How Muhammad designed daily five prayers for ensuring his security?
NECESSITY FOR 5 DAILY PRAYERS
In the previous article, we made a sense of merciful Allah’s love toward us in comparison to that of our mothers and implication of the ‘cancerous’ five daily prayers, which we see as our sacred duty. In this article, let us analyze who invented the doctrine of five daily prayers and its real purpose.
There are few verses in the Quran that explains the various occasions of prayer in the span of 24 hours of the day. Those are Sura Hood (11:114), Sura Bani Israeel (17:78-79), Sura Taaha (20:130), Sura Ar-Roome (30:17-18), Sura Al-Qaf (50:39), Sura Muzammil (73:2-8) & Sura Ad-Dahr/Al-Insaan (76:26). The repeated urging of the late evening and early-morning prayers, even for praying through the whole night, in these verses points to emergency kind of situations behind these occasions of prayers. It may be well that the night hours were when Muhammad feared that victims of Jihad raids may make a revenge attack on him.
WASTING HOURS ON PRAYING FIVES TIMES A DAY FOR NOTHING
One amongst the different Muslim groups called ‘Tableeghi’ or ‘Daaee’ – meaning those who propagate Islam; make Daawah (inviting people to Islam) among the moderate Muslims! These lazy guys are good for nothing to their families. Their job is to isolate themselves from family burdens and roaming from mosque to mosque, no matter how far they are from their homes town. Sometimes they go to other countries also leaving behind their families under Allah’s care! They spent months away from their families, travelling and sleeping in mosques. Some of them are Homosexuals. They get good food wherever they go, and lead tension free life.
Their main object is to brainwash young Muslims, studying in colleges and universities or doing jobs. They consider the moderate Muslims more or less as infidels. While inviting moderate Muslims to mosques for praying, Tableeghis insist that praying is as if a five-minute job—i.e. five prayers a day taking only 25 minutes. In reality, each prayer consumes nearly one hour, from the moment we stop our job, head to the mosque, do ablutions, attend the prayer, and again getting back to work. We Muslims waste nearly five hours each day for the ceremony that Muhammad invented for his personnel interest, subsequently imposed upon us by the ‘Rightly guided’ caliphs for their own benefits.
WHY DO WE NEED TO PRAY, IF WE ARE SURE TO ATTAIN PARADISE WITHOUT PRAY?
It is a common tendency among God-believing human beings to attain access to God’s paradise after death irrespective of which religion they belong to. Muslims are no exception to that, but are keener than the followers of other religions. In his hadith, Muhammad says, Muslims will go to hell even if they lose even one ‘takbeer’ in prayer in their life-time.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has said: “Whoever lets the Prayer lapse, and then offers it after its due time, will burn in hell for not praying on time, for a period of one "Haqab".” One "Haqab" equals 80 years, and one year has 360 days, and the Day of Resurrection will equal a thousand years. Which means that one who lets just one prayer lapse will burn in hell for a period of 28,800,000 years! (May Allah protect us – Aameen)
If the above hadiths are true, then what Muhammad is certainly contradicting in the following hadith, which says, only Imaan (faith) is enough for going to hell, Muhammad wanted to keep it secret.
Muhammad said to his companion, “O Muaadh, There is none who testifies sincerely that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad as His Messenger, except that Allah will save him from the Hell-fire. Whoever will meet Allah without associating anything in worship with Him will go to paradise?” Then Muaadh asked Muhammad, “Should I not inform the people of this good news?” On that Muhammad replied, “No, I am afraid, lest they should depend upon it absolutely.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:130 & 131)
So, what Muhammad actually wants for us Muslims? This hadiths gives a clear picture of Muhammad’s intention that he doesn’t want the Muslims just to have faith in Allah, which is enough for Muslims to achieve the ultimate, accession to paradise. He also wanted Muslims to fight for him to fulfill his unholy ambitions.
MAIN PURPOSE OF PRAYERS IN ISLAM: MUHAMMAD’S SECURITY WHILE PRAYING
The main purpose of the implementation of five daily prayers is to ensure Muhammad’s security. The following verses of the Quran give enough indication of that:
Allah says, “….If you fear from your opponents pray in two sessions while praying out of your city (Madina). Let one party of them stand up in prayer with you, taking their arms with them. When they finish their prostrations, let them take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which has not yet prayed, and let them pray with you, taking all precautions and bearing arms...(Quran/ Sura An-Nisa/ 4:101-102)
Muhammad used insist upon his disciples to attend prayers in congregation at his mosque in Medina. So, having assembled all of his disciples when Muhammad was praying would have ensured or increased his security. To protect Muhammad, the Sahabas used say a shorter prayer as urged in the above verse and then stood guard of beloved prophet.
What is interesting is: To protect his prophet, Allah needed the physical help of gullible Muslims! In contrast, to protect and support the Muslim soldiers in battlefields, Allah sends thousand of invisible angels! It is victory of Allah and his angels, if Muhammad wins the battle! It is Allah’s test upon Muslims, even their own fault, when Muhammad lost battles, such as the battle of Ohud!
PUPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A MOSQUE ATTACHED TO MUHAMMAD’S HOUSE AT MADINA
Prophet Muhammad constructed a mosque at Madina on the graveyard of Banu Najjars – an pagan Arab tribe – after digging out the graves.
“So, the Prophet ordered the graves of the pagans to be dug out and the land to be leveled, and the date-palm trees to be cut down.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol 1, Book 8, Number 420/ Bukhari Vol 3:92)
O my brethren! Next time if you happen to visit Madina, bear in mind that you are sitting and walking on the graves of the innocents.
Prayers have no spiritual meaning in Islam. Muhammad constructed the famous Prophet’s Mosque or Masjid-an-Nabvi in Madina as an extended part of his house and initiated congregational prayers in it—solely for his personal interest, i.e. mainly to ensure his safety in the company of all his disciples. Muhammad’s hadiths and biographies inform us that he used to choose the dark ours of the evening and early-morning hours for attacking the non-Muslim tribes of Arabia (see refs below). So, it is natural that Muhammad would fear revenge attacks on him during those hours. That’s why verses of the Quran repeatedly reminds his followers to attend the evening (Magrib, Eshaa) and early-morning (Fajr) prayers, even urges Muslims to pray throughout the night (verses cited above).
So, in the dictionary of Muhammad, the term ‘Masjid’ or ‘mosque’ meant something like a ‘military camp’ and the office of the commander-in-chief. Muhammad was a very clever politician. To protect himself from possible surprise revenge attacks from his numerous victims, he initiated five daily prayers, so that his disciples would stay around him at during the critical periods of possible attacks on him.
WHY PRAY AT FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES?
We Muslim never question as to why Allah wants us to bow to Him at five different time-points of the day, instead of just one long prayer a day. This doubt will be cleared, if we read his biography once in our life time. As mentioned already, Muhammad used to raid the unarmed non-Muslim tribes during the night and dawn, because he thought it was the best time to catch them unaware and unprepared so that it becomes easy to kill and loot them. There are many hadiths that give evidence of Muhammad’s atrocious attacks during those hours. It is not possible to quote all of them in a short article. So, I will quote only a fraction of them (I urge my Muslim brethren to down load these hadith books that are entirely free of cost, and read it on your own, to know completely about Muhammad – a charlatan).
EVIDENCE OF MUHAMMAD’S MORNING RAIDS
- Narrated Usamah: The Apostle of Allah enjoined upon him to attack Ubna in the morning and burn the place. (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, No. 2610)
- Mohammed led a surprise attack on the Banu al-Mustaliq tribe in the early morning, while they were inattentive and their cattle were drinking water." (Sunan Abu Dawud /vol.2 no.227/ p.727-728)
- Narrated Anas:The Prophet set out for Khaibar and reached it at night. He used not to attack if he reached the people at night, till the day broke. So, when the day dawned, the Jews came out with their bags and spades. When they saw the Prophet; they said, “Muhammad and his army!” The Prophet said, Allahu—Akbar! (Allah is Greater) and Khaibar is ruined, for whenever we approach a nation (i.e. enemy to fight) then it will be a miserable morning for those who have been warned.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari: vol 4:195)
The above hadiths are sufficient enough to conclude that why Muhammad needed the early-morning prayer. Muhammad was very fearful about his life. He never trusts anybody. He was always very cautious about his life alone, and never compromised it for anything.
MUHAMMAD’S KILLING AT NIGHT
“Kaab’s body was left prostrated (humbled in submission). Sword in hand we cut him down. By Muhammad’s order we were sent secretly by night. Brother killing brother. We lured him to his death with guile (cunning and deviousness). Travelling by night, bold as lions, we went into his home. We made him taste death with our deadly swords. We sought victory for the religion of the Prophet.” (Ishaq: 368)
“The Prophet passed by and was asked whether it was permissible to attack infidels at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger. The Prophet replied, “Their women and children are from them.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol 4:256)
Poetess Asma bte Marwan and poet Abu Afaq were killed by his disciples in night-time attacks.
As Muhammad thought dark-hours was the best time for attacking his victims, he must have thought that his victims would like to carry out revenge attacks on him at similar times. So, he fixed three of the five daily prayers during dark hours. Moreover both He and Allah put more emphasis on the dark-hour prayers.
HADITHS ON EMPHASIZING ON DARK-HOUR (FAJR & ISHAA) PRAYERS
There are number of hadiths putting special importance on attending the dark-hour prayers. Here are a few:
The Prophet of Allah said, “People would attend Ishaa and Fajr (Dawn) prayers in congregation, even if they were to crawl to grab the rewards.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:624 & 688)
The Prophet said, “The angels of the night and the angels of the day gather at the time of Fajr(Dawn) prayer.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:621).
(Probably shaytan would gather during the other remaining prayers)
“If somebody is forbidden by his mother from going to the congregational ‘Ishaa’ prayer because of mercy and pity for him he should not obey her.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1/ 11 The Book of Adhaan(The Call of Prayer)/ Chapter 29/ Page 350)
(No mercy and pity in Allah’s domain)
Allah's Apostle said, “…..and if they knew the reward of 'Isha' and Fajr (morning) prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl." (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Volume 1, Book 11, Number 589)
(Muhammad is not ready to spare even the disabled from attending his mosque)
SUPERIORITY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS (25 OR 27 TIMES SUPERIOR? MUHAMMAD SEEMS UNSURE!)
The Prophet Muhammad said, “The prayer in congregation is 27 times superior to the prayer offered by a person alone. (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:618)
The Prophet Muhammad said, “The prayer in congregation is 25 times superior to the prayer offered by a person alone. (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:619-620)
MUHAMMAD WILL BURN THE ABSENTEES OF FAJR & ISHAA CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS
Muhammad was not satisfied with those who attended the prayers. He wanted each and every one of his disciple to attend prayers at his mosque. He was angry with the absentees and threatened of burning them alive if they continued skipping the night-time prayer:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "No prayer is harder for the hypocrites than the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayers and if they knew the reward for these prayers at their respective times, they would certainly present themselves (in the mosques) even if they had to crawl." The Prophet added, "Certainly I decided to order the Mu'adh-dhin (call-maker) to pronounce Iqama and order a man to lead the prayer and then take a fire flame to burn all those who had not left their houses so far for the prayer along with their houses." (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:617 & 626)
Muhammad said: Prayer is talking to Allah
Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "Whenever anyone of you offers his prayer he is speaking in private to his Lord. (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:508)
If so, what is wrong with saying prayers from any where? Why was he so angry on those, who said prayers at their houses? My Muslim brethren! Should it be all crystal clear to you, what was the real purpose of prayers for Muhammad?
Muhammad changing Ishaa and Fajr prayer times to keep his disciple the whole night at his mosque
Hadiths inform us that Muhammad used to change the timing of the Ishaa and Fajr prayers times so that he disciples will stay at the mosque the entire night.
TACTICS OF DELAYING THE ‘ISHAA’ PRAYER:
In order to delay the Ishaa prayer, Muhammad insisted on having the dinner first, then say that prayer:
Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet said, "If supper is served, and Iqama is pronounced one should start with the supper." (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:640 & 641; SAHIH MUSLIM 4:1134)
Another hadith says that Muhammad intentionally delayed the Ishaa prayer almost indefinitely so that his disciples spent the whole night in his mosque:
Narrated Ibn Juraij from Nafi: 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Once Allah's Apostle was busy (at the time of the 'Isha'), so the prayer was delayed so much so that we slept and woke up and slept and woke up again ……..(Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:545(a) & 545(b)
Other hadiths say, Muhammad used to delay the Ishaa prayer until middle of the night:
“The prophet …….did not mind delaying the 'Isha prayer to one third of the night or the middle of the night." (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:516)
This means, his disciple would spend the night at the mosque until saying the Fajr prayer before heading home.
Saying the Fajr prayers early
According Sahih Al-Bukhari (Vol 4:49), Prophet Muhammad insisted on his men to attend the first ‘Fajr’ dawn prayer early.
So, delaying the Ishaa prayer and advancing the Fajr prayer early meant his disciples had to spend most of the night at his mosque. They probably just slept in the mosque until saying the dawn prayer and went home at daybreak when Muhammad felt more secure.
These hadiths (there are more) suffice to show how badly Muhammad felt threatened and insecure and tried to be surrounded by all of his disciples during night hours. So, Muhammad depended on his followers for his personnel protection and applied all kinds of tactics to attain that. On the other hand, he claimed hundreds of invisible angels were coming to the protection of his followers when in battles! And if his followers lost, it was their fault because, he claimed, they didn’t listen to his instructions as was the case with battle of Ohud. What a great religion this Islam is!
WAITING PERIOD IN MOSQUE IS = PRAYING
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The prayer offered in congregation is twenty five times more superior (in reward) to the prayer offered alone in one's house or in a business center, because if one performs ablution and does it perfectly, and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of praying, then for each step which he takes towards the mosque, Allah upgrades him a degree in reward and (forgives) crosses out one sin till he enters the mosque. When he enters the mosque he is considered in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer and the angels keep on asking for Allah's forgiveness for him and they keep on saying: 'O Allah! Be Merciful to him, O Allah! Forgive him, as long as he keeps on sitting at his praying place and does not pass wind. (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:466)
Narrated Anas: The Prophet delayed the 'lsha' prayer till midnight and then he offered the prayer and said, "The people prayed and slept but you have been in prayer as long as you have been waiting for it (the prayer)." Anas added: As if I am looking now at the glitter of the ring of the Prophet on that night. (Sahih Al-Bukhari/ Vol 1:546)
Here you can see the extent to which did Muhammad go to keep his followers in his mosque. He was intentionally delaying the Ishaa prayer and advancing Fajr prayer so that his followers had to stay longer at his mosque waiting, probably the whole night, and he claimed that all the time they spent at his mosque, even if just sitting there waiting to pray, they were actually praying. The purpose was to make them feel good even if they have to wait for very long time to say prayers.
CONCLUSION
From the above Quranic verses and hadiths, it is crystal clear that Islamic prayers were invented by Muhammad primary to safeguard his life. By constructing his mosque and house within the same compound in Madina, he primarily ensured his round-the-clock protection by followers. He also made use of the mosque facility as a garrison for training his disciple for waging war on those, who refuse to accept his leadership by accepting Islam. I will discuss about those trainings in the next part of this article.
Meanwhile, it is up to you my Muslim brethren to make up your minds about the so-called ‘sacred’ Islamic prayers.
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