On the symbolism of Islamic prayer: from devotion to human dignity

Nothing was there, yet He was there. The One, the only One, the Self-existent. He possessed all qualities in perfection. Marveling at the fact of His existence, man bows down in prayer. Out of pure mercy, He created the world. So what reason is there not to prostrate himself in love and reverence before Him? Whoever humbles himself before Him will be exalted in this world. Humbleing oneself before Him is not a humiliation, but a tremendous honor. The Islamic prayer ritual revolves around this idea. For 1,400 years, it has united people on every continent. It has them standing row upon row in concentric circles around the Ka'bah. The more people become aware of the symbolism of prayer, the more their view of the world changes. Dignified behavior toward oneself and one's fellow human beings should be the result if the message of prayer is internalized. This book aims to contribute to reflecting on the symbolic connections between the acts of prayer, human self-understanding, and human dignity.