Prayer in Islamic Thought and Practice (Themes in Islamic History, Series Number 6)

The five daily prayers (ṣalāt) that constitute the second pillar of Islam deeply pervade the everyday life of observant Muslims. Until now, however, no general study has analyzed the rules governing ṣalāt, the historical dimensions of its practice, and the rich variety of ways that it has been interpreted within the Islamic tradition. Marion Holmes Katz's richly textured book offers a broad historical survey of the rules, values, and interpretations relating to ṣalāt. This innovative study on the subject examines the different ways in which prayer has been understood in Islamic law, Sufi mysticism, and Islamic philosophy. Katz's book also goes beyond the spiritual realm to analyze the political dimensions of prayer, including scholars' concerns about the righteousness and piety of rulers. The last chapter raises significant issues around gender roles, including the question of women's participating in and leading public worship. Katz persuasively describes ṣalāt as both an egalitarian practice and one that can lead to extraordinary religious experience and spiritual distinction. This book will resonate with students of Islamic history and comparative religion. The five daily prayers (ṣalāt) that constitute the second pillar of Islam deeply pervade the everyday life of observant Muslims. Until now, however, no general study has analyzed the rules governing ṣalāt, the historical dimensions of its practice, and the rich variety of ways that it has been interpreted within the Islamic tradition. Marion Holmes Katz's richly textured book offers a broad historical survey of the rules, values, and interpretations relating to ṣalāt. This innovative study on the subject examines the different ways in which prayer has been understood in Islamic law, Sufi mysticism, and Islamic philosophy. Katz's book also goes beyond the spiritual realm to analyze the political dimensions of prayer, including scholars' concerns about the righteousness and piety of rulers. The last chapter raises significant issues around gender roles, including the question of women's participating in and leading public worship. Katz persuasively describes ṣalāt as both an egalitarian practice and one that can lead to extraordinary religious experience and spiritual distinction. This book will resonate with students of Islamic history and comparative religion--from publisher's website The five daily prayers (Salāt) that constitute the second pillar of Islam deeply pervade the everyday life of observant Muslims. Until now, however, no general study has analyzed the rules governing Salāt, the historical dimensions of its practice, and the rich variety of ways that it has been interpreted within the Islamic tradition. Marion Holmes Katz's richly textured book offers a broad historical survey of the rules, values, and interpretations relating to Salāt. This innovative study on the subject examines the different ways in which prayer has been understood in Islamic law, Sufi mysticism, and Islamic philosophy. Katz's book also goes beyond the spiritual realm to analyze the political dimensions of prayer, including scholars' concerns about the righteousness and piety of rulers. The last chapter raises significant issues around gender roles, including the question of women's participating in and leading public worship. Katz persuasively describes Salāt as both an egalitarian practice and one that can lead to extraordinary religious experience and spiritual distinction. This book will resonate with students of Islamic history and comparative religion. -- Provided by publisher Cover Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Canonical prayer (&sbdot;alāt) and supplication (du&ayin;ā&hamza;): Development and rules &Sbdot;alāt: conditions and components Supplication: Du&ayin;ā&hamza; 2 Valid prayer and ideal prayer Intent (nīya) Reverence (khushū&ayin;) and concentration (&hbdot;u&dbdot;ūr al-qalb) The cultivation of emotion Ethical transformation Conclusion 3 Interpretive models: What is &sbdot;alāt, and what does it do? The model of the royal audience Prayer as communication &Sbdot;alāt as an exercise in self-discipline &Sbdot;alāt as a reflection of the cosmos Modern developments 4 The community at prayer: Congregational prayer, prayer leadership (imāma), and the boundaries of the religious community Friday prayers Leadership in prayer (imāma) Prayer behind a leader of another legal school Knowledge of prayer and its distribution in the community Failure to pray Modern developments 5 Women and prayer Women’s prayer leadership (imāma) and placement within the congregation Women’s mosque access Knowledge and mastery of prayer Conclusion Bibliography I. Primary Sources II . Secondary Sources Index Canonical Prayer (ṣalat) And Supplication (duʻa'): Development And Rules -- Ṣalat: Conditions And Components -- Supplication: Duʻa' -- Valid Prayer And Ideal Prayer -- Intent (nīya) -- Reverence (khushu') And Concentration (ḥuḍūr Al-qalb) -- The Cultivation Of Emotion -- Ethical Transformation -- Interpretive Models: What Is ṣalat, And What Does It Do? -- The Model Of The Royal Audience -- Prayer As Communication -- Ṣalat As An Exercise In Self-discipline -- Ṣalat As A Reflection Of The Cosmos -- Modern Developments -- The Community At Prayer: Congregational Prayer, Prayer Leadership (imama), And The Boundaries Of The Religious Community -- Friday Prayers -- Leadership In Prayer (imama) -- Prayer Behind A Leader Of Another Legal School -- Knowledge Of Prayer And Its Distribution In The Community -- Failure To Pray -- Modern Developments -- Women And Prayer -- Women's Prayer Leadership (imama) And Placement Within The Congregation -- Women's Mosque Access -- Knowledge And Mastery Of Prayer. Marion Holmes Katz. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 217-233) And Index. Marion Holmes Katz's richly textured book offers a broad historical survey of the rules, values and interpretations relating to Salat, the five daily prayers of Islam. This innovative study on the subject examines the different ways in which prayer has been understood in Islamic law, Sufi mysticism and Islamic philosophy.