Inspiration and Spirituality
NEW Pics! No Excuse From Prayer (Scuba Diver Prays Under Water)
So, what’s your excuse?
The hardest time I have praying is when I have gone skiing (snow-skiing), wearing those boots that don’t really flex at all, and you pretty much have to fall down into your sajdah. In fact, I was skiing this weekend and found a nice spot behind a cabin. Its an interesting feeling doing sajdah in a couple of feet of snow. By the way, I think I remember Sh. Waleed (who loves to scuba-dive) telling me that he too had prayed under water once.
What was your hardest or most interesting prayer occasion? Inspire us!
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More pictures below the sleeve
Other amazing pics (courtesy UmA’s finds):
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Reem
March 4, 2008 at 10:31 AM
so thats why you wanted me to forward the email with these pictures to you :)
Samir
March 4, 2008 at 11:09 AM
MashAllah thats so cool I dunno what to say…
I didn’t know Sheikh Waleed loved scuba diving?
First one to pray while skydiving and posts a photo gets some chocolate.
My only highlight was praying behind Tommy Hilfiger because I couldn’t find another space, and this was on boxing day so the entire crowd and cars are just gawking at me. Muhahahahha Mad Dawah.
Maybe I should try praying in weightlifting shoes…?
Amad
March 4, 2008 at 11:42 AM
salam Samir. Thats pretty gutsy too… praying right in front of everyone. Good job.
I just got a confirmation email from Sh. Waleed that indeed he did pray under water, and that he is actually a licensed/qualified scuba-diver now. He highly recommends it to witness the beauty of nature like you have never seen before.
P.S. Yes Reemo, thank you for sending me these pics.
iMuslim
March 4, 2008 at 12:26 PM
One question… what happens if one breaks their wudhu under water? :P
Amad
March 4, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Obviously you can’t do tayammum, so since the scuba eqpt is water proof, u’ll have to take it off and do wudhu. Or simply take the gear off and jump into the water with the intention of ghusl!
sister
March 4, 2008 at 1:01 PM
salams, once my bro stayed in a really tiny motel room of one of our relatives and because they had so much stuff all over the floor he had no where else to pray, except on the bed lol! according to sh fawzan it’s permissible as long as it’s not “floating” too much lol
Imtiaz
March 4, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Jazzak Allah khair for this…however,
Ok, I am looking at this picture, the question is, was it necessary for him to pray underwater ?
Was the time for that particular prayer expiring or did he do this as an example ?
Just curious I suppose…
MR
March 4, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Wow that’s amazing! MashaAllah!
Amad
March 4, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Imtiaz: when its time to pray, its time to pray. Also realize that once you are in the gear and you are in the water, it isn’t easy or sometimes possible to come out.
So, you can’t miss prayers.
Also, I don’t see why you wouldn’t? I mean I would actually want to try it once. It would be a different feeling, making sujood to your Lord surrounded by water and its creatures.
SH
March 4, 2008 at 2:36 PM
I agree with Sh. Waleed to pray in nature…is a totally different experience. My most interesting prayer was at Yosemite national park ..my parents suggested we pray in the car because there were people out there BUT I wanted to pray where all the trees were and and where I was surrounded by the beauty created by Allah SWT ….and I did…it was an awesome experience alhamdullilah to pray in such a beautiful place really makes you thankful to the one who created the beauty and gives you an eman rush that is unforgettable!!! alhamdullilah.
Imtiaz
March 4, 2008 at 2:37 PM
JazzakAllah Khair for the response, I guess it was…
MashAllah, Imagine praying in orbit or on the moon ?
Jaded Pinkett
March 4, 2008 at 2:56 PM
iMuslim: [ One question… what happens if one breaks their wudhu under water? ]
Bubbles…
Kemal
March 4, 2008 at 3:30 PM
I just love my muslim brothers. That is all I have to say. Selam-Aleikum.
AnonyMouse
March 4, 2008 at 3:37 PM
I’ve never prayed anywhere as interesting as underwater, but my family and I HAVE prayed in public many times… in the park, on the beach, in parking lots, in the woods… lots of cool places, al-Hamdulillah!
It’s hilarious to see the looks we get :D
Amad
March 4, 2008 at 3:52 PM
hilarious. i am glad you assumed the least harmful way to break it, not to mention the environmental impact to the poor fishes.
abdul nasir
March 4, 2008 at 4:28 PM
I was in central america and we were at the top of a very high mountain (if I recall correctly it was called the mountain of death by the locals) and we literally performed Salaat in the clouds. Alhamdulillah, a great experience.
saad
March 4, 2008 at 4:32 PM
wow mashallah….
that’s as real as it gets.
He would be a double shaheed if he died in the water.
Reem
March 4, 2008 at 4:32 PM
what if the sharks eat you while your praying, or what if a whale swallows you or what if jelly fish sting you or what if fish annoy you or what if hammer head shark hammers you to the sand??? :)
Abdul Sattar
March 4, 2008 at 4:34 PM
salaam,
you guys are hilarious.
First I started cracking up when I saw the pictures because they were just so out of the ordinary and then I started laughing at the comments – especially “bubbles…”
This was a fresh breath of air today alhamdulillah.
Take care guys,
wa alaikum assalam
Abdul Sattar
Siraaj Muhammad
March 4, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Is it possible to break your wudu while praying underwater =) I mean, sure, you could bubble bobble, theoretically, but then after that, it’s like, instant ghusl, just intend it and you’re done =)
Siraaj
Amad
March 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Nope siraj. Pls read my previous comment. Waterproof gear will not allow for instant ghusl!
Siraaj Muhammad
March 4, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Aww, come on man, we can just apply socks wudu fiqh, and presto! Instant ghusl!
Siraaj
Sunie
March 4, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Me and my friend were on Campus and couldn’t find a clean place to pray. So we laid out some newsprint. It turned out to be a bad idea, because we had black ink on our foreheads for hours and we didn’t even realize it. #:-)
Osman
March 4, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Where are his flippers? heheh . .
on a serious note, those who want to do that underwater shd beware of reef bottoms where there could be stonefish etc, or any other fishes with venomous spines. ppl have died from stepping on them.
sincethestorm
March 4, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Mine would be tahajjud prayers at the Big Bend National Park. There’s nothing like making wudu with ice cold water, praying under a carpet of stars, seeing the dew out in the horizon, and having the surround sound be crickets. Highly recommend prayers in the wilderness. You can’t get anymore in touch with nature.
not.my.real.id!
March 4, 2008 at 10:05 PM
prayed once in the underground cells of an Arab country national security cells. with a bunch of bros like me detained for no reason.. but we were put with all the crazy serious criminals, rapists, killers, (many were mentally ill) etc in a stuffy crowded room with no ventilation and dirty to beyond thought, we prayed on a stinking Allah knows how many years old scruffy dirty discusting blanket (wihch happened to be cleaner than the floor)
Yeah not so cool as praying around the trees in Free God Bless America, but still cool eh ? lol
Malik
March 4, 2008 at 10:14 PM
As an experienced diver I can tell you pulling that maneuver in even light SCUBA gear can buy you a quick ticket to paradise. Praying ain’t as important as your life and health.
Amad
March 4, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Interesting Malik. Shaykh Waleed, who I mentioned did this, didn’t mention any issues. So, in light of what you said, I recommend people ask their trainers/experts about it before trying it. Can’t jeapordize your life of course. Its not like you couldn’t schedule the scuba-diving around prayer times, or pray with actions that are scuba-safe!
To the rest: totally agree about praying in the nature. As a student, I travelled quite a bit, and there was nothing like giving adhan in the middle of the mountains and praying in the open.
So, “not my real id”, the arab prisons didn’t have 5-times jamah prayers ;) ??
UmA
March 4, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Anyone have those photos of the fisherman praying on deck during a rainstorm?
UmA
March 4, 2008 at 10:46 PM
I found some pics, but not exactly what I was looking for, see first post and scroll down for more:
http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143931
Amad
March 4, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Great UmA. So, I added the pics I thought were unique to this post, jak for the link.
The guy on snow and on the water are beautiful photos— the pristine environment and the person with the Lord… amazing.
I chuckled seeing the photo with the tablighi brothers (ok I am just guessing :) ) praying while a crowd gathered around to see the spectacle. Bet this was prior to 9/11. If it was today, this crowd wouldn’t be watching, they’d be going hysterical (remember the poor Imams on US Airways?). Also, the photo with the brothers praying in the aisle… the poor Sikh guy probably wants to go to the restroom or something and he is stuck! Probably could have chosen a better spot to pray!
Very cool.
AnonyMouse
March 4, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Oh! I just remembered what my absolutely favourite praying moment was – our Islamic summer camp! Waking up for Fajr, freezing our faces (and other body parts, after making wudhu) off, and keeping the rows reeeaaaaaalllyyyy “straight and tight” because everyone was huddling for warmth :D
Firas
March 5, 2008 at 12:51 AM
praying at a summer picnic in chicago is always interesting. specially maghrib and isha. during the salah you kill at least 5 mosquitoes and you wonder if your salah is valid when you kill animals?
aarij
March 5, 2008 at 1:09 AM
Praying in the computer labs is kinda fun too. Have done that a few times when an assignment deadline was close and there was no time to go to the designated prayer area.
not.my.real.id!
March 5, 2008 at 1:19 AM
bro Amad
we were detained for a short period, well alhamdullelah i made “contacts” (well short as in like 12 hours) some folks take it months! Well they were released the following morning.
we weren’t permitted to pray until a certain point so we had to combine prayers after being questioned etc.
but it seemed they prayed 5 times,, they even raised their voices loud for the “sisters”. or maybe criminal sisters lol whom also prayed behind us from another cell close by.
it was so devastating when i came out, but i think i enjoyed the experience to an extent, and the amount of khushoo3 and atmosphere establish by the bros was beyond content .
And its some what cool I think :P
khawla
March 5, 2008 at 6:46 AM
praying in dressing rooms of some department stores while shopping; praying in Incheon airport in Korea, well, very nice experience there, coz they have a properly designated prayer room for travellers with rugs and mushaf on the shelf…. which put US airports into shame!!!
Just a little comment:
Those diving suits/pants are skin tight. Would it be ok for men wearing exercise lycra too, incase prayer time happened to be in the middle of his routine?
abu ameerah
March 5, 2008 at 1:49 PM
awesome post! i must remember this post the next time i get the urge to pray under water, inshallah.
what i enjoyed most about this post is that thought (mental picture) of Amad skiing. i would definately like to see that.
amad, do you wear any spandex-type outfit when you ski? that would be so cool to see, mashallah.
i’m thinking about something like this:
http://p3.focus.de/img/gen/a/c/HBac8JoX_Pxgen_r_311xA.jpg
(i’m sure you leave your tongue inside your mouth when skiing down the bunny slope)
Amad
March 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
abu ameerah, so you don’t have to wear spandex… in fact thats one place you are well-covered… even most women are wearing hijab ;)
faisal
March 5, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Not too unique, but went hiking with my non-mulsim friend and his family on a vacation trip to Vermont in summer 2004… took us approx two hours to get to the top of the mountain (some 2500 feet)… AlhamduLillah, the view was excellent, we could look strait into Canada!
No way how how would i pass up an opportunity like that to pray and make dikr.. I’m gonna have a mountain testifying for me on the day of judgement :D!!!!!!!
Elzaharna
March 6, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I once prayed during jury duty while the jury was deciding the final verdict for a criminal case.
not as interesting as under water though!
AnonyMouse
March 6, 2008 at 4:09 PM
I beg of you all… please, don’t EVER wear spandex!!!
BTW, is salaah valid when you wear spandex anyway?
Faraz
March 6, 2008 at 4:49 PM
As a young, Muslim frequent flyer, I completely do not fit in with the other, old executive-types who frequent the executive lounges at airports. I often used to pray in those executive lounges, amid all the old white businessmen who didn’t think I belonged there. It was funny, pretty much everyone else was probably in their late 40’s or early 50’s, dressed in suits while sipping champagne, and I’m just some brown guy half their age with a thick beard and kufi; I loved not fitting in. :)
My favourite incident, however, was probably when we converted the university pub into a temporary Jumah space. It was right in the open, in the middle of the University Centre, and felt amazing to think that the kind of stuff that used to go on there has been replaced with qiyaam, sajdah, tilawah, etc.. we would often tell our friends that “we pray Jumah in a bar”.
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IbnAbbas
June 19, 2008 at 6:16 PM
some funny posts mashallah, especially the “bubbles” literally crack me up
If you are out in a shopping centre or nearby and its time to pray, then the best place to pray is the CHANGING ROOMS.
Alima
June 19, 2008 at 6:25 PM
OMG sooo i’m not the only one who prays in the changing rooms…lol…
Nothing is like in a breezy backyard and open sky…alHamdulillah.
cotton eye joe
July 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Praying outside is a sunnah. Ive only done it a couple of times though. Even though I am proud, I do not want my deen to be mocked.
Zaid Khan
August 3, 2008 at 5:55 AM
Hmm… Quite an interesting post and the best part is comments section.
Well, if I have to share my most interesting prayer than it would be zuhur prayer in an amusement park near the most popular ride. The kind of glares that you get is amazing. It strengthen one’s Iman to the core.
PS- I have also prayed @ metro station in New delhi with a secuirity guard keeping check on me.
Scuba Steve
August 11, 2008 at 11:00 AM
That is a really funny picture but does it count if your under water and floating?
Haman
August 11, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I just want to know how praying infront of people make you core stronger? To me it just seems like your trying to get everyone to look at you. i think we need to be more sensitive to non-muslims because they are freaked out by us and it looks like we are going to blow up the place like in an amusment park or in an airport. Its just not cool
Amad
August 11, 2008 at 3:21 PM
So, Haman, what do you suggest we do?
I was at a theme park last week… there was really no hideout to pray… so we found the least walked place and prayed there. But many people still walked past us, so it is not something you can avoid.
Amad
November 19, 2008 at 8:46 PM
By the way, the photos of the scuba-divers are not Shaykh Waleed!! Some people linked my comment that he did it too with him being in the photos! :)
Alima
November 19, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Sr Haman. My dear sister.
Why hide? Subhan’Allaah they should know that is our method of prayer, though I do see where you are coming from. does it amke you stronger, it made me stronger, cuz I got out my comfort zone and displayed my Islam openly without fear of anybody. I did what I had to do and I didn’t mean to… I just wanted to pray!
Recently we prayed in some wierd places.
A resturant when it hit Maghrib, we had nowhere to go! So the sisters just prayed, and it happened that the wondow was in the place of Qiblah. So you have people just looking in and your like, erm hellooo. Subhan’Allaah if you look at positively, now these people, when they see a muslim pray it won’t seem so strange… Maybe me praying helps another muslim.
On the grass beside Niaghra falls, the sisters prayed in Jammah. Once again nowhere else to pray. I have pics and you can’t see anyone… It’s cool.
In the guild at uni, subhan’Allah we happened to be walking past and salaah hit, so we had to pray. Me and a sister prayed and when we finished to our suprise, there are a group of brothers making jam’aah on the other side of the guild. Subhan’Allaah we had a shock and just went our way.
Praying in public, is not something you do… lol, it just happens and at times it’s an encouragment. I prefer the comfort of the prayer room!
Wa Allaahu alem.
Rehan
July 23, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Asslam Alaikum,
Five times prayers are Farad for all of us. and thats all. But if you travelling you could do Qasar(short with other prayers) of your Farad. can you tell me , what you could do when you were in water?
Jazak Allah Kherien
Waslam
Nada
July 24, 2009 at 9:01 AM
SubhanAllah! I totally agree with Sister Alima.. Praying in public helps us become more comfortable in expressing our beliefs in public and also educate non-muslims. If people around the globe see muslims perform prayers anywhere and everywhere, it will no more be a “weird” thing. Its pretty inspiring to non-muslims actually to see us pray when the time comes, no matter what the circumstances.
One of my non-muslim classmates in college, once asked me to make dua for her terminally ill cousin. She told me she thought “God will listen to you, as you always pray”!
Non-muslims should know this side of Islam also! Something as basic and regular as salah can be such an educational thing to watch for non-muslims.
I have one issue though, about praying in public. In Islam, women are supposed to find a secluded place to pray and should be mindful that there are no men watching. Its almost impossible to pray in public and not have people watch. So, I still feel uneasy to pray in public, because I think I’m ignoring one vital requirement of prayer. Any comments on this?
Mary
March 30, 2011 at 5:34 PM
I’m not a Muslim, in fact I’m a baptisted Christian, but God is great and to pray in his praise is to be done at all times.
We’ve recently started diving and every time we dive a pray goes up to him who is that Master of All, asking for his blessing and safety while diving.
The sea is one of his greatest gifts to us, and we should say thanks for what he has given us.
Crudos to the brother who prayed at the sea bottom:@)
Skweekeekto
March 23, 2012 at 4:57 AM
COOL place! Two thumbs up for these great sites for scuba diving! Amazing place to choose for scuba diving.
Menodumblikeyou
January 3, 2013 at 3:56 AM
muslims nowadays are so dumb I see no other comment that says how dumb this practice of praying underwater is. Can it be any dumber?
Of course, brothers and sisters, of course it can.
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