Salaat is more than you think!

Besides the spiritual benefits of salaat, there are actual benefits to the form of the Islamic prayer. I was not surprised to discover that benefits would include such things as a higher level of concentration and mindfulness. But I had not thought about the fact that Allah may have given us even more, distinct benefits to us – our bodies and minds – that are derived from the physical act of making salaat in the prescribed manner.

Kabir Edmund Helminski, in Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulness & the Essential Self, writes:

“The Islamic ritual prayer, practiced five times a day, is a sequence of standing, bowing, prostrating, and kneeling, accompanied by prescribed verbal affirmations and lines from the Qur’an selected and recited by the individual. The prayer is understood to be invalid without a mindful witnessing of the presence of God. Physically, it exercises the major joints (especially the spinal column), massages the intestinal tract, transmits a reflex to the liver, regulates the breath, and stimulates the frontal cortex of the brain as it is brought to the ground, while momentarily leaving the heart in a higher position than the brain. Salaat is a form that integrates mindfulness, mental precision, affirmation, devotion, and stretching. Done five times a day for a lifetime, it has profound effects on the body and soul.”

This is discussed in greater detail during the description of the salaat that is found in Chapter 9 – Salat: The Postures of the Prophets in The Book of Sufi Healing by Shaykh Hakim Moinuddin Chishti (of the Chishti Order of Sufis). Below is what Shaykh Chishti writes in describing the physical and mental benefits of the postures of salaat. (Please note that I am not here attempting to give description or instruction on the form and postures of the prayer. I am only giving the general description of certain postures for which Shaykh Chishti has written the benefits.)

Niyyat – when one begins by saying “Allahu akbar”

“Body feels relieved of weight owing to even distribution on both feet. Straightening back improves posture. Mind is brought under control of intellect. Vision is sharpened by focusing upon floor, where head will prostrate. Muscles of upper and lower back are loosened. Higher and lower centers of brain are united to form singleness of purpose.”

Qiyām – during which one recites Al-Fatiha and additional surahs of the Qur’an

“Extends concentration, causes further relaxation of legs and back, generates feelings of humility, modesty, and piety. In the recital of the above verses, virtually all of the sounds that occur in Arabic are uttered, stimulating dispersal of all of the ninety-nine divine attributes in perfectly controlled degrees throughout the body, mind, and soul. The sound vibrations of the long vowels ā, ī, and ū stimulate the heart, thyroid, pineal gland, pituitary, adrenal glands, and lungs, purifying and uplifting them all.”

Rukū – bending at the waist

“Fully stretches the muscles of the lower back, thighs, and calves. Blood is pumped into upper torso. Tones muscles of stomach, abdomen, and kidneys. Over time, this posture improves the personality, generating sweet kindness and inner harmony.”

Qauma – rising from rukū

“The fresh blood moved up into torso in previous posture returns to its original state, carrying away toxins. Body regains relaxation and releases tension.”

Sajdah – prostration

“Knees forming a right angle allow stomach muscles to develop and prevents growth of flabbiness in midsection. Increases flow of blood into upper regions of body, especially the head (including eyes, ears, and nose) and lungs; allows mental toxins to be cleansed by blood. Maintains proper position of fetus in pregnant women. Reduces high blood pressure. Increases elasticity of joints. Annihilates egotism and vanity. Increases patience and reliance upon God. Increases spiritual stations and produces high psychic energy throughout body. This posture of supreme submission and humility is the essence of worship.”

Quūd – assuming the sitting position after sajdah

“For men, the heel of the right foot is curled up and the weight of the leg and part of the body rests upon it. This aids detoxification of the liver and stimulates peristaltic action of the large intestine. Women keep both feet, soles up, underneath their bodies. The body returns to even greater relaxation, and the posture assists digestion by forcing the contents of the stomach downward.”

Repeat of Sajdah

“Repetition of the deep prostration within a few seconds cleanses the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems. Gives experience of lightness of body and emotional happiness. Oxygenation of entire body is accomplished. Balances sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.”

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