The Meaning Behind Muslim Prayer Postures

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind the three positions of Muslim prayer?

In the youtube video "Steps of Muslim prayer explained"  by David Middlecamp,
Spiritual Leader (Imam) Mas'ab Abdalla explains it with grace and simplicity. 

1. Hands are put up to symbolize putting the world behind, so as to focus fully on God.  Imam Abdalla shares "it's hard, but it's a practice we do five times a day".  "This first step is standing up, with the mind above the heart; the first step on the journey for a seeker of truth - it is all intellectual; learning the steps of purifying onesself, and how to pray. . ."

2. The second step is done in the bowing state.  The mind and heart are now on a level - they are even with one another.  Imam Abdalla tells us that this represents the second step of the seeker - and that in this pose the teaching is transferred from solely intellectual in the mind to an experience of the heart.

3. Prostration.  In the third and final stage of the seeker, the mind is placed below the heart; it represents the submission of heart to God.  In this stage, says Abdalla, "We trust in God. We are loving God whether times are tough or times are prosperous."

To see the video of this simple and beautiful explanation offered by Imam Abdalla,
please CLICK HERE (or the link above) to watch.

If you did your own prayer five times every day, what do you think might unfold?

If this information is new to you, thank you for opening your mind and heart to another's way of praying; understanding builds compassion, compassion builds community, community makes our world a better place for everyone.

Much Love,
Rev. Maya

Image above is from www.learnreligions.com