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Muslim Prayer Practices Explained

1) Yes, Muslims and Christians both pray with open hands held beside each other or folded. Raising hands in supplication is a common practice among Muslims and Christians. 2) The prayers (salat) performed as acts of worship standing, bowing and prostrating are performed similarly between Muslims, Jews, and some sects of Christianity. 3) It is acceptable and appreciated for a Muslim to pray for a Christian, as praying for the well-being of others is a human act of kindness regardless of religious differences. When a Christian friend requested a Muslim friend pray for a sick relative, the Muslim friend was happy to oblige.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
27 views1 page

Muslim Prayer Practices Explained

1) Yes, Muslims and Christians both pray with open hands held beside each other or folded. Raising hands in supplication is a common practice among Muslims and Christians. 2) The prayers (salat) performed as acts of worship standing, bowing and prostrating are performed similarly between Muslims, Jews, and some sects of Christianity. 3) It is acceptable and appreciated for a Muslim to pray for a Christian, as praying for the well-being of others is a human act of kindness regardless of religious differences. When a Christian friend requested a Muslim friend pray for a sick relative, the Muslim friend was happy to oblige.

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jetasejdiu257
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Can a Muslim fold his hands to pray


like a Christian?
2

Answer Follow Request Details More

All related (33) Recommended

Arif Ullah · Follow


Studied Physics · 4y

If you look at my perspective, You can pray


whatever the way you like, you can pray with open
hands, you can pray with closed, with folded, with
unfolded or even with not even rising your hands
because when you are praying it means you are
asking something from God/Allah and believe me he
doesn’t even care whatever why you own. Its just
myths sometimes some people make them, You just
pray he can listen to you, he is very near to you, you
can’t even imagine.
Upvote · 14 1

Mohammad Khan · Follow


Former Tafe Teacher · 4y

Yes they do. You may have noticed christian priests


and pastors also raise stretch arms in front in
supplication. Its same common practice among
Muslims and Christians to fold or open both hands
side by side while doing supplication (Dua). But
doing Worship(salat namaz) is different which is
standing bowing and prostration. Jews and Muslims
perform worship (salat ,sholat) same way with
slight variation. Ethiopian orthodox christians and
Syriac orthodox christians some similarities with
jewish and muslim salat like standing kneeling to
[Link] christianity
Continue Reading is different based
on Roma
Upvote · 3

Is it normal for a Muslim to pray not


regularly? — Related

Cyril Anderson · Follow


Western Muslim seeking a balance between two
worlds · 7y

Are you going to be able to keep up a strong,


vibrant relationship with someone if you go months
without talking to the other partner?

No.

If your partner is willing to selflessly give gifts to


you, most of them unconditional, day in, day out,
and is seemingly endlessly ready to forgive you and
take you back, no matter how many times you
wander away or ignore the partner or are unfaithful,
it's certainly possible to take the partner for
granted.

But it's not normal. It's not a healthy relationship.


If you're a believer, your relationship
Continue Reading with God is the
most important relationship you h
Upvote · 56 2

Related questions (More answers below)

Why do followers of Islam pray with open


hands whereas other religions pray with
closed palms?
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Christian)
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As a Christian, if you found out a Muslim was


"praying for you" through their religion,
would that upset you? — Related

Arthur Weeks · Follow


Politically Liberal, Theologically Conservative · 5y

No, I’d appreciate their kind thoughts and concern


for my well being. Because someone’s beliefs differ
from mine we don’t need to be adversaries.
Upvote · 7

Eòghann Peadarson · Follow


Occasionally writes from and about the labyrinth of
English · 5y

No, why should it? When I told a Muslim friend of


mine (who himself was sick) about a relative of
mine who was ill, the first thing that he said to me
was that he would pray for her.

It does not matter what religion you follow (or if you


follow no religion), it’s about being human and
helping each other when times are hard.

Peace and goodwill to all.


Upvote · 5

John Cate · Follow


A Christian who doesn't want to live in a "Christian
Republic." · 5y

Of all of the things that I have to be concerned


about in my life, that would rank somewhere around
1,554,334th.

If a Muslim wants to pray for me, for whatever


reason, I could care less. Unless it’s my doctor,
who’s so Muslim his last name is Mohamed. He
might actually know something about me that
needs to be prayed over.
Upvote · 21

God originally wanted Muslims to pray 50


times a day, before Muhammad negotiated
the number to 5, how is such a high number
of prayers even possible? If this hadith is
fabricated, does that mean that Muslims
might be praying in vain? — Related

Abd Allah · Follow


Has studied the religion · Updated 3y

No, obviously Allah knows the future right? So he


knew that it would uld turn out to be 5 prayers.

Allah said at the end that we should do 5prayers


and whoever does it would have the reward of 50!

Allah is truly merciful. He said 50 first so that when


he made it 5 he would still give us 50 as a reward!

Also this way shows the mercy of Allah more than if


he would say 5 and be done with it.

There may be other reasons and Allah knows best,


this is my humble opinion.
Upvote · 46 5

Junaid Moola · Follow


Self-employed · Updated 2y

God originally wanted Muslims to pray


50 times a day, before Prophet
Muhammed (pbuh) negotiated the
number to 5, how is such a high number
of prayers even possible?

Prayer are the seeds that are sown in this world,


that shall bear fruits in the afterlife.

1. Fajr: 2 +2 = 4

2. Zuhr: 4 + 4 +2 + 2 = 12

3. Asar: 4 +4 = 8

4. Magrib: 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 9 (yes, there is a 2


Sunnah before the 3 faraz rakats that
many aren't aware off)

5. Esha: 4 + 4 + 2 + 2+ 3 + 2 = 17
Continue Reading
Subhan-Allah Total = 50
Upvote · 80 34 4
As you can see, although the original number of
prayers was 50, and as you put it that the prophet
Khalid Zakaria Hassan · Follow
Muhammed (pbuh) “negotiated” down to
Accountant · 5y

The Hadeeth is Authentic, and if you read the


Hadeeth in it’s entirety you will come to find that
the Messenger of Allah was was having a
discussion with Musa, Musa Insisted that he the
Messenger of Allah scale down the number of
prayer as he was the Prophet of the Israelites as
they could not handle even 5 set prayers.

When Allah decreed that the prayer will be 5 daily


prayers he also stated that they will be equal to 50
prayers in reward - meaning - the prayers in the
very beggining were not going to be 50, however if
Allah wanted to do he could
Continue do so, yet having said
Reading
that the Muslim will be
Upvote · 29 13

Do Jews join their hands when


praying? — Related

Gold Hunter Retired · Follow


I read a lot and studied - and I take Judaism
seriously. · 4y

No.

When we pray, we are usually holding a prayerbook!


The typical stance for Jewish prayer is merely to
stand up. Although there is not a problem with
sitting down, either, for some prayers. Table prayers
are usually said while sitting, and most people don’t
need a prayerbook for table blessings (mostly - I
certainly need one for Blessings after Meals, which
are lengthy (pages long)).

One of our oldest, and most important prayer


sequences, recited three times daily, is known by
several names and one of those names is ‘the
Standing (prayer)’.

That typical Christian typeReading


Continue ‘hands palm to palm’
stanc
Upvote · 20 11

Michael Safyan · Follow


Jewish and traditionally observant yet also atheist ·
3y

No. This is not common and certainly not


traditional.

Traditional prayers are recited either standing up or


sitting down (depending on the prayer) facing in a
common direction towards Jerusalem. One’s hands
are typically occupied holding the Siddur (prayer
book). There are certain parts of the service where
one is supposed to bow or to bounce up on the tips
of one’s feet. There are also some parts where one
steps back then forward or sways side-to-side.
Upvote · 9 4

Shayn M. · Follow
4y

No. When we pray, we are usually holding a siddur,


a prayerbook, in our hands and therefore couldn't
really put them together even if we wanted to. At
least, not unless we wanted to lose our place.

When making spontaneous, private prayers to God,


there is no need to do anything special with the
hands.

Clasping the hands together when praying or


holding them in the ”namaste” position seem to
have come into Christianity from pagan Eastern and
Near-Eastern sources.
Upvote · 12 2

Who do Muslim pray for? — Related

Arshia Shah · Follow


JD from London Metropolitan University · 5y

If you mean who do Muslims pray TO, than the


answer is that we pray to God. The One Unique
powerful and majestic Creator who created all that
is in the heavens and the earth. The one who sent
all prophets, from Adam to Muhammad, including
Joseph, Abraham, Jesus and Moses (peace upon
them all). He is without gender or plurality,
weakness or need. Allah is the Arabic word for God
(Jesus called God Elah).

If you meant who do Muslims pray FOR, we pray for


our families and friends, for our neighbors and co-
workers, and for all of humanity.
Upvote · 11 5

Can I ask a Muslim to pray for me? (A


Christian) — Related

Gail · Follow
Christian psychologist, also a Jew, happily married
to an African man · 7y

Yes, I do. I'm a Christian who reads the Bible.

Recently, I was invited by a Nigerian Muslim friend


to her son's baby-naming ceremony at their
mosque. I asked the women what I should do. So, I
covered my hair with a scarf, washed my feet and
hands, (as is the custom in a mosque), entered the
prayer room, and sat down on the rug.

After some prayers, the Iman introduced me to


everyone, as all knew I was a visitor. He then
offered to pray for me. I said, of course! He then
prayed for me in Arabic and Yoruba in a way that
changed my life, forever.
Continue Reading
I'm still a Christian. However, there is much that G
Upvote · 16 2 1

Tarik Al-Hoshan · Follow


Former Software Development · 7y

I am a Muslim and would not mind praying for a


Christian friend, asking God for His favors upon that
person. Yet, I believe that a person is best served
by addressing his prayers directly to God as God is
all hearing to His creatures. "And when My servants
ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I
answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on
Me, so they should answer My call and believe in
Me that they may walk in the right way." - Quran
Chaper 2 / Verse 186
Upvote · 5

Moha Kal · Follow


6y

actually muslims and christians have the same god


but a different profit

thats the only difference and they don't believe that


Jesus is the son of god
Upvote · 5 4

2 answers collapsed (Why?)

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Common questions

Powered by AI

The hand position of palms together in Christian prayer is thought to have pagan Eastern origins and is not present in early Christianity or other Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, where hands are typically engaged with a prayer book . Islamic prayer does not traditionally involve clasped hands, focusing instead on open palms during supplication and specific movements during salat .

Jews typically do not join their hands while praying; instead, they often hold a prayer book and perform specific gestures such as bowing at certain parts of the service . Muslims may pray with open or closed hands during supplication, but during salat (formal prayers), they follow a specific sequence of body movements that include standing, bowing, and prostrating . Christians may pray with palms together, a practice believed to have pagan Eastern origins, though practices vary widely among denominations .

Prayer books hold varying significance across religions due to differing views on the structure and spontaneity of worship. In Judaism and Christianity, prayer books provide structured prayers to guide worship, signifying a historical emphasis on communal worship traditions and consistency in liturgy . Islam generally favors memorization and direct recitation from the Quran, reflecting a focus on personal connection and understanding of divine word without intermediary structures .

In Christianity, maintaining a relationship with God is likened to interpersonal relationships, requiring consistent communication, while in Islam, prayer emphasizes submission and direct communication with God as a fundamental aspect of worship without requiring intermediaries .

Islamic tradition addresses human limitations through the mercy shown in the reduction of daily prayers, allowing Muslims to fulfill their religious duties without excessive burden . Meanwhile, Jewish prayer practices accommodate human capabilities by allowing flexibility in prayer posture, such as standing or sitting, and by the communal nature of some prayers, which can be supportive in expressing struggle and limitation .

Praying for others is often seen as an act of goodwill and solidarity regardless of religious affiliation. For example, some individuals, such as a Christian attending a Muslim ceremony, welcome prayers offered in other religious traditions as gestures of goodwill . This shows that the act of praying for others can be appreciated as a humanitarian gesture beyond religious boundaries .

Islamic theology holds that Allah is the single creator and sustainer who listens to all supplications, regardless of the worshipper's faith. The phenomenon of non-Muslims having their prayers answered can be viewed as a reflection of God's benevolence and the universal nature of divine mercy, implying that God's providence is not limited to the faithful alone .

In Islam, the number of daily prayers was originally decreed as fifty but was "negotiated" by Prophet Muhammad to five daily prayers, each with the reward of fifty prayers . This narrative emphasizes Allah's mercy and aims to demonstrate that people can attain great reward with manageable obligations .

The reduction of daily prayers from fifty to five, as recorded in Islamic tradition, involved negotiation by Prophet Muhammad, highlighting not only divine mercy but also the importance of manageable religious duties for worshippers. This narrative illustrates the flexibility and compassion inherent in Islamic teachings, offering maximal reward for achievable obligations .

In Islam, praying with open hands symbolizes supplication and submission to God. It reflects an attitude of humility and openness, signifying that the worshipper is ready to receive blessings and guidance. This practice contrasts with the more structured movements of salat, which emphasize discipline and obedience .

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