QUESTION

While conversing with a Maulvi Sahib, there was a mention that Revelation is the Quran alone; other than that there is no Revelation. He then said, “If you are a renounced of the Hidden Revelation (i.e. the non-recited revelation), then tell me, ‘Where is the mention of 5 times prayer in the Quran?’”

He further told, “The Messenger (S) had fixed these timings on the basis of the Hidden Revelation.”

ANSWER

We will explain later on as to what has been written about prayer – Namaaz – in the Quran. For the time being you just see the qualitative aspect of this Revelation on the basis of which the 5 times prayer - Namaaz – was made obligatory. It is written in the Bukhari that the prayers were made bounden duty in the Messenger’s night journey (Shab-e-Mairaaj). Its detail, in the words of the Bukhari itself, is reproduced:

HOW PRAYERS WERE MADE BOUNDEN DUTY

Ans bin Malik says that the Messenger (S) said:

Allah had fixed 50 prayers for my Ummah. But on my journey (back), I happened to pass by Moses (pbuh). He enquired, “What has Allah made obligatory for your Ummah?” I said, “50 prayers”. He said, “Go back to your Nourisher because your Ummah will have no bearing for it.” I returned and got its number reduced from my Nourisher. Then Allah (TWT) eliminated half of its number. When I returned to Moses (pbuh), I said to him, “Half of the prayers have been eliminated.” He then said, “Go back again to your Nourisher. Your Ummah would even have no bearing for it.” I got it further decreased from God. God pronounced, “5 prayers are kept obligatory and these are equal to 50 in Sawaab. There is no change in Our pronouncement.” After that when I returned to Moses (pbuh), he said, “Go back again to your Nourisher now.” I said, “Now I feel ashamed of my Nourisher.” (Bukhaari, Kitaab-us-Salaat)

You saw, “How were the 5 times prayers made bounden duty?” - Allah, the authority issuing the Order and His Messenger (S), the Herald bringing this Order to the Ummah –. God issued Order for fifty prayers and the Messenger of Allah (S) came straightforward with this Order. Neither God felt it as to how an impossible Order He is issued (God forbid), nor the Messenger of Allah (S) envisioned as to how his Ummah would comply with this Order. If anyone who felt the pinch of this Order, it was Hazrat Moses (pbuh) alone. On his reminder, the Messenger (S) thought whatever he reminds is true. So he (S) returned; Allah (TWT) also felt its pinch that something oppressive had been issued through the Order. Hence, all the half of the prayers – all together – were abated, neither one nor two. God grasped: Now the Order is appropriate. And the Messenger of the Allah (S) became satisfied as well. But it was Hazrat Moses (pbuh) who said again: This number is still more (than the desired). On hearing from him, the Messenger of Allah (S) again paid visit to Him. God again felt the pinch of the oppression of His Order; then there remained five prayers out of 25. Being satisfied the Messenger (S) came back. But Hazrat Moses (pbuh) said once again: The number is still greater. On hearing this, the Messenger (S) did not say, “No, I understand the Order is correct now.” But what he said is (whatever you say is correct, but what am I to do?) I feel ashamed in going to Him anon, so whatever is done, is done forever.

You saw: How were the fortified orders of Deen used to be determined? All we’ll give vent to our feelings is: think cool-mindedly any time that whenever such type of things come by to the non-Muslims how derisively they would not envision of our Allah and the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). This tradition makes it clear that some Jew has coined it so that the superiority of Hazrat Moses (pbuh) be proved and the Muslims be told that (God forbid) “this is the real merit of your Messenger (S) in the eyes of our Apostle.” But the complaint against this Jew is of no use. This was what he had to do. Ask the Muslims who hold these matters clandestinely very close to their hearts and whenever any one makes them divert their attention to it, they erupt with nabbing and grabbing splash over him.

But these matters can no longer continue any more. These matters, if the Muslims remained stuck deep to in the same way, will crush them like the millstone and then will replace them with a nation that will lead the entire humanity on a balanced path in the light of the Quran’s candle of guidance.

Any-how, this is the model of this “Hidden Revelation” on the basis of which and according to what our Maulvis say, those injunctions the mention of which is not found in ‘ non-recited Revelation ’ (the Quran) were used to be determined.

(1953)