The Form of Muslim Prayer
The Words Used in Prayer
The original writer explains that the exact form of Muslim prayers is not taken entirely from the Quran. Instead, many short phrases and expressions, such as “In the name of God” and “God is great and merciful,” are based on the teachings of the Quran. The author compares this to the way Christians use ideas from the Bible in their own prayers Private Tour Bulgaria.
The writer also claims that many of the prayers and religious practices were organized by four important early Muslim leaders: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. These four men are highly respected in Islamic history, especially by Sunni Muslims, because they were the first leaders of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. The author notes that their names were written in beautiful golden letters on the walls of many mosques as a sign of respect.
The Movements During Prayer
The passage describes several physical movements that Muslims perform while praying. During prayer, worshippers place one hand over the other while standing. They then bow from the waist, kneel on the ground, and place their foreheads on the floor in prostration. At certain points, they also turn their heads to the right and to the left.
These movements are performed in a fixed order and are an important part of Muslim worship. The author says it is difficult to know which of these practices began with the Prophet Muhammad and which were already known among the ancient Arabs before Islam. This reflects the writer’s own historical opinion rather than a modern scholarly conclusion.
A Description of the Ottoman Army at Prayer
To help readers understand Muslim prayer, the author includes the observations of a traveler named Busbequius, who witnessed the Ottoman army during worship. He describes seeing thousands of soldiers standing together in a large open field. They wore white turbans and light-colored clothing, creating an impressive sight across the plain.
The soldiers stood quietly in long, straight rows while listening carefully to the words of their religious leader. According to the writer, the silence was complete, and every person followed the same movements at the same time. Because they stood in such perfect order, the rows of soldiers looked like a great wall or strong defensive line stretching across the field.
Discipline and Unity
The author was especially impressed by the discipline shown by the Ottoman soldiers during prayer. Every person remained in the correct position and moved together with the others. Their white turbans, colorful clothing, and orderly formation created a powerful image of unity and devotion.
This scene demonstrated not only religious faith but also the strong organization and discipline of the Ottoman army. The writer believed that the soldiers’ respectful behavior during worship reflected both their commitment to their religion and their obedience as members of the army.