Title:
The Meaning of the Word "Sala'h"
Question:
Could you please define the word "salat"
or "salaat".
I would like to know what it means in
Arabic and then translated to English.
Thank you kindly...
Answer:
Ibn Al-Atheer
in his highly acknowledged dictionary of the Arabic language, 'Al-Nihaayah
fi Ghareeb al-Athar' has explained "Sala'h"
as follows:
'Al-Sala'h'
and 'Al-Salawaat': used for
a particular kind of worship. Its literal origin is supplication (prayer).
Sometimes, 'Sala'h' is
referred to by mentioning any one or more of its parts. It is also said that
the literal origin of the word is 'to glorify' and the particular worship
is called 'Sala'h', because it entails the glorification of the
Lord.
I hope
this would help.
May
19, 2001