QUR’AN DOES NOT REPORT THE NUMBERS OF UNITS (RAK’AS) IN ANY CONTACT PRAYER (SALAT) WHY?
ANSWER: Because the number of Rak’aas in each prayer was never disputed. The number of Rak’aas is universally known since the time of Abraham, and unanimously agreed upon; there are no disputes whatsoever regarding the number of Rak’aas in the five daily contact prayers.
The five times for observing the five contact prayers (Salat) are reported in Qur’an [see 11:114 (morning, sunset, & night prayers), 17:78 (noon prayer), 24:58 (morning and night prayers mentioned by name), and 2:238 (afternoon)]. Also, the positions to be assumed during contact prayers are mentioned throughout Qur’an, namely, the standing position, the bowing position (Ruku’), and the prostration position (Sujood).
As for the number of Rak’aas, they have been universally recognized since the time of Abraham, the founder of Islam (see Qur’an 2:135, 3:67,95, 4:125, 6:161, 16:123, and 22:78).
Only the practices that underwent change, distortion, or disputation are reported in Qur’an. For example, the ablution (Wuduu’) has undergone serious distortions. This is why we find it stated in Qur’an 5:6 as four steps, and no more than four steps. Also, the tone of voice during contact prayers has undergone serious alterations, and we find it reported in Qur’an in 17:110; We are commanded to use a moderate tone and never to say our Salats secretly.
When fasting was decreed through Abraham, sexual intercourse was forbidden throughout the month of Ramadan. This commandment was modified in Qur’an to permit intercourse during the night of fasting (see Qur’an 2:187).
Since the number of Rak’aas was never disputed, why should the Qur’an deal with it? If you are sitting down, why should I ask you to sit down? You are already sitting down!
Additionally, the number of Rak’aas in each prayer is confirmed as part and parcel of the Qur’an’s miraculous mathematical composition. Thus, the number of Rak’aas in the morning, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night prayers is 2, 4, 4, 3, & 4, respectively. This number, when written 24434 is a multiple of 19. This confirms the divine source and preservation of the number of Rak’aas in each contact prayer.
By: Rashad Khalifa as Editor of Muslim Perspective, June, 1986
See also: