Prayer Question

[Ladyjinx]

In the muslim faith are prayers always done in a certain way?
Or If you just want to "talk " to God
or Pray for strenght to do somthing or ask for help with somthing can you just pray any way you want?
example of what i mean ..say your by yourself looking at some beautiful scenery and just feel like praying just to talk to God. Could you just pray?

[Ali al-Mahdi]

The five daily prayers are "ritual" prayers (Salat) - they are done a certain way.
http://www.playandlearn.org/reader.asp?Type=Fiqh&fn=114

http://madressa.net/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=4

You can also say extra prayers besides your obligatory prayers. These are called Nawafel Salat. You can do these whenever.

Doaa are personal supplications to God. You can ask for help, for health... whatever! :)

(Note: I've had to edit all these links... they were messed up in the transfer!

[Hashman]

God is always listening...so aside from salat and dua, which AliMahdi mentioned, you can also just pour your heart out anytime and anywhere you want. That's not a substitute for salat/dua, but it's still another channel to help you attain nearness to Him.

[the1]

In addition, Islam holds prayers in very high regard. It is one of the five pillars of Islam (along ith the declaration of one god and his messenger, fasting in ramadan, paying zakat and performing the hajj pilgrimage).

We also believe that:

Prayer is the foundation of religion;
Whom so ever erects it, has erected the religion
And whom so ever destroys it, has destroyed the religion

[Ladyjinx]

Thank you all for answering
You see i have had very little religous training of anykind , know no "real" prayers and generally just make mine up or talk to God whenever i feel like doing so.
i was just curious if you can still do this or have to follow a procedure type thing to pray.
Thank you all.

[cyounus]

There is a book but I can not remember the name. I will try to find it. It is a book of prayers. Everything from daily prayers to funnerals. I used to use it all the time.

[Ladyjinx]

Thank you cyounus

[Laayla]

Doaa are personal supplications to God. You can ask for help, for health... whatever! :)

Just to add what brother 3li said, the site below is one of the most comprehensive sites of supplications. It contains almost any supplication you can think of.

http://www.duas.org/

One of the most popular duas recited is Dua Komail. It is recited every Thursday night.

Also there are supplications called the 'whispered prayers.' I'll just share a few examples.

1 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Repenters
2 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Complainers
3 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Fearful
4 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Hopeful
5 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Beseechers
6 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Thankful
7 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Obedient toward God
8 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Devotees
9 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Lovers
10 . . The Whispered Prayer of those Asking for Mediation
11 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Utterly Poor
12 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Knowers
13 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Rememberers
14 . . The Whispered Prayer of Those who Hold Fast
15 . . The Whispered Prayer of the Abstainers

There is a book but I can not remember the name. I will try to find it. It is a book of prayers. Everything from daily prayers to funnerals. I used to use it all the time.

Are you referring to "Mafatee7 al Jeenan," The Keys to Paradise?

[Ladyjinx]

Thank you Laayla, and everyone.
What if you just feel like talking to God (as in letter form) like "Dear God................." As a prayer? Or discussion?
Can you do this or do you think it counts? Or must it be a scripted prayer? (I talk to God all the time, and i'm sure he hears me......prob wishes i would hush some times lol. But would it count as a prayer?)

[Hashman]

Thank you Laayla, and everyone.
What if you just feel like talking to God (as in letter form) like "Dear God................." As a prayer? Or discussion?
Can you do this or do you think it counts? Or must it be a scripted prayer? (I talk to God all the time, and i'm sure he hears me......prob wishes i would hush some times lol. But would it count as a prayer?)
See post #3 above. :)

[Ladyjinx]

LOL thank you Hashman , i'm such a ditz :blush:

[cyounus]

Thank you Laayla, and everyone.
What if you just feel like talking to God (as in letter form) like "Dear God................." As a prayer? Or discussion?
Can you do this or do you think it counts? Or must it be a scripted prayer? (I talk to God all the time, and i'm sure he hears me......prob wishes i would hush some times lol. But would it count as a prayer?)

It's not counted as one of the five dailies but Lady, you can talk to God as much and as often as you want to. And He prob. wishes I would shut up too some times.:yay1:

[STella668]

Count as a prayer? I'm not sure what that means, since I know of no belief that gives you credits..... But this raises for me the question whether there's a suggestion similar to the xian one, to "pray without ceasing".

[Nadirah]

Count as a prayer? I'm not sure what that means, since I know of no belief that gives you credits..... But this raises for me the question whether there's a suggestion similar to the xian one, to "pray without ceasing".

As a Muslim, we have five obligatory prayers that we must perform every day without fail - they are performed in a certain way, and they "count" in that way. But as you and Jinx are saying, our goal is to stay in remembrance of God during as many thoughts, actions, deeds, prayers that we are able to each day. And, Jinx, nature does bring me to an awareness and closeness to God that does inspire in me moments of prayer...and discussions are quite frequent! :hearts: :helpsign:

[Kay]

Like Nadirah and Jinx, the things in nature remind me of God, and during those times, I'm in a mode of inner praise for what He has created.
There are other times when I'm talking to Him; 'praying without ceasing'.
I don't think God gets tired of us talking to Him. I believe when we do, it pleases Him.

[Nadirah]

Like Nadirah and Jinx, the things in nature remind me of God, and during those times, I'm in a mode of inner praise for what He has created.
There are other times when I'm talking to Him; 'praying without ceasing'.
I don't think God gets tired of us talking to Him. I believe when we do, it pleases Him.

This is what is so wonderfully special about this board - if I am feeling sad or down, you all inspire me and help me get right back on track! God is very kind! You remind me of God's wondrous and beautiful creation...:sunny:

And, if that wasn't enough, Ski and Debookwrm and Kaysar give me hope for the current and future generations...May God bless you all... :hearts: