Comments on: Five Times a Day

By: Drima

Drima — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 08:05:51 +0000

“Hey, I’m an atheist, and I’m a huge fan of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.”

Well I guess Mr. Spanish is not alone then.

By: Esra'a

Esra'a — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 22:41:30 +0000

We have some Baha’i prayers too in Persian and Arabic that are really nice to hear.

I really, really love the Baha'i chorale here (look at the audio selections on the right hand side.)

By: Finnpundit

Finnpundit — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 21:37:19 +0000

I find it amusing and amazing at the same time that an atheist can enjoy listening to Koranic recital.

Hey, I’m an atheist, and I’m a huge fan of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Don’t know what the hell he’s singing about, but it doesn’t matter.

By: Omid

Omid — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 19:57:38 +0000

I too find Arabic chants…enchanting. The Quran is proof enough that it is divine. The really gifted chanters are amazing. We have some Baha’i prayers too in Persian and Arabic that are really nice to hear. I tried learning how to chant but I gave up…my voice was just not up to it.

By: Drima

Drima — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:12:01 +0000

Yaaay, thanks Esra’a

“I think it would be disrespectful to “sing” the Koran”

As a Muslim, I believe that Koranic recital is a form of music and singing, the most beautiful there is because the words are Divine. It’s such a huge difference when the Imam recites the Koran without tajweed (i.e. “musically”). It doesn’t feel as calming and nice.

My brother has an atheist Spanish friend he’s known for more than 10 years. We consider him as family. The guy used to spend a lot of time in our home during visits.

One day during the early years we discovered he likes listening to Koranic recital, something which surprised us. When we asked why, he said he thoroughly enjoys the calming effect of the “songs”.

I find it amusing and amazing at the same time that an atheist can enjoy listening to Koranic recital. He still does!

By: Esra'a

Esra'a — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:27:54 +0000

He had the ability to sing the Koran so beautifully,

You mean rhythmically reciting it… I think it would be disrespectful to “sing” the Koran Though hadiths and stories of the Prophet are often sung, especially in “nasheedas” or “mawlids.”

Great article Drima. I definitely agree with you that it’s so soothing. People can never understand how a Muslim feels like when he or she prays, especially at a mosque. It’s so beautiful, that feeling of unity and respect when you’re there… and you pray together, like there is no difference at all between you and the people next you, everyone is treated equally and with much love and appreciation. It’s those days that I am most proud to be a Muslim, and pity those who don’t understand how this feels… to dismiss the religion as bullshit without considering how amazing it makes a follower feel, when “practiced right” as you say. People simply don’t understand this.