer, and to give alms: they were Our true worshippers. (21:73)
Specific examples from the Qur'an
Because it's "the most wonderful time of the year," let's begin with the examples of Jesus, his mother Mary, and her guardian Zachariah (may God be pleased with them all)...
Jesus said: "I am a servant of God. He has granted me the Scripture and made me a prophet. He made me blessed wherever I may be. He commanded me to pray, and to give alms as long as I live, and to be kind / dutiful to my mother.” (19:31)
The angels said: "Mary, God has chosen you and made you pure: He has truly chosen you above all women. Mary, be devout to your Lord, prostrate yourself ΛΉin prayerΛΊ, and bow down with those who bow down." (3:43)
The angels called out to him (Zachariah), while he stood praying in the sanctuary, ‘"God gives you news of John (Yahya), confirming a Word from God. He will be noble and chaste, a prophet, one of the righteous." (3:39)
Here are a few (of the many) other examples in the Qur'an...
Abraham said: "Lord, grant that I and my offspring may keep up the prayer. Our Lord, accept my request." (14:40)
He (Ishmael) commanded his household to pray and give alms, and his Lord was well pleased with him. (19:55)
We revealed to Moses and his brother (Aaron): "Provide houses for your people in Egypt, make your houses places of worship, keep up the prayer, and give good news to the believers!’ (10:87)
So what's the main takeaway?
Connecting with the Creator through prayer (salah) is, and has always been, very normal.
Not praying is what is, in fact, quite abnormal.
Prostration in past scriptures
Perhaps the most iconic and unique aspect of our prayer (in contrast to Christians and many Jews) is the position of prostration (sajdah).
But did you know that there are tons of references in the Old Testament and New Testament where Jesus, his disciples and other significant figures are prostrating to God, the same way we do today?
That's right! See a few of them below...
(Note: we don't necessarily consider these references to be historically accurate or theologically true.)
"And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." - Matthew 26:39
"And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid." - Matthew 17:6
"Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?" - Genesis 17:17
"And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped." - Exodus 34:8
My closing remarks
So at this time of year, as many celebrate what they believe to be the birth of Jesus, who they believe to be divine...
...let us feel honored and blessed that we pray to the same God to whom Jesus (and all the prophets) prayed...
..and that we follow their tradition in the way we pray: bowing and prostrating, falling upon our faces before God with humility, gratitude and love.
May God guide us and our fellow brothers and sisters in humanity to the truth, and may He make us of those who turn to Him in prayer, connecting with Him meaningfully and consistently.
With love,
Farzan Parupia
Founder & CEO
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