Contact Prayers
As a Submitter to God (in Arabic, Muslim), I am privileged to perform a specific set of prayers each day, known as the Contact Prayer (in Arabic, Salat). I recite these prayers in Arabic, though I don’t speak or understand the Arabic language. In order to avoid just reciting syllables without understanding, I try to think of the English meaning as I’m saying the Arabic words. I don’t always remember, but when I do, I’m awed by the words He’s given us to say. I’m overwhelmed by this gift from God to us — this opportunity to make contact with our Creator and humble ourselves before Him.
We begin, as we should begin everything, by saying “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.” Everything we do or say or think is in the name of God, and it’s important to remember that. He is in full control of everything.
[31:22] Those who submit completely to GOD, while leading a righteous life, have gotten hold of the strongest bond. For GOD is in full control of all things.
[39:62] GOD is the Creator of all things, and He is in full control of all things.
Then we praise God, who is Lord of the Universe. Again, this recognition that He created it all. The majesty and grandeur of the heavens — a vastness we can’t really comprehend. And our amazing planet earth that sustains us, by His grace.
Then we repeat, “Most Gracious, Most Merciful.” He shows us mercy way beyond what we deserve. He forgives our sins, allows us to repent and reform. Gives us chance after chance.
[2:160] As for those who repent, reform, and proclaim, I redeem them. I am the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
We then acknowledge that He is “Master of the Day of Judgment.” We will all come before God in the end, each of us as an individual. There will be no one to intercede on our behalf. What we do on this earth is all being recorded and that record will be shown to us. God overlooks many of our sins, but if we don’t make the decision to worship God alone, our bad deeds can overwhelm us. God does not forgive idol worship, if maintained until death. We have to devote ourselves absolutely to God, with our whole heart.
[19:95] All of them will come before Him on the Day of Resurrection as individuals.
[17:13] We have recorded the fate of every human being; it is tied to his neck. On the Day of Resurrection we will hand him a record that is accessible.
[26:89] Only those who come to GOD with their whole heart (will be saved).
Perhaps the most important sentence of all is: “You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.” If we turn to anyone or anything other than God for help or support, if we think we are in control of our lives, if we feel vain pride in our accomplishments, then we are not worshiping God alone. God is the only One who can support us, and He can support us completely. He is the only One who controls everything in our lives, every minute of every day. He is the only One who allows us to be successful in this world. It all comes from God alone.
[22:15] If anyone thinks that GOD cannot support him in this life and in the Hereafter, let him turn completely to (his Creator in) heaven, and sever (his dependence on anyone else). He will then see that this plan eliminates anything that bothers him.
[8:17] It was not you who killed them; GOD is the One who killed them. It was not you who threw when you threw; GOD is the One who threw. But He thus gives the believers a chance to earn a lot of credit. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
[57:22–3] Anything that happens on earth, or to you, has already been recorded, even before the creation. This is easy for GOD to do. Thus, you should not grieve over anything you miss, nor be proud of anything He has bestowed upon you. GOD does not love those who are boastful, proud.
And finally we implore God to guide us, to keep us on the right path in the company of other righteous worshipers and to protect us from the evils of this world, from those who would mislead us, tempt us to turn away from God.
[6:71] Say, “Shall we implore, beside GOD, what possesses no power to benefit us or hurt us, and turn back on our heels after GOD has guided us? In that case, we would join those possessed by the devils, and rendered utterly confused, while their friends try to save them: ‘Stay with us on the right path.’ ” Say, “GOD’s guidance is the right guidance. We are commanded to submit to the Lord of the universe.”
The Contact Prayer then goes beyond those words. There are specific movements we are taught that continue to focus our attention on God — how great He is and how small we are.
We bow respectfully, while reciting several times an Arabic phrase that means, glory be to my Lord, the Great. And as we come up from this bow, we remind ourselves that God, in His mercy, responds to those who pray to Him.
Next we prostrate on the ground. Not just on our knees, but with our faces on the floor. And in this most humble position we glorify God again, saying He is the Most High. I thank God for allowing me to be able to prostrate — physically, mentally and spiritually — before His Majesty.
To be able to prostrate shows willingness to submit totally to God’s will. We are acknowledging that we are as nothing compared to God. He fully controls everything in us and everything around us. He has told us that when we come before Him on the Day of Judgment, everyone will be required to prostrate before Him. Those who haven’t nurtured their souls and submitted willingly to God during their lives, those who chose not to prostrate here and now, will be unable to prostrate on that Day. It takes practice, enthusiasm and preparedness. It must be something willingly done during our life on earth.
[7:206] Those at your Lord are never too proud to worship Him; they glorify Him and fall prostrate before Him.
[22:77] O you who believe, you shall bow, prostrate, worship your Lord, and work righteousness, that you may succeed.
[68:42–3] The day will come when they will be exposed, and they will be required to fall prostrate, but they will be unable to. With their eyes subdued, humiliation will cover them. They were invited to fall prostrate when they were whole and able.
Between these movements, we recite the well-known phrase “Allahu Akbar” which simply means God is Great. How can anyone deny that the One who created the heavens and the earth, the One who controls our life and our death, the One who provides for us and protects us, how can you deny that He is Great.
And to finish, while still on our knees, we say to God that we bear witness that He is the One and only God and that He has no partners. There is no one who equals God, no one who can stand beside Him, no one who can intercede for us.
When I recite my Contact Prayer, this is what I try to concentrate on. May God accept from me my worship and keep me on the right path.
Al-Fatehah
[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[1:2] Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
[1:3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment.
[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
[1:6] Guide us in the right path;
[1:7] the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.
(All Quranic verses are from Quran: The Final Testament, translated by Rashad Khalifa)
