The Illuminated Prayer: The Five-Times Prayer of the Sufis

This slender book contains profound insights into the nature and essence of prayer. Based largely on the teachings of Shaikh Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (? -1986), a Sufi Shaikh from Sri Lanka who lived and taught from Philadelphia for the last 15 years of his life.... While written in the context of Muslim prayers, it's relevant to prayer in all religions. It is also an excellent guide to salat - ritual prayer in Islam.The book explains in detail (with pictures) the various steps in salat. But more than that it relates the times of prayer and steps within prayer to spiritual development and awareness. And it is here that the real value of the book comes forth. Using this as a base, the authors then describe a meditative prayer exercise - similar to Vedic "follow the breath" meditations.In short this is not an academic description of prayer or theory but an invitation to readers to embark on the path.The only negative - and this is a very very minor quibble - is with some of the transliterations of Arabic and grammatical comments.

This is an incredible witness and gift...inviting me through movement, word, sight, and heart to the Creative One. Open to the Beauty, Peace, and Light reflected within its pages....!The movements and words of the Prayer are lovingly outlined, explained and shown in a manner accessible to seekers. Heart wisdom of the ages is evident within the choices of poetry and teachings of such servants as Mevlana and Bawa. Additionally, the contemporary artistic expression and design further intimates the timelessness of a prayerful response to the Divine Mystery.This selection offers a worthy remembrance and gift to others taking their next steps along a spiritual path, be it shahada, bayat, or re-affirmation. It points to one's direct experience of the Divine.

The is a beautiful book, beautifully illustrated and written. Each time I pick it up it is a feast for the mind and spirit. It is all encompassing and will appeal to people from any background.

I was deeply impressed by the depth and poignant nature of this ecumenical work. This wonderful book embraces, lovingly, the essential truths of prayer and meditation found within all religions and also outside of religious traditions. I was especially moved by the powerful quotes from Sufi Sage Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a towering giant among Masters of Wisdom. Both Green and Barks are to be congratulated for their uncompromising clarity and depth. Whether you believe in a particular religious path, God, Allah, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, the Tao is not at issue here. The core of the material presented concerns the everlasting benefits of prayer regardless of ones religious leanings. Prayer ultimately guides one to that 'open space' where all religions, all truths merge into One. I cannot say enough about the exalted content of this gem!

This is definitely one of the best books on Salat that I have ever seen. I read it cover to cover without setting it down. Barks and Green have put together some of the most beautiful images with some of the most beautiful words and come through keeping all the sacredness of the prayers. They cover all the essentials of the Muslim prayers, explaining in very accessible terms the hows of what to do. But more than that, they also make the prayer palpable to even those that may never have done it. By combining art and the poetry of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi they create the atmosphere of the connection with God that one feels during the deepest salat. I think that almost anyone, after reading this book will at least want to try out salat for a few days. Maybe even make a strong comitment to doing it for a long time. But even if not, after reading this book, more people will understand the heart of Islam, the prayer we repeat at least 5 times every day and what really is going on inside, what depth of feeling is during this prayer.Recomended without reservation to anyone.