Why the heck do Muslims need a prayer mat to pray and why so often?

Question

I am concerned at the need to pray so often unless you have done alot wrong OR lost

Thankyou for telling me I'm not taking the piss but to understand another religion WE DO NEED TO KNOW and all those stupid replies 'let it be' etc are the reason for suspicion thro a lack of knowledge and understanding!

Answer 1

Muslims don't always need a prayer mat to pray. A sick person can pray even while sitting on a chair or lying down. A mat is used only because we have to sit on the floor and touch our forehead and nose to the ground, and if we cannot be sure that the floor is clean, we need a mat.
As for praying 5 times a day...Islam is not just a religion, it is a way of life. You cannot separate your personal life from Islam. We do not have specific days set aside when we go to the mosque or remember Allah. We do it every moment of the day and the paryers help us to be steadfast and be strong in faith. There are so many things in our lives that can easily take us away from Islam but these prayers keep reminding us that whatever we do, we are muslims. I think Islam is not an easy religion to follow and so we need to ask Allah frequently to keep us on the straight path.

Answer 2

The prayer mat is optional. It is just an easy way to make a space for prayer becuase it is usually cleaner than the ground. It's just for sanitary reasons becuase a Muslim is to be clean during prayers.
As for why so often: It just is the way we do it. Prayer is not something that should just be done once a week. If a man has God on his mind throughout the day, it will remind him not to sin (not saying that everyone that prays is kept from sin).
Prayer is not just petitions and asking for forgiveness. Praying is not making a deal with God. Praying is worshipping him and showing love for him. Why not do that throughout the day?
Hope I helped.

Answer 3

Why the heck do Muslims need a prayer mat to pray ?

The Muslim can pray even on the floor, the only condition it need to be clean , if it is outside than it need that the sun light reach it; thats all.

Why so often ? its an order from God to pray 5 times a day; at the time of the prayer, a Muslim is talking directly to God without any barrier (talking following the rules of Islam prayer)

Answer 4

I think an appropriate way to handle this question would be to ask a Christian why the heck we need bread and grape juice, why we need to dunk fellow believers in tubs of water, and why the heck we need to have oil put on our foreheads...

Each belief system has a set of traditions. As an Episcopalian, I am accustomed to seeing women celebrate Holy Communion, having real wine, and singing ALOT... Other Christians may have differing beliefs.

Remember not to paint all Muslims with the same brush, as they do not ALL need mats and they do not ALL pray five times per day. I would also bear in mind that there is something humbling about a faith that asks its followers for such dedication. We should all strive for a relationship with God that requires such constant communication, meditation, and reflection.

Answer 5

there are two types of prayers

the five daily prayers are the ones you see with the prayer mat (but as other people have answered that is just because it is easier to know it is clean). These are "checking in" prayers if you like - they are ritualistic and said in arabic and are to check in with God and make time for Him during our normal day (the times roughly work at as when you wake up / lunchtime / after work / early evening / before bed.


The other type of prayer is called dua in arabic. These are the prayers when we can say anything to God in whatever language we like and whenever we want. For example a muslim might make dua to ask God to keep them safe before a long journey and then say thank-you afterwards like a christian would. These prayers don't need a prayer mat and you don't need to be specially clean - it is about always being in contact with God and remembering Him.

The 5 daily prayers are often likened to washing in a stream. If you wash in a clear stream 5 times a day you are going to be very clean aren't you! if you pray for guidance and forgiveness 5 times a day taking time out to be calm and thoughtful you are going to be 'cleaner' and calmer inside than if you leave it till the end of the day.




ps. I don;t think it is a silly or offensive question :) it is better to ask than to assume and make ignorant comments.

Answer 6

For the ritual prayer (salah) it is not a requirement but just a means of ensuring that the place of prayer is clean. What the Christians would call prayer (dua) can be said at any time and any place.

The creator of the heavens and earth does not need our prayers. They are for our benefit and a reminder for us. It is easy to get wrapped up in the life of this world and forget how temporary it is.

Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the humble-minded,
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #45)

O ye who believe! When the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. That is better for you if ye did but know.
( سورة الجمعة , Al-Jumua, Chapter #62, Verse #9)

And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah's bounty, and remember Allah much, that ye may be successful.
( سورة الجمعة , Al-Jumua, Chapter #62, Verse #10)

Answer 7

I suppose prayer mats are more comfortable than rocks.
But even Christians say to pray always, without ceasing.There is nothing wrong with that. This world would be a much better place if everyone DID pray more.

Answer 8

When we pray to God we do it clean, we wash our clothes have to be clean and we use a prayer rug as it is also clean they are not walked on or left on the floor after pray. So when we are on the floor praying we know the floor (rug) is clean to. When we pray 5 times a day its because that's how many times God said to pray. When we pray we are praising god and giving thanks...its not a case of we have "done alot wrong" its not confession....... It is obligatory 5 prays a day for ever Muslim.

Answer 9

Because it is written as they say in religious circles. I am not a religious person and must admit no a great fan of Muslims at the moment, But you will find most religions have some sort of rule that the others do not or will not understand, that is why they are always fighting,

It is in the Koran that a good Muslim must pray 5 times a day and they always do it with a mat.

The Jews have a sort of shawl, when they pray and some of them even stand in front of a wall and howl, I don't know why.

The Sikhs I believe have7 hells to go through if they don't pray.

The Catholics have to confess all of there dirty washing to a Priest who hides in a box, and they pretend to eat their Savior by eating bits of bread in their church, oh and they are always playing with a string of beads ( like the Muslims )

As for the protestants well I think that most of them have forgot why they go,

But one thing they all have in common is that ALL of their spiritual LEADERS wear FUNNY HATS

Answer 10

So that we can meet our God five times a day... n we dont pray for the reason that we have done something wrong....we pray to praise our God n just love to meet Him soo often a day.

prayer mat is used because we need to offer on a clean place so its prefferable to offer it on prayermat..for cleanleness purpose simply ...