Attention Qur'an only Muslims: The Qur'an says to pray THRRE times (not five times) per day!

Submitted by dhimmi no more, Sep 25, 2018 at 11:40

Dr Pipes,

I realize that many Muslims, more so from India and Pakistan, are now "Qur'an only" Muslims. The reason is many a hadith are really embarrassing, bizarre and silly.

In Q11:114 it says:

وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ

This can be rendered as: And perform the praying in the ends of the day and Zulfa (I left this word untranslated because it does not have a clear meaning and see below) from the night

So the Quran is really saying that Muslims must pray twice during the day hours and once at night for a total of three not five prayers per day

Here is what Ibn Kathir tells us

ابن عباس : ( وأقم الصلاة طرفي النهار ) قال : يعني الصبح والمغرب

This is according to the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (the cousin of Muhammad): And perform the praying twice during the day hours means: Early Morning and Before Sun Set

So we have two prayers so far

Then Ibn Kathir says that the word زلفا (that I left untranslated) means أثناء or during! Therefore

وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ

Can be rendered as: And during the night.

Therefore, the Qur'an says that there are three prayers, not five, one in early morning, the second before sunset and the third at night

So what was the way out? Ibn Kathir does not know and he says:

وقد يحتمل أن تكون هذه الآية نزلت قبل فرض الصلوات الخمس ليلة الإسراء

This can be rendered as: And it is possible that this verse was revealed before the order (by Allah that Muslims) pray five times per day (in Chapter) Surat al-Isra'!

However, you will not find any mention of praying 5 times in Surat al-Isra' The five prayers per day is external to the Qur'an!

So dear Qur'an only Muslims: Any comments?

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