Why do Submitters who pray only 3 times a day?

Question

This is by no means an attack on Submitters, but a genuine inquiry.

While I don't agree with their rejection of Sunnah and Hadeeth, I understand that Submitters reject them in their understanding of Islam.

However, since the Qur'an is clear that prayers are to be offered 5 times a day, why do Submitters pray only 3 times a day?

[24:59] - ...before the Morning Prayer, and when you lay aside your clothes at noon (in summer) and after the night Prayer.

I.E. Fajr and Isha prayers are specified. (Fajr = morning, Isha = night)

[2:239] Watch over prayers, and particularly the middle Prayer, and stand before Allah submissively.

I.E. Zuhr prayer is specified. (Zuhr = middle)

[17:79] Observe Prayer from the declining and paling of the sun till the darkness of the night,

I.E. Asr and Maghrib Prayers are specified (Declining = Asr, Paling = Maghrib)

So if all 5 prayers are spelled out at different times, why do Submitters still only pray 3 times a day? Jazakallah

love for all, hatred for none

Answer 1

Here I go copying and pasting my answers, again...

First, let's have a look at Surah 20, Verse 130:

فاصبر على مايقولون وسبح بحمد ربك قبل طلوع الشمس وقبل غروبها ومن اناء الليل فسبح واطراف النهار لعلك ترضى

Instead of me giving my own interpretation and translation of the Quran, I will cite them from a few sources in which I agree with the overall translation:

Yusuf Ali: Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord, before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy.

Pickthal: Therefor (O Muhammad), bear with what they say, and celebrate the praise of thy Lord ere the rising of the sun and ere the going down thereof. And glorify Him some hours of the night and at the two ends of the day, that thou mayst find acceptance.

Hilali/Khan: So bear patiently (O Muhammad SAW) what they say, and glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and during some of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day (an indication for the five compulsory congregational prayers), that you may become pleased with the reward which Allah shall give you.

Clearly, there are five distinct times which are mentioned in this one verse, according to the three major translations of the Quran:

1. "before the rising of the sun"

2. "before the setting of the sun"

3. "some hours of the night"

4. "the sides/two ends of the day (two separate prayers)"

The specified prayers are those listed below:

1. Salaat Al-Fajr (صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ) - Dawn Prayer / 24:58

2. Salaat Jumu’ah (صَلَاةِ جمعة ِ) - Friday Prayer / Salat Al-Thuhr on other days (decline of the sun)

3. Al-Salaat Al-Wusta (الصَّلاَةِ الْوُسْطَى) - Middle Prayer / 2:238

4. Salaat Al-Maghrib - Sunset Prayer

Assalaata Ledulooki Ash-shamsi Ela Ghasaqi Al-layl

- الصَّلاَةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ

- at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night / 17:78

The sun is at it's highest peak typically in the noon (depending on the month) between 12-1 pm (Pacific Time). The decline of the sun begins right after 12-1 and that is the same time Thuhr is prayed. In this verse, all prayers from Thuhr (decline of the sun), Asr (Middle prayer), Maghrib (end of the day), and Isha (night prayer) are included.

Tarafayi Annahaari Wazulafam Min Allayl

- طرفي النهار وزلفا من الليل

- at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night / 11:114

(Maghrib marks the end of the day).

5. Salat Al-Ishaa (صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ) - Night Prayer / 24:58

There are clearly 5 different prayers mention in the first verse I provided. Regardless of Hadiths, for those "Submitters", you owe quite a bit of prayers. The Hadiths are not meant to replace the Quran, rather elaborate on it. You'll have to look very hard within verses to find things you don't even believe exists.

The answer is simple, assumptions are made when no proof is found. If they don't see anything about Salat Al-Thuhr, they'll simply assume it doesn't exist. The Quran isn't a book where you just skim through, it requires a lot of examining and reading between the lines. Look hard enough, and you'll be surprised at what you find.

Take care brother =]