View source for Prayer Positions: Tracing the derivation of prayer positions from Torah, to Temple times, to Modern Practice

Prayer Positions: 
Tracing the derivation of prayer positions 
from Torah, to Temple times, to Modern Practice


Abstract
No other people are mentioned in the Quran as often as the people of Israel. They appear in sixteen surahs and approximately forty verses by name (banu Israel). The Quran also makes reference to the Jews either by name (al-yahud/hud) or within the context of the people of the book (ahl al-kitab). This paper aims to discuss the Qur nic verses about the Jews and the people of Israel in terms of the naming and the content. Key questions to be addressed are: What is the purpose of the frequent mention of the people of Israel in the Quran? What is the context and the content of the verses about the Jews and the people of Israel both in Meccan and Medinan surahs? What message or messages are intended to or can be conveyed by these verses?
Key Words: 	Quran, Jews (yahud/hud), the people of Israel (banu Isradl), the people of the book (ahl al-kitab), the Prophet Mulammad, Muslims, Islam.

Introduction
The word “religion (din)” is used in the Qur'an as a term that includes all religion(s).[	See Q 48:28: “It is He Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, to proclaim it over all religion (al-din kullihi)”; Q 109:6: “Unto you your religion (dinukum), and unto me my religion.” See also Q 3:85.] Nevertheless, the Qur n does not mention religions or religious systems individually or by name (in fact, there is no Qur nic usage of a 

Tracing the derivation of prayer positions 
from Torah, to Temple times, to Modern Practice

By Ben Abrahamson
May 17, 2010

Abstract:
This paper discusses the various forms of bowing and prostration in use in the Mosque and Synagogue. It is not meant to be a full comparison between Rabbinic and Islamic prayer customs but instead to propose a place to begin when seeking correlations in prayers.  The groundwork is laid for further research to discern the identity and customs of the Jews of Arabia and the source of additional rabbinic customs that were shared by Muslims. It also opens the possibility that Islamic custom may have influenced medieval rabbinic custom.  Of particular interest is the section "Repetition of the Shemonah Esrei" where the calculation of Rabbinic and Islamic Ra'akat's are shown to be the same.
Part I. Introduction
Prostration in the Temple and Synagogue
The bowing in the Temple and Synagogue finds its roots in the Temple custom to bow at each gate in Temple.  The relationship between gates and prayer is a common theme in Jewish literature.  City gates were the places where courts were set up to regulate commerce and taxes.[ The Biblical reference to "stranger in your gates" is a reference to foreigners where were accepted by the court and permitted to enter the city.
]  Similarly the Temple gates had courts that regulated Jewish law and entrance to the Temple grounds.
The custom of bowing at gates may date to the period of the First Temple and perhaps earlier, however it was made mandatory because of events leading to the Hasmonean revolt against the Greeks.   The Temple had a series of specialized areas and the Greeks did not recognize such a division of labor in the Temple service.  Permission to enter the Holy of Holies was restricted to the High Priest on a single day of the year.  Permission to enter the court of the Priests was restricted to the sons of Aaron.  Permission to enter the court of Israelites was restricted to those who kept the 613 commandments of the Torah.  Permission to enter the court of the Nations was restricted to those who had properly purified themselves and came with the intention to service G-d.  When a political dispute led to a military invasion by the Greeks into the Land of Israel, one of the things the Greeks did was to break down the soreg (fence) that separated the court of the Israelites from the court of the Nations.  
After the Greek invasion was repulsed and the Hasmonean priests returned to Jerusalem and purified the Holy Temple once again, (the story of Chanukah), they enacted a decree that all who come up to the Temple should prostrate themselves opposite these breeches towards the direction of the Holy Temple, in order to deepen the feeling of sanctity and reverence for the Holy Temple amongst all those who come to the hallowed courts of the House of the L-rd.

The Talmud Middoth, Mishnah 2:3 says:
Within it was the soreg (fence), ten handbreadths high.  There were thirteen breaches in it; these had been originally made by the Kings of Greece, and when they repaired them they enacted that thirteen prostrations should be made facing them.  
It could be understood that the requirement was to prostrate at whatever gate a person entered, however we see that some people prostrated all of the thirteen gates, or more. Talmud Sheqalim Mishnah 6:1 explains:[ See Tosefos on that verse 2:17]
There were in the Temple thirteen chests, thirteen tables and thirteen prostrations.  [Members] of the household of Rabban Gamaliel and of R. Hananiah the Chief of Priests, used to prostrate themselves fourteen [times]. And where was the additional [prostration] In front of the store of wood, for thus they had a tradition from their forefathers that the Ark was hidden there.
The necessity to prostrate at multiple gates may have been necessitated by the organization of the Temple.  Talmid Middoth, Mishnah 2:2 says:
All who entered the Temple Mount entered by the right and went round [i.e. on entering they turned to the right, even if their immediate objective was to the left, so they had to make a circuit to reach it.]
Each gate served a practical function in the Temple operation.  So it is probable that the prayers associated which each gate took on a specific character.  Each gate began to symbolize a specific need: water, livelihood, justice, etc.[ The Ari z"l, who wrote much later, quotes the Zohar, in saying that the Thirteen Gates represented one for each of the twelve tribes and a thirteenth gate for those who did not know their lineage, converts (and Bnei Noah?).  This also seems to indicate a specific character associated with each gate.
]
Even to this day the custom in the Synagogue of bowing when one passed in front of the Torah Ark is done in remembrance of the Temple gates.  The synagogue, which coexisted with the Second Temple, has only one "gate".  This was the Torah Ark which symbolized the Gate of Nicanor.  The gate of Nicanor was where the Torah was read in the Temple, and Torah Ark where the Torah was stored in the synagogue.  
Formal Public Prayer: The Shemonah Esrei
As public prayer began to take on more of a formal nature, the congregants would say the same prayers they said by the gates of the Temple. They would prostrate for each one.  They would take three steps backwards and forwards before the start of prayers, and also after the end of the prayers as a symbolic gesture of approaching and leaving the Temple gates.  However thirteen prostrations were determined to be a burden to the common people, and besides most worshipers came in by one gate and left by another, so the sages decreed that for common people they would prostrate four times:  1) at the beginning of the “Patriarch’s prayer” (gate), 2) at its completion;  3) at the beginning of the “Thanksgiving prayer” (gate), and  4) at its completion.  However priests and kings were required to do more.  

The Talmud Berakhot 34a teaches:
Our Rabbis taught: These are the prayers in saying which one bows:  The prayer of the Patriarchs, beginning and end, and the [prayer of] thanksgiving, beginning and end… And ordinary person bows as we have mentioned; a high priest at the end of each prayer; a king at the beginning of each prayer and at the end of each prayer.
If one looks at the current Shemonah Esrei prayer, it is composed of thirteen prayers as well as six prayers that have to do with events that occurred after the destruction of the Temple.  The following table marks in bold, the prayers that were only relevant after the destruction of the Temple, and were probably added at that time.[ It is perhaps worth noting that the Christian Πάτερ ἡμῶν was given in as an answer to the query “teach us how to pray” during the Second Temple period.  It is composed of thirteen stanzas, largely corresponding to the Shemoneh Esrei prayer, and perhaps corresponding to the thirteen gates of the Temple.]
Commemoration of the patriarchs
Mightiness of G-d
Sanctification of G-d
Understanding
Penitence
Forgiveness
Redemption
Healing
Blessing of the harvest
Ingathering of the exiles
Restoration of the judges
Destruction of the sectarians
Rewarding of the righteous
Rebuilding of Jerusalem
Restoring the Kingdom of David
Acceptance of prayer
Restoration of the Temple Service
Thanksgiving
Blessing of priests, prayer for peace
Types of Prostration
The main types of positions that were take during prayer included: Breikhah, Qam (`Amidah), Qidah, Hishtakhaweh, Kri`ah, Nafilat Apayim  These terms will be explained in more detail below, however it is worth noting that there is some interchangeability in these terms.  The Rambam in Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Tefillah uses the term Kri`ah (kneelings) for all of the above, and when referring to Nafilat Apayim the Rambam says that either Qidah or Hishtakhaweh can be performed according to custom (mihag).[ Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Tefilah]
There seemed to be some discussion as to the nature of Qidah, The Talmud Sukkah 53a deems it necessary to explain what is meant by the word Qidah:
It was taught: They said of R. Simeon b. Gamaliel…he used to take eight lighted torches [and juggle them]… and when he prostrated himself, he used to dig his two thumbs in the ground, bend down, kiss the ground, and draw himself up again, a feat which no other man could do, and this is what is meant by Qidah. Levi showed in the presence of Rabbi what Qidah is and as a result, became lame [the tremendous strain dislocated his thigh]…
However the conclusion of the Gemara in Talmud Megilah 22b, Brakhoth 34b and Shavuoth 16b is that:
Qidah is [bowing] upon the face, as it says: Then Bath-Sheba bowed with her face to the ground (1 Kings 8:31). 
Kri`ah [kneeling] is upon the knees, as it says: From kneeling on his knees. (1 Kings 8:54)
Hishtakhaweh [prostration] is spreading out of hands and feet, as it says: Shall I and thy mother and they brethren come to prostrate ourselves before these on the ground? (Genesis 37:10).
When comparing Islamic and Rabbinic tradition, at first sight there seems to be a mismatch: 1) Breichah (Islamic Ruku) is translated as Bless and not as a prayer position. 2) Qidah corresponds to Islamic Sajda, 3) Kri`ah corresponds to Islamic Qu'ud and 4) Hishtakhaweh, which is always translated by Onkelos into Aramaic as Sajda appears to have no Islamic counterpart.  A discussion of these differences and how they came about follows below.
Prostration after the Destruction of the Temple
There appears to be a difference of custom between the Land of Israel and Babylon (outside the Land of Israel). Talmud Megilah 22b says:
The text [above stated] 'Rav happened to be in Babylon on a public fast.  He came forward and read in the scroll.  He made a blessing before commencing, but made no blessing after finishing.  The whole congregation [subsequently] fell on their faces, but Rav did not fall on his face'.  Why did not Rav fall on his face? – There was a stone pavement there and it has been taught: 'Neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land to bow down upon it: (Leviticus 26:1) Upon it ye may not bow down in your land, but you may prostrate yourselves on the stones in the Temple'; this teaching is in accord with the opinion of 'Ullah, who said: The Torah [here] is forbidding only a pavement of stone. 
If that is the case, why is only Rav mentioned? All the rest should equally have abstained? – It was in front of Rav.  But could he not have gone among the congregation and fallen on his face? – He did not want to trouble the congregation [who would all have risen].  Or if you like I can say that Rav usually spread out his hands and feet [when he fell on his face], and he followed the opinion of 'Ulla, who said, The Torah forbade only the spreading out of the hands and feet.  But could he not have fallen on his face without spreading out his hands and feet? – He did not care to change his custom.  Or if you like I can say that for a distinguished man the rule is different, as laid down by R' Eleazer; for R. Eleazar said: A man of eminence is not permitted to fall on his face unless he is [sure of being] answered like Joshua son of Nun, as it is written, Wherefore now are thou fallen upon thy face. (Joshua 7:10).
From the above episode there are several things that we can learn: 
First since we are talking about a fast day, the discussion centers around Nefilat Apaym (falling on the face) and not the Shemoneh Esrei.  
We see that Babylonian Jews did a full prostration (hishtakhaweh) for the fast day prayer (tachnun).  
We see that Rav, from the Land of Israel, remained standing.  The first explanation offered is that full prostration on stone floors outside the Temple is forbidden.[ Sifra, Behar, end; support the ruling in Megillah 22b
]  We learn that the prohibition is limited to full prostration (spreading out of the hands and feet).  We learn that prostration on dirt or dust (where the congregation stood) was not included in the prohibition.  We learn that men of importance were not required to do prostration in public. 
Most importantly we learn that the choice of full prostration (hishtakhaweh) or partial prostration (qidah) was a matter of personal custom.  In fact the commentaries indicate that in the land of Israel the custom was not to prostrate at all.  The explanation being that the words "in your land" in the key verse (Leviticus 26:1) indicated that there was a difference between the Land of Israel and outside the Land of Israel, concerning prostration.  This prohibition however, seems to have taken effect only after the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE and the Synagogues began to become the center of Jewish life, appearing as mikdash me'at (small Temples) with stone floors.  
Some historians note that this difference coincides with the rise of Christianity and the need for Jews to differentiate from Christians.  But in fact the Christians appeared to have discontinued prostration at the same times as the Jews, for their own reasons.[ Believing that the destruction of the Temple confirmed the mission of Jesus, they saw no need for prostration during prayer.  Christians retained prostration in very limited circumstances related to showing honor to elders and religious leaders.]  Jews continued to do an abbreviated prostration without actually touching the ground and Christians knelt without bending forward to touch the ground.  In Babylon both partial prostration (qidah) and full prostration (hishtakhaweh/sajda) continued.
And more details are given by Shevuot 16b:
Rava said: They did not teach this [that if he prostrated himself quickly, without tarrying the period that prostration should take, he is liable] except when he prostrated himself facing inwards; [toward the Holy of Holies in the west].  But if he prostrated himself facing outwards, then only if he tarried is he liable, be if he did not tarry, his not liable…  What is considered prostration in which there is tarrying and what is considered prostration in which there is no tarrying?  Where there is no tarrying, that is mere kneeling; where there is tarrying, that is the spreading out of hands and feet.
This indicates that "full prostration" (extending arms and legs) included a length of time for it to be liable.  This would seem to indicate a qualitative difference between bowing for the tachnun prayer and the short "kneeling" done for the Shemoneh Esrei blessings.
Halachic Rulings and Modern Practice
Rabbi Mordikhai Eliyahu rules:[
 Rabbi Mordikhai Eliyahu from Shabbat b'Shabbato, edition 1173, parashat Shlah-lekha, 23 in Sivan, 9.6.07, pg 10
] From the verse "and the decorated stone do not let be prostrated upon in your land" (Leviticus 26:1) we learn that the Torah forbids us to prostrate with hands and feet spread out on a stone floor.  It is forbidden even if we intend to worship properly and not for avodah zarah. The Biblical prohibition is limited to the prostration with hands and feet outspread while his face touches the ground).  However Rabbi Mordikhai Eliyahu permits the bending-down (k'ri'ah) (as in the prayer of the Shemoneh Esreh).[ Based on Mishneh Torah, Hilkhos Avoda Zarah 6:13. The prohibition from the Torah is only against fully prostrating -- face pressed to stone with arms and leggs spread out. The only "fence" that Ha'zal established concerning this prohibition was that one can not press his face onto stone outside of the Temple.
]
 
The Rama rules[ Rama, Orach Chaim 131:8, Mishnah Berurah #40
]: By rabbinic decree complete prostration even on a floor not of hewn stone (asphalt or dust).  Prostration which is not on stone is permitted when a person tilts a little on his side. Qida (kneeling without outstretched limbs) on a stone floor is also forbidden.  However it is possible to to kneel on a stone floor by covering the surface upon which he will kneel. Some views state that it is preferable to cover the floor no matter what it is made of.  This is the source of the general practice to put something on the floor when kneeling, even if it is surfaced with linoleum or carpeting.
The sages, would kiss the stones of the land and roll on its dust, but were not prostrating with hands and feet outspread; rather, they were kissing the boulders of the land (Rashi, Ketuboth) and rolling on the dust, and not on stones (Rambam, Melakhim). Therefore, it is forbidden to those who are coming from out of the country to kiss the earth with hands and feet outspread - unless they tilt on their sides, or they separate between themselves and the earth with mats or grasses.  It is not allowed to prostrate, to bend-down and kiss the floor of a beit-ha'netivoth (airport arrival place) which is made of stones tiled.
We seem from these rulings that there are legal permissions (heterim) to permit prostration under certain circumstances: either by leaning on a non-stone floor, or placing a covering like a mat before prostrating.  However due to the custom in the Land of Israel of not prostrating at all, because of our of mourning for the destructionof the Temple  and the gates that played such an important role in the formation of the public prayer, the Qidah (partial prostration) of the Shemonah Esrei[ There are 5 places where one "bends-down" during this prayer (Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Tefilah 5:10).  Each time one "bends-down," he should arch his back bending over until his backbone pokes out slightly (Hilchos Tefilah 5:12).  One need not bow in this manner if he is unable because it causes him pain (Hilchos Tefilah 5:12).  There are some additional reasons why a person may not need to fully bow, usually either because of stress of the situation or stress of the body (Hilchos Tefilah 5:1).
] became a slight bending of the kneels and bowing without touching the floor, and the Hishtakhaweh (full prostration) of Tachnun became resting the head in the left arm, also without touching the floor.  Since the congregation never touched the floor, it was no longer necessary to remove the shoes nor was it necessary to wash the feet before prayer.  This is the custom of Rabbinic Jews today.
Babylonian custom persisted in Yemen, at least for the Tachnun prayer.  However when the vast majority of Yemenite Jews immigrated to the Land of Israel they refrained from this practice during the daily prayers.[ Yemenite Jews as a whole prostrated in the daily part of Jewish prayer called Tachanun until fairly recent times.  Some members of the Yemenite Jewish community still practice prostration as inherited from their recent ancestors.   See the writings of Mori Yosef Qafekh, such as his commentary on Hilkhoth Tefilah - Sefer Ahavah 5:14; The commentary of Rav Shlomo Tzadoq to the Mishneh Torah, as well as in the 'Shulhhan Arukh haMiqutzar,' and in English commentary to section in Gemara on Nafilat Apayim.  
]
The single exception to refraining from prostration was during the High Holiday prayers: on the Day of Atonement, four times, and on New-year's Day once.  Although kneeling and prostration are not part of the daily synagogue, the chazzan's Aleinu during the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers represents the congregations united acceptance of God's sovereignty as we are on the threshold of the most important part of the day's prayers: the combination of Scriptural verses with the shofar blasts.  This solemnity and dedication is symbolized by kneeling during Aleinu, overriding the mourning for the destruction of the Temple.[ Artscroll Rosh Hashanah Machzor pg. 550.
]  
There are varying customs:  In some congregations everyone kneels and brings his face to the floor; in some, everyone kneels and bows, but does not bring his face to the floor; in some only the chazzan kneels, with or without bringing his face to the floor.  In the book ''Even Sepir'' (page 68) you will find the testimony of a European born Jewish traveler who visited Yemen in the year of 1859.  He wrote that that "they fall on their faces, after the Prayer (Amida), stretching out their arms and legs, like the custom of Ashkenazim on Yom haKippurim,"  This indicates that some European Jews did full prostration as well.  The differences in custom do not appear to be due to confusion as to the custom, rather the fact that there were different minhagim in Babylon and the Land of Israel, and even within the Land of Israel when the Temple still stood.[ Talmud Megillah 22b]

Part II
Washing hands, feet, face; rinsing mouth before prayer (רחיצת רגליים וידיים)
Hebrew Rechitzah, Arabic Wudu
The Talmud requires a person to wash his hands before prayer.  A person must wash his hands to the wrists before prayer. Therefore, even though he washed his hands in the morning, if his hands touched a place of filth - i.e., a portion of the body which is sweaty and usually covered: he scratched his head, or in the morning, he did not wash them until the wrists - he must wash them again before prayer. (Sotah 39a).  The custom is to wash the right hand three times, and then the left hand three times.  In addition, the Shulchan Aruch requires that the face be washed and the mouth rinsed upon rising.

Thus with minor differences, the Rabbinic and Islamic custom of washing before prayer parallel each other.  The 33rd point of customs recommend by the Sages of Safed include “Some people go to the Mikveh [every morning]. . . a zealous man was asked: why are the prayers of the Jewish People not answered? He answered: because the Jewish People pray without first going to the Mikveh.”

It is reasonable to conclude that these washings correspond to washings performed in the Temple, both by the Priests and the worshipers.  It is has been suggested that washing three times corresponds to the three gates that need to be entered to bring a sacrifice for offering.  Thus a Muslim today, washing his hands three times, is doing it in remembrance of the Temple of Solomon.
Removing shoes (חליצת נעלים)
To appear barefooted in the sanctuary was another mode of adoration of the Children of Israel, as may be seen from " And He said: 'Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5, Acts 7:33) and " And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua: 'Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.' And Joshua did so." (Joshua 5:15).  

Even today in the Synagogue, the Cohanim remove shoes before the priestly blessing, out of respect for holiness of the congregation assembled for prayer. (Talmud Sotah 40a)

The underlying idea seems to have been to bringing the dust of the street (which was connected with idolatry) into a place of prayer.  The Jews of Arabia, following Sadducean custom, prayed like Priests, without shoes.  As it says in the Haddith: Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 2, Number 0652: Narrated Aws ibn Thabit al-Ansari: The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) said: Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals or their shoes.
Prohibition to prostrate on stone floors (outside the Temple)
Toward the end of the second century, the Rabbis teachers in Jerusalem, relying on "Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 26:1),  took hishtakhaweh as meaning to spread oneself, and taught that it was forbidden outside of the Temple to prostrate oneself upon stone pavement (Sifra, Behar, end; Megilah 22b), in the Land of Israel.  The custom of partial prostration (qida) in the Shemoneh Esrei and full prostration (hishtakhaweh) in Tachnun become merely a symbolic bow, or resting the head on the hands.

	
The prostrations continued in Babylon (see “Prostration after the Destruction of the Temple” above). In Babylon, in deference to the custom in Israel, the Sages require the use of a prayer mat, cloth or some other object so as to avoid bowing down directly on stone. 

The custom of the Land of Israel (symbolic prostrations) gradually found its way into Babylon and the other lands of the diaspora.  It was retained only through the use of a prayer mat, during the high holiday services.
Standing (עמידה) 
Hebrew Qam, `Amidah, Arabic Qiyam
The standing posture at prayer was "the attitude of the slave before his master" (Shab. 10a). The chief prayer, the Eighteen Benedictions, was, however, always said standing (Mishnah Berakhot 30a). Hence the name `Amidah (Standing) for the Eighteen Benedictions. [ This receives confirmation in the New Testament where it is said, "The Pharisee stood and prayed" (Luke 18:11); and "they love to pray standing" (Matthew 6:5).] 
The prayer is recited standing with feet firmly together, and preferably while facing Jerusalem. In Orthodox public worship, the Shemoneh Esrei is usually first prayed silently by the congregation and is then repeated aloud by the chazzan (reader); the repetition's original purpose was to give illiterate members of the congregation a chance to participate in the collective prayer by answering "Amen." The rules governing the composition and recital of the Amidah are discussed primarily in the Talmud, in Chapters 4-5 of Berakhot; in the Mishneh Torah, in chapters 4-5 of Hilkhot Tefilah; and in the Shulchan Aruch, Laws 89-127.
According to the Haddith: Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 664: Narrated 'Aisha: That she used to hate that one should keep his hands on his flanks while praying. She said that the Jew used to do so.
Feet touching (רגל אחת)
The placing of the feet in Rabbinic Tradition is assumed to be close together during the recital of the principal prayer.  The Talmud Berakhot 10a says:

R. Jose son of R. Hanina also said in the name of R. Eliezer b. Jacob: When one prays, he should place his feet in proper position, as it says, And their feet were straight feet. (Ezekiel 1:7).

This of course is not the only way to understand this verse.  The Islamic haddith have this same custom.  The ahaddith say:

Hadhrat Umar (ra) narrates that Rasulullah (saw) said: “Straighten the sufoof, line up the shoulders, close the gaps and become tender in the hands of your brothers. Do not leave any gaps for shaitaan. Whoever joins the saff, Allah will join him. And whoever cuts the saff Allah will cut him.” (Bukhari & Abu Dawood)

While it is Sunni custom that the worshipers “‘should stand apart (with his feet) so that there is a distance of four fingers in between them”, there are some Salafi who have the custom that the feet should touch.  Unlike Rabbinic custom, the Salafi do not say the feet should not touch each other, rather the foot of one person should touch the foot of the person next to him, so as to facilitate “joining shoulder to shoulder”.  

This concept, by coincidence, is quoted by the prophet Zephania in connection with the true Bnei Noah “For then will I turn clear language to the Nations, that they may all call upon the name of G-d, to serve Him shoulder to shoulder.” Zephania 3:9
Folding hands in prayer
It was the habit of Rabba (R. Abba b. Joseph) to fold the hands at prayer (Shabbat 10a).  This continues to be the custom of many Rabbinic Jews, as well as the Islamic custom.
Raising the hands (נשיאת ידים) Hebrew 
Nisiyat Kapayim, Arabic Niyyat
The spreading of the hands at prayer is frequently mentioned in Scripture (Isaiah 1:15, Exodus 9:29). During the Second Temple period, the practice of spreading the hands forward in a wide fashion, as if to request a blessing, was modified such that the hands were raised in the direction of heaven in praise (I Kings 8:22, 54; Lamentations 3:41). When blessing the people in the Temple the priests raised their hands toward heaven; this practice the later, Second Temple, fashion of spreading the hands. But when the priestly benediction was pronounced in the synagogue, where it very early became an essential portion of the public service, the older fashion of spreading the hands horizontally was employed (Mishnah Soṭah, vii. 6).  
During the Second Temple period, the hands were raising the hands slightly during the Pesukei Dezimra.  Today this custom remains only in the Ashrei Prayer during the verse Poteach et Yadekha, where Sefardim raise their hands in much the same fashion as is Muslim custom during the recital of Allahu Akhbar.
The raising of hand to place them over the eyes while saying the Shema' (Berakhot 13b) may be related, but this would require further investigation.
The custom of the Jews of Arabia was to raise their hands in prayer, similar to the Temple custom.  The Haddith says: Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 10, Number 1865: Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah: was asked about a man who looks at the House (the Ka'bah) and raises his hands (for prayer). He replied: I did not find anyone doing this except the Jews. We performed hajj along with the Apostle of Allah (pbuh), but he did not do so.  However modern Islamic custom agrees with Babylonian custom, where the hands are raised partially and briefly during Ashrei / Allahu Akhbar.
Swaying a prayers (מנוד ראש)
Possibly the habit of swaying at prayers, mentioned by Judah ha-Levi in the "Cuzari" (ii. 79, 80), was known in the academies as a custom performed during learning, was transplanted into the synagogue. Shmuel ha-Nagid (eleventh century) speak of the practice of swaying while studying.  The Talmud Shabbat 104a, specifically mentions swaying of the head during prayers, using the word manud rosh.   The Arabic lexicographer Fikh al-lugha explain nawadan (= Hebrew נוד) as "to shake," and applied it to the Jewish mode of shaking the person at prayer or study.

This custom must be a strictly Babylonian custom that was not approved of by Muslims.  A haddith refers disparagingly to the shuckling, rocking back and forth, of Jews as the shaking of sheep.
Bending at the Waist until the Knees (בריכה)
Hebrew breikhah, Arabic ruku
The source of the Barchu prayer is found in three places, before the Shema, and before Zimun.  In all these places it is an invitation of a group of people to prayer and in most cases it is a blessing that precedes the study of Torah.  

The Rabbinic custom in the Barchu before the Shema and Torah Readings is to bow from the waist.  The Karaites custom is bending of the upper part of the body until the hands touches the knees.  The Karaites call it בריכה, breikha, which is linguistically related to the word Barchu.  The Islamic custom and the Karaite custom are identical and it is reasonable to assume that this is the original Talmudic custom as well.  The hands on the knees relating to the word for “knee” berekh as well as the word for Blessing.  The Islamic term for this position is ruku, which is also linguistically related to the word breikha.

Partial Prostration: getting down on hands and knees and face (קידה), 
Hebrew Qidah, Arabic Sajda

Qidah – “which means to bow upon the face." I Kings 1:31 (Tractate Berachot 34b).  It always implies the face (nose) to the ground and as such, it is forbidden to do on a stone floor outside of the temple. In all the verse of the Torah where Qidah is mentioned, it is is not combined with nefilah apayim because that would be redundant.

The position is probably also the posture described in I Kings, xviii. 42, where Elijah at prayer is represented as having "cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees" (compare Ta'anit 3:8). Other optional forms are mentioned are נשיקה kissing the floor of the Temple (Sukkut 53a,). 

Talmud Berakoth 28b says:

R. Tanhum also said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi: In saying the Tefillah one should bow down [at the appropriate places] until all the vertebrae in the spinal column are loosened. 'Ulla says: Until an issar16  of flesh is visible opposite his heart.17  R. Hanina said: If he simply bows his head, he need do no more. Said Raba: This is only if it hurts him [to stoop] and he shows that he would like to bow down.

Given that modern Rabbinic tradition bends the knees and bows at the waist, it is probably to interpret that this nominal prostration is a form of Qida, and that if the Temple were in existence that Qida would be performed today.  The Rabbinic nominal “Qida” shares with its Islamic counterpart the requirement that one should preferably bow until "one bends all of one's vertebrae" like a bow. (Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Tefilah 5:12),

Ethiopian Jews are known to prostrate at times, especially during their holiday known as 'Sigd,' which itself means prostration in Amharic, Aramaic, and Arabic.  See picture at right: 

Qida as a preparation for Hishtakhaweh
The term "to fall on the face" used in Genesis, 17:3, Numbers, 16:4, Numbers, 16:22, Numbers, 20:6, etc. and also the type of worship on Yom Kippur when the High Priest pronounced the special name of G-d involed a progression of Nefilah, Qida and Hishtakhaweh (falling, bending and prostration). The Talmud Sukkah 53a explains that it was both difficult and dangerous to do:

It was taught: They said of R. Simeon b. Gamaliel…he used to take eight lighted torches [and juggle them]… and when he prostrated himself, he used to dig his two thumbs in the ground, bend down, kiss the ground, and draw himself up again, a feat which no other man could do, and this is what is meant by Qidah. Levi showed in the presence of Rabbi what Qidah is and as a result, became lame [the tremendous strain dislocated his thigh]…
Full Prostration (השתחויה)
Hebrew Hishtakhaweh, Arabic Sajda

The most prominent prayer position mentioned in Scripture is full prostration, lying prone with the face touching the ground. The Hebrew word for this gesture is histakhaweh ("to prostrate oneself"), (Genesis 37:10, Berachot 34b) usually combined with nefilah ("to fall down in surprise"; Joshua 5:14; Job 1:20); at other times preceded by the above mentioned partial prostration qida ("to bend the knee").   Often full prostration was preceded by partial prostration on hands, knees and head. 
Hishtaḥawayah was the most common one in the Second Temple, especially as connected with the sacrifical service.  After every sacrifice the priests had to make the full prostration (Mishnah Tamid, vi. 1, 2).  Indeed, when the Temple was destroyed, full prostration ceased almost entirely (except for Tachanun, see below “To fall on the face”)
In addition, every worshiper to the Court of the Nations would have up to thirteen full prostrations to peform, with the hands and feet spread out and the face touching the ground (Mishnah Sheqalim 6:1,3). A further form of the hishtakhaweh is the nefilat apayim the sudden and complete prostration with the face to the ground, which took place only once a year, on the Day of Atonement, when the high priest pronounced the Ineffable Name.  When the worshipers heard this, they all threw themselves on the ground (Yerushalmi Yoma, 40d, The Mishnah in Babylonian Yoma 66a).
After the destruction of the Temple, the custom in the Land of Israel converted partial and full prostrations into symbolic motions, and in Babylon were prostration continued, full prostration was discontinued except for tachanun and high holidays (Baba Metzia 59b, with reference to Eliezer b. Hyrcanus).  Thus it came about, some decades later, that when Rav, the founder of rabbinical learning in Babylonia, returned to his home from Palestine, he remained standing in the synagogue when all others threw themselves prostrate on the ground (Megilah 22b).

Kneeling (כריעה) 
Hebrew Kri`ah, Arabic Qu’ud sitting
Keriah – “which means going down on the knees.”, I Kings 8:54 (Tractate Berachot 34b). It can be either sitting on the knees or not.

The act of kneeling is a token of submission (I Kings, viii. 54; Ezra, ix. 6, and other passages).  The passage in I Kings. 19:18, referring to kneeling down, must be understood as applying to prostrate adoration, which was preceded, as already stated, by a bending of the knee.   This means that Kri’ah was used generally for a variety of positions.  This is the case of where in the Rambam Hilchos Tefilah, and elsewhere, the word Kr`iah is used as a general term for all prayer positions that involve bending in some form.
Kri`ah proper, probably refers to custom in Islamic tradition of sitting solemnly, during a portion of the prayer, in an attitude in which the head can easily touch the ground. Probably the passage, II Sam. vii. 18—where it is stated that King David went into the house of the Lord and sat there—is to be similarly explained as referring to a peculiar and solemn mode of sitting.

The prayer Aleinu specifically makes reference to kr`iah (kneel), hishtakhaweh (full prostration) and modim (testimony, shahada).
Giving Shalom and three steps back (עשה שלום) 
Hebrew Oseh Shalom, Arabic  Salaamu 'alaikum
In a Haddith by Ah (ra), the Prophet said: "The key to the prayer is cleanliness and its consecrated state is Takbeer, and its conclusion is Tasleem." As-Salaam is to announce the end of Salaah by saying "As-Salaamu 'Alaikum warahmatullaah," turning the face to the right shoulder, and As-Salaamu 'Alaikum warahmatullaah," turning the face to the left shoulder.

The Gemara (Yoma 53b) teaches that upon concluding Shemoneh Esrei, one should retreat in a respectful manner. "Rabbi Alexanderi said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: "After praying one must take three steps back, and then bid shalom [peace, i.e., farewell]…" and "We learned this also [in a beraita]: "After praying, one must take three steps back and then bid shalom; if he fails to do so, it would have been better had he not prayed at all…""  

The Gemara concludes that after taking three steps backwards, one should "bid shalom," first to the left, and then to the right. However the there were differing customs. "In the name of Shemaya, they said that one should give shalom to the right and then to the left, as it is said (Devarim 33:2) "From His right [hand] a fiery law for them;" and it is said (Tehillim 91:7) "A thousand will fall at your side and a myriad at your right…" Rava saw Abbayei giving shalom to his own right first. He said, "Do you think it means YOUR right side? I meant your LEFT side, which is the right of the Holy One, Blessed be He." Rav Chiyya son of Rav Huna said: "I saw that Abbayei and Rava would step three steps in a single bow." At the end of the Shemonah Esreh prayer Jews look to the left and to the right saying "Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu yaseh shalom, alenu ve'al kol Yisrael"

Modern Rabbinic custom is to say "Shalom" to the LEFT first, and Islamic custom was to say "Shalom" to the RIGHT first. 
Repetition of the Shemonah Esrei
It is the custom in the synagogue to almost always say the Shemonah Esrei twice:  First silently for those who which to pray their own prayers, and then again led by a prayer leader.  This repetition was so that those who were unfamiliar with the prayers may say them together with the prayer leader. In this way we have today a unit of prayer in both the Synagogue and Mosque which includes four prostrations, two at the beginning and two at the end, repeated for a minimum of two times.

The Islamic unit of prayer is a ra’akat.  The raka'ah can be described as follows:
Standing
Saying Fatiha the first surah of the Qur'an
Bowing down with hands resting on knees (ruku)
Standing up from bowing
Going in prostration (sajdah) once
Lifting the face up from prostration but sitting on the ground
Doing a second prostration (sajdah) and then standing up

Points 1-7 define one raka'ah. The shortest Muslim prayer must have two raka'ats, so like the repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei it has total of four prostrations. 

But the correspondence goes further than that.  The Jews of Arabia held like Rabbi Joshua ben Levi who taught: “The Tefilloth were arranged to be said in between the two times we recite Kriyas Shema each day.” (Talmud Brakhoth 4b).   It is reasonable to assume that this was Sadducean custom as well, because it reflects a literalist tendency, i.e. that Scripture declares that the Shema prayer should be said when rising up and lying down to sleep.  This means that main fulfillment of the commandment to recite the Shema and its accompanying blessings were said in the morning and evening, raising the number of prayers from three to five.  These people did not “combine Geulah with Tefillah”, but recited five mandatory prayers, instead of three.

This of course means that according to this custom the Shemonei Esrei prayer did not have any preparatory prayers. There is a teaching that Prayer should be preceded by Torah learning.  So those who fulfilled the commandment of reciting the Shema upon rising and going to sleep, would recite the Shema before the three regular prayers as preparatory material and in fulfillment of the commandment to precede Torah learning by prayer.  In recognition of this custom, the Sages instituted that the Barchu prayer should be recited before reading the Shema in the same way the Barchu prayer is said before each reading of the Torah.

In order that each prayer should be preceded by Torah learning, Barchu and one paragraph of the Shema and its prayers was said before each repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei, and it is reasonable to assume before each prostration. This is called Lifros et HaShema, to recite the Shema as Torah learning in pieces before each prostration (Talmud Megila 4a).

Here is a map of the bowing in Jewish prayer according to modern Rabbinic Tradition.  It is no longer our custom to Lifros et HaShema, with the exception of saying Barchu after the sunset prayer to invite and additional prostration.  It is the custom of those (even today) to say Barchu to recite only the first three blessings of the Shemoneh Esrei.  One could speculate that this would be a single prostration, corresponding to a 3rd raka`at, a custom that Islam continues to observe.

Prostrations according to modern Rabbinic Tradition without Lifros et HaShema.

dawn prayer		blessings, shema
morning prayer	4 raka'at	1) barkhu (RUKU), full shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
2) thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
chazarat hashatz
3) patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
4) thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
afternoon prayer	4 raka'at	1) patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
2) thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
chazarat hashatz
3) patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
4) thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
sunset prayer	3 raka'at	1) barkhu (RUKU), full shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
2) thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
3) barkhu (RUKU)
night prayer		shema

Prostrations according to Lifros et HaShema.

dawn prayer		blessings, full shema
morning prayer	4 raka'at	1) barkhu (RUKU), shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
2) barkhu (RUKU), shema, thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
chazarat hashatz
3) barkhu (RUKU), shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
4) barkhu (RUKU), shema, thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
afternoon prayer	4 raka'at	1) barkhu (RUKU), shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
2) barkhu (RUKU), shema, thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
chazarat hashatz
3) barkhu (RUKU), shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
4) barkhu (RUKU), shema, thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
sunset prayer	3 raka'at	1) barkhu (RUKU), shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
2) barkhu (RUKU), shema, thanksgiving begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
3) barkhu (RUKU), shema, patriarchs begin (SAJDA), end (SAJDA)
night prayer		full shema

It is interesting to note the place of the Shema corresponds exactly to the place where Fatiha the first surah of the Qur'an is recited.  This means that the Ruku prayer is essentially a Blessing of the Torah before reading a section from the Scriptures!

Rabbinic Tradition appears to be aware of this custom, and continues to hold it as valid.  When in Spain the Sefardim tried to combine the repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei into a single recital, with the silent and public recitations being recited together – ostensively because everyone now knew the prayers and no longer needed prompting from the prayer leader – this custom was vigorously condemned, and the number of prostration remained fixed.

There seems to be some confusion as to whether the Rabbinic Modim prayer is a Ruku (bend at waist) or a Sajda (knees, hands and head on floor).  According to the Mishnah the four prostrations in the Shemoneh Esrei are to be the same.  Only if following the custom of Lifros et HaShema would a barkhu (ruku) be inserted.  However almost all modern authorities say that Modim involves only bending at the waist and that there is a fifth “Sajda” prostration at Oseh Shalom.  While disagreeing with the Gemara, this formation of prayer positions would allow a Jew to pray together with a group of Islamic worshipers, without drawing attention to himself.  There are times in Jewish history, during persecutions, where such anonymity might be desirable.  

To fall on the face (נפילת אפים)
Hebrew nefilat apayim
	
The Rambam states prostration (with one's body pressed flat to the earth) should be practiced at the end of the Amidah, recited thrice daily.  Here he is referring to the Tachanun prayer.  Originally a full prostration, had been modified as early as the time of the Geonim into a mere bowing the head forward upon the arm.  It is possible that this prayer has no apparent correspondence to Islamic prayer is due the reticence of for public confession as a part of Islamic public prayer.[ Based on an a article " Path of Abraham, Prayer Of Our Fathers" by sagavyah on blogspot.com
]

Rabbi Eli'ezer Melamed said “falling nose-ward" / nafilat apaiyim - was originally a reference to the act placing one's nose to the ground while bowing.[ published in the weekly pamphlet "Ma'at min haOhr" for the Torah section of Qorahh, 29 in the month of Siwan in the year 5767 / 2007
] It is based on "And Moses heard and he fell upon his face" (Numbers 16:4)  From the scriptural times, unrelated to the Temple service, they were accustomed to say the prayer of nafilat apaiyim in full prostration (histahhaweh) or partial prostration (qida).  In prostration the one praying falls upon the ground with his entire body, with his hands and feet spread-out on the ground.  
 
Unlike the full prostration associated with the consummation of a Temple Sacrifice, the full prostration associated with Tachanun was to hides one’s face out of fear and shame before God.  In many communities they are accustomed to cover the face with a garment.  And if he does not have long sleeves, he shall not make do with hiding his head on his forearm, since the forearm and the face are one body, and the body can not cover itself.  And if there is a scarf in his hand, he shall place [it] on his forearm and hide (yilit) his face in it.  And if he does not have a scarf, he shall fall upon his bare forearm; and if there is a table there, he shall lean his head and his forearm upon it - thus the table will be considered as the essential covering for his face. And for one who has long sleeves, it is best that he place his forearm and his face on the table, and if he needs the help of a prayer-book, he shall draw the prayer-book near to his face, and thus the prayer-book shall also hide his face.[ Y'eueen Pnini halakha - Prayer / Tefila Kaf-Alef, Dalet, 4]

How completely the Church ritual of early times was dominated by the Synagogue is shown by the usage prevalent in the Christian Church, and mentioned by Tertullian ("De Corona Militis," iii.), that on Sunday, and during the whole week of Pentecost, prayer was not to be said “kneeling”. The synagogal custom (minhag), as old as the first Christian century, omits the prostration on all festivals and semi-festivals (B. M. 59b).

Appendix I
Gates of Prayer

	Prayer	Gate[ The thirteen gates are described “There were in the Temple thirteen chests, thirteen tables and thirteen prostrations.  [Members] of the household of Rabban Gamaliel and of R. Hananiah the Chief of Priests, used to prostrate themselves fourteen [times]. And where was the additional [prostration] In front of the store of wood, for thus they had a tradition from their forefathers that the Ark was hidden there.” (Talmud Sheqalim Mishnah 6:1)]	Tribe	Location	Purpose
		No name	General
Sha’ar HaKlali	Southern gate on western wall	Entering the temple grounds from the city.
1
1	Commemoration of the patriarchs
Magen Avraham
(Makam Avraham)	Sha'ar HaEliyon
(Upper Gate)	Binyamin	First gate from west on southern wall	It was the highest gate in elevation, hence it’s name.
2
2	Mightiness of God
Mechayeh HaMetim	Sha'ar HaMayim
(Water Gate)	Gad	Second gate from west on southern wall	The Water Gate, opposite the Mizbe'ach, was opened only on Sukkos to bring water for the Nisuch ha'Mayim. A stream passed through the Azarah and flowed through this gate. When necessary, its flow was blocked, causing it to overflow and cleanse the Azarah floor
3
3	Sanctification of God
HaEl HaKodesh	Sha'ar HaDelek
(Fuel Gate)	Shimon	Third gate from west on southern wall	The Gate of Kindling through which wood was brought for the Mizbe'ach
4
4	Understanding
Honen HaDaat	Lishkat HaGazit
?		Fourth gate from west on southern wall	Where the Great Sanhedrin sat, and judged the kohanim
5
5	Penitence
HaRotzeh BaTeshuvah	Sha'ar HaBekhorot
(Firstling Gate)	Reuven	Fifth gate from west on southern wall	The Gate of the Firstborn through which were brought the offering of first born animals (Shemos 13).
6
6	Forgiveness
HaMarbeh LeSloah	Southern Nikanor gate	Zevulun	Southern gate on eastern wall
Also
Fifth gate from west on southern wall	To the south was the Chamber of the Pancake-Makers, where twelve cakes were prepared daily, six for the morning and six for the afternoon sacrifice
-
7	Redemption
Re’eh - Goel Yisrael				Added post destruction of the Temple
7
8	Healing
Rofeh Holeh Amo Yisrael	Sha'ar Nikanor	Yehudah	Middle gate on eastern wall
Also
Gate on eastern wall	On these steps the Levites sang the "hymns of degrees," (Ps. 120-135), corresponding with the number of steps (Yoma 38a); these were recited at the festival of the rejoicing of the water, as well as the reading of the Torah was heard
8
9	Blessing of the harvest
Mevareh HaShanim	Northern Nikanor Gate	Yisaschar	Northern gate on eastern wall
Also
Fifth gate from west on northern wall	On the northern side was the Chamber of Pinchas, the vestment-keeper, who had charge of the priests' lockers built in the wall and who arranged for the 24 patrols 

Appendix I
Gates of Prayer, cont.

-
10	Ingathering of the exiles
Teka - Makabetz Nedhey Amo Yisrael				Added later
-
11	Restoration of the judges
Hashivenu Shoftenu - Ohev Zedaka uMishpat				Added later
-
-	Destruction of the sectarians
Shover Oivim uMaknia Zedim				Added later
9
12	Rewarding of the righteous
Mishan uMavtah LaTzadikim	Sha'ar HaShir 
(Song Gate)
(Lishkah HaGazit)	Dan	Eastern gate on northern wall	The gate where the Levites entered with their musical instruments. .
-
13	Rebuilding of Jerusalem
Bonei Yerushalaim				Added later
-
14	Restoring the Kingdom of David
Keren Yeshuah				Added later
10
15	Acceptance of prayer
Shomea Tefilah	Sha'ar HaNashim
(Women's Gate)
(Lishkat HaGolah)
(Yeconiah Gate)	Asher	Second gate from east on northern wall	The Women's Gate, an entrance for women bringing offerings.
It was formerly called the Gate of Yechanyah for it was through this gate that the kings of the Davidic line enter and king Yeconiah passed when he went into exile to Babylon. On its roof was a watchtower.
11
16	Victory
Alenu
Restoration of the Temple Service
Retzeh - HaMahzir Sheikinato LeZion	Sha'ar HaQorban
(Offering Gate)
(Moked)	Naftali	Third gate from east on northern wall	Replaced later

The Gate of the Offering through which Kodshei Kodshim offerings were received.
12
17	Thanksgiving
Naeh LeHodot	Sha'ar HaNitzutz
	Menasheh	Fourth gate from east on northern wall	The Gate of the Spark, a roofed entrance under which burning coals were kept for rekindling purposes. 
13
18	Blessing of priests, prayer for peace
Mevoreh Amo Yisrael BaShalom	No name	Efraim	Northern gate on western wall	Leaving the temple grounds to the city.


Appendix II
 Islamic and Rabbinic Prayer Times

Fajr
(فجر)	Dawn when "white thread can be distinguished by you from a black
one" to sunrise	Brochos
(ברכות)	Dawn when “one can distinguish between blue and white.” to the first quarter of the day 
Shuchar (ظهر)	After true noon until Asr	Shacharit
(שחרית)	From Sunrise to the first third of the day. 
Asr (عصر)	Afternoon.

According to Imam Abu Hanifa, "Asr starts when the shadow of an object becomes twice its height (plus the length of its shadow at the start time of Shuhar)." For the rest of Imams, "Asr starts when the shadow of an object becomes equal to its length (plus the length of its shadow at the start time of Shuhar)." Asr ends as the sun begins to set.

According to Shia Muslims, 'Asr prayer has no set times but is performed from mid-day. Shuhar and 'Asr prayers must be performed before sunset, and the time for 'Asr prayer starts after Shuhar has been performed. 	Ashrei
(אשרי)

Mincha	Afternoon.

1/2 hour after true noon to last quarter of the day.
.
Ideally, one should complete the prayers before sunset, although many authorities permit reciting Mincha until nightfall.  
Maghrib (مغرب)	After sunset, until dusk

According to Shia Muslims, Maghrib prayers must be performed before midnight	Ma'ariv
(מעריב)	After nightfall, until midnight
Isha'a (عشاء)	Dusk until dawn

According to Shia Muslims, 'Ishaa prayer has no set times but is performed from mid-day until midnight.  'Ishaa prayer can start after Maghrib has been performed, as long as no more light remains in the western sky signifying the arrival of the true night.	Shema
(קריא שמע)	Dusk until dawn.



Appendix III
Islamic and Rabbinic Raka’at

Hebrew
Prayer	Jewish
Prayer Position		Islamic
Prayer Position	Islamic
Prayer
	2,4,4,3,1			2,4,4,3,4
Brochos			Fajr	
Brochos on rising				
Birchas HaTorah
Shema'
Korbanos	Stand		Ruku	1st Raka’ah
Shacharis				
Baruch She'amar
Pesukei de’zimrei	Stand		Sujud
Sujud	
VeYevarech David
Shema’
Pesukei de’zimrei	Stand		Ruku	2nd Raka’ah
Yishtabach	Stand		Sujud
Sujud	
			Suhr	
Barkhu
Shema'	Ruku		Ruku	1st Raka’ah
Avos	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
Alenu*	Ruku		Ruku	2nd Raka’ah
Modim	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
Kedusha**	Stand		Ruku	3rd Raka’ah
Avos	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
Alenu*	Ruku		Ruku	4th Raka’ah
Modim	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
			Asr	
Barkhu***	Ruku			1st Raka’ah
Minchah				
Ashrei				
Avos	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
Alenu*	Ruku		Ruku	2nd Raka’ah
Modim	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
Kedusha**	Ruku		Ruku	3rd Raka’ah
Avos	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
Alenu*	Ruku		Ruku	4th Raka’ah
Modim	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	

Appendix III
 Islamic and Rabbinic Raka’at, cont.

Ma’ariv			Maghrib	
Barkhu
Shema’	Ruku		Ruku	
1st Raka’ah
Avos	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
Alenu*	Ruku		Ruku	2nd Raka’ah
Modim	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
			Ruku	3rd Raka’ah
Ma’yin Sheva’	half-Sujud
half-Sujud		Sujud
Sujud	
			Isha'a
	
Barkhu***	Ruku		Ruku	1st Raka’ah
Shema’ al Mitah				
Shema’				
HaMapil	Stand		Sujud
Sujud	
			Ruku	2nd Raka’ah
			Sujud
Sujud	
			Ruku	3rd Raka’ah
			Sujud
Sujud	
			Ruku	4th Raka’ah
			Sujud
Sujud	


* Alenu was originally said before Retzeh, however it was banned by the Romans, and moved to the end of the prayers.

** Kedusha was originally said before the repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei said outloud.  Moved to inside the Shemoneh Esrei due to persecution from the Persian Zoroastrians. 

*** Barkhu at the end of Shacharis and Ma’ariv actually belongs to prayer that follows it.

Appendix IV
Bowing and Prostration

	Torah	3rd CE Aramaic	Rabbinic	Arabic
Rising to pray	qam	qam		qiyam
Standing prayer (as slave before master)	`amad	tzaluta	`amidah
tefilah	tzalat (salat)
Raising hands
	nisiyat kapayim
prisat kapayim	nisiyat kapayim	nisiyat kapayim[ Originally arms were raised during pesukei dizimrei.  This was discontinued when the Temple was destroyed.. This custom still survives in Jewish custom when raising hands for shema and ashrei prayer.
]	niyyat
Bowing down with hands resting on knees (expressing recognition)	bereikha	bereikha	barkhu
torah blessing	ruku
Feet, Hands and Face to ground (expressing submission)	qida	qida	four times during `amidah[ When the Temple was destroyed, in the Land of Israel qida became slight movements of knees and head. It continued in Babylon as partial prostration (the way Muslims do it today).
]  	sajda
four times each raqat
Full Prostration arms, legs spread no face to ground (after sacrifice)	hishtakhawah	sajda	- [ When the Temple sacrifices ceased, full prostration sadja no longer occurred  This caused a shift in terminology, qida took on the name sajda and khri`ah took on the name qu'ud (qida).
]	-
Kneeling, supplicating prayer	Kri`ah
hands outstretch- ed, not sitting on feet	Kri`ah
[ When the Temple was destroyed, Jews ceased to outstretch hands, although Christians retained this custom.  
]	`alenu
	qu'ud
sitting on feet
Taking leave
	shalom	shalom	oseh shalom	salaamu 'alaikum
Face to the ground (petition for forgiveness)	nifilat  apayim	nifilat  apayim	face rests on arm during tachnun[ The Rambam says that tachnun should by either qida or hishtakaveh with nefilah apaym.  This is continued where qida during shemoneh esreh was discontinued, because this prostration was not dependant on the sacrifices.  Modern custom is only to do partial prostration only on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.]	salatul tasbih



Appendix V
Comparison of Prayer Positions

Islamic Prayer
	Rabbinic Prayer
Adnan, call to prayer	
Wudu  wash hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, feet three times)	Wash hands three times
Qibla Face the direction of Mecca	Qibla Face the direction of Jerusalem
Stand erect, head down, hands at sides, feet spread, touching person next to you	Sitting or Standing
Iqama private call to prayer	Pesukei Dezimra
hymnal verses
Niyyat Express intent to perform Salaat.  Bring hands to ears, palms forward, thumbs behind earlobes	Express intent Leshem yichud before Baruch She’amar. Ashrei Prayer,
Lift hands at “Poteach et yadecha”
Qiyam Standing, Place right hand over left	
Fatiha Recite aloud the first surah of the Qur'an	
Ruk'u: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, hands on knees, back parallel to ground; look at feet	Barkhu: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, back parallel to ground; look at feet
Qauma: Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides	Rise from bending to sitting position
	Shema: Hear O’ Israel, 
the L-rd your G-d, the L-rd is One.
	Qiyam (Amidah)  Standing, Place right hand over left, feet touching
Sudjood  Prostrate, touch forehead, nose and palms to ground	Sudjood: PatriarchTake three steps back and then forward  Bend knees slightly, bend at waist until back arched.  
Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position, looking at lap. 	Rise to standing position
Sudjood  Prostrate, touch forehead, nose and palms to ground	Sudjood  Bend knees slightly, bend at waist until back is arched.  
Return to standing position recite al-Fatiha	Rise to standing position
Ruk'u: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, hands on knees, back parallel to ground; look at feet	Modim: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, back parallel to ground; look at feet
Qauma: Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides	Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides
Sudjood: Prostrate, touch forehead, nose and palms to ground	Sudjood: Bend knees slightly, bend at waist until back is arched.  
Qu'ud: Rise to sitting position, looking at lap. 	Rise to standing position
Sudjood: Prostrate again, touch forehead, nose and palms to ground	Sudjood: Bend knees slightly, bend at waist until back is arched. 
Take three steps back and then forward  
Salaamu: Prayer for peace on the family of the Prophet (pbuh) and Muslims	Sim Shalom: Prayer for peace on Israel
	Oseh Shalom: Look over left shoulder (toward angel), then the right (toward angel)
Repetition
dawn prayer: 2 raka'at 
morning prayer: 4 raka'at 
afternoon prayer: 4 raka'at 
sunset prayer: 3 raka'at
night prayer: 4 raka'at	Repetition 
dawn prayer: 1 raka'at
morning prayer: 4 raka'at[ A raka’at is a set of bending at the waist, and then two partial prostrations.  One repetition of the Shemonah Esrei contains two raka’ats.  ]
afternoon prayer: 4 raka'at 
sunset prayer: 3 raka'at[ The sunset (ma'ariv) prayer has one repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei (2 raka’ats) and Barchu after 'Alenu (1 raka’at) for a total of 3 raka’ats.]
night prayer: 1 raka'at
Salaamu 'alaikum: Look over right shoulder (toward the angel recording good deeds), then the left (angel recording wrongful deeds)	
Salatul Tasbih	Tachnun: face rests on arm during.  (Originally full prostration) 





Appendix V
Comparison of Text of Prayers

Islamic Prayer	Rabbinic Prayer
Making Takbiir
Say: Allahu Akbar.
God is the greatest	
Reciting Al-Fatihah
Recite Al-Fatihah
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds, Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment; You do we worship and Your aid we seek; Show us the straight way; The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, those whose portion is not wrath, and who go not astray.	During Barukhu
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted and extolled be the name of the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be he, who is the first and the last, and beside him there is no God. Extol ye him that manages the heavens by his name Yah, and rejoice before him. His name is exalted above all blessing and praise. Blessed be His name, whose glorious kingdom is for ever and ever. Let the name of the Lord be blessed from this time forth and for evermore.

Making Ruku
Say: Allahu Akbar, before making Ruku.
God is [the] greatest

Say: Subhana rab-biya al-Aziim (3 times)
Glory to my God, The Greatest.	Making Barukhu
Reader: Barukhu et Hashem Hamevorakh before bowing
Cong. and Reader: Barukh Hashem Hamevorakh leolam va’ed
Bless the Lord who is to be blessed.
Blessed is the Lord who is to be blessed for ever and ever.

Say: Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh (3 times) Ado-nai Tz'vaot M'lo Khol Ha'aretz K'vodo  Baruch K'vod Adonai Mim'komo, Yimloch Adonai L'Olam, Elohayich Tziyon L'dor Vador Hall'luyah
Holy, Holy, Holy, The Lord of Hosts, The entire world is filled with His Glory. Blessed is the Glory of the Lord in Its Place. The Lord shall reign forever, Your God, O Zion, from generation to generation, Hallelujah

(The kedusha prayer has developed  into Titbarakh Lenetzah, U’Va letzion and the Kedushah of Shacharit, Musaf and Mincha in the repetition of the Shemonah Esrei)

Rising from Ruku
Say: Sami Allahu liman hamidah Rab-bana wa laka al hamd
Allah listens to the one who praise Him. Our God, to You is the praise.	Rising from Baruku
Say: Barukh atah Hashem Elokeinu, melekh haolam, yotzer or u’vorei chosekh, etc.
Blessed are you, the LORD our God, King of the Universe, who forms light and creats darkness, etc.
Say: Ahavat olam ahavatanu, etc.
With abounding love hast thou loved us, etc.
 
Say: Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad, etc.
Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One, etc.

Say: Emet ve’yatziv, nachon ve’kayam, etc.
True and firm, established and enduring, etc.



Appendix V
Comparison of Text of Prayers, cont.

Making 1st Sujud
Say: Allahu Akbar, before you prostrate.
Say: Subhana rabbiya al-’A’laa (3 times)
Glory to my God, The Highest.	Making 1st Sagid
Say: Barukh atah Hashem Elokeinu, Elokei Abraham, Elokei Yitzchaq, Elokei Ya’aqov. Ha-El ha-Gadol ha-Gibur,  ha-Nora, El Eliyon.
Blessed art thou, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, the great, mighty and revered God, the most high God.
Sitting after 1st
Sujud
Say: Allahu Akbar, when you sit.
Say: Rab-bi ighfi r lee. (2 times)
My God, forgive me.	Standing after 1st
Sagid

Who bestowest lovingkindnesses, and possessest all things; who rememberest the pious deeds of the patriarchs, and in love wilt bring a redeemer to their children's children for thy name's sake. 

Making 2nd Sujud
Say: Allahu Akbar, before you prostrate again.
Say: Subhana rab-biya al-’A’laa (3 times)
Glory to my God, The Highest.	Making 2nd Sagid
Say: Melekh ozer u’moshi’a u’magen. Barukh atah Hashem magen avraham.
O King, Helper, Saviour and Shield. Blessed are you, O LORD, the Shield of Abraham.

Rising from 1st Rak’ah
Stand up, and Say: Allahu Akbar.	Rising from 1st Brokhah
Blessings and prayers: Mightiness, Sanctification, Understanding, Penitence Forgiveness Redemption Healing Blessing of the harvest, Rewarding of the righteous
Reciting Al-Fatihah
Recite Al-Fatihah.
Recite a verse/verses from the Qur’an	
Making Ruku
Say: Allahu Akbar, before making ruku.
Say: Subhana rab-biya al-Aziim (3 times)
Glory to my God, The Greatest.	Making Barukhu
Say: Yivarekhekha Adonai ve’yishmerekha / Ya’er Ado-nai panav eleikha vekhuneka / Yisa Ado-nai panav eleikha ve’yasem lekha shalom.
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD turn his face unto thee, and give thee peace.

Say: Aleinu leshabeach le-Adon hakhol, etc before making bowing.
It is incumbant on us to bow to the Lord of Hosts, etc.

(The section of prayer, calld Adnut-Kingship includedBirkhat Cohanim, Aleinu and Retzeh. This section may have also included another Barukhu and Shema’. Aleinu is still found before Retzeh in the High Holiday prayers.  Both prayers were moved to later in the service.The Rambam says some congregations added words “Behold and all the people saw and fell on theif faces, etc)



Appendix V
Comparison of Text of Prayers, cont.

Rising from Ruku
Say: Sami’ Allahu li man hamidah Rab-bana wa laka al hamd.
Allah listens to the one who praise Him. Our God, to You is the praise.	Rising from Barukhu
Say: Retzeh Hashem Elokeinu, be-‘amkha Yisrael, v’tefilatam sheah, etc.
Accept, O Lord our God, your people Israel and their prayer, etc.

Making 1st Sujud
Say: Allahu Akbar, before you prostrate. 
Say: Subhana rab-biya al-’A’laa (3 times)	Making 1st Sagid
Say: Modim anachnu lakh, etc.
We give thanks unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God and the God of our fathers for ever and ever.
Sitting after 1st Sujud
Say: Allahu Akbar, when you sit.
Say: Rab-bi ighfi r lee. (2 times)
My God, forgive me.	Sitting after 1st Sagid
Thou art the Rock of our lives, the Shield of our salvation through every generation. We will give thanks unto thee and declare thy praise for our lives which are committed unto thy hand, and for our souls which are in thy charge, and for thy miracles, which are daily with us, and for thy wonders and thy benefits, which are wrought at all times, evening, morning and noon. 

O thou who art all-good, whose mercies fail not; thou, merciful Being, whose lovingkindnesses never cease, we have ever hoped in thee.  

And everything that liveth shall give thanks unto thee for ever, and shall praise thy name in truth, O God, our salvation and our help.
Making 2nd Sujud
Say: Allahu Akbar, before you prostrate. Say: Subhana rab-biya al-’A’laa (3 times)
Glory to my God, The Highest.	Making 2nd Sujud
Say: Barukh atah Hashem, Blessed art thou, O Lord, whose name is All-good, and unto whom it is becoming to give thanks.
Sitting for Reciting Tashahhud
Sit down, and Recite the tashahhud
“All worships are for Allah. Allah’s peace be upon you, O Prophet, and His mercy and blessings; Peace be on us and on all righteous servants of Allah; I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”	Standing for Reciting Sim Shalom
Grant abundant peace unto Israel thy people for ever; for thou art the sovereign Lord of all peace; and may it be good in thy sight to bless thy people Israel at all times and in every hour with thy peace. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who blessest thy, people Israel with peace.
Making the 2 Taslimahs
Turn right and say: Assalamu Aleikum wa rahmatu Allah
Turn left and say: Assalamu Aleikum wa rahmatu Allah	Oseh Shalom
Turn left and say: Oseh shalom bimromaiv, 
Turn right and say: Hu ya’aseh shalom
Forward and say: Aleinu ve-‘al khol ‘amo Yisrael, be’imru Amen.
He who maketh peace in His high places, may He make peace for us and for all Israel, and say ye, Amen.




plural form of the word din, i.e., adyan). Instead, the Qur n refers to religious groups, such as “Jews” (al- yahTtd), “Chr'tstTans (ala^arc)),” “Sabfans (at-_§al)i’٥n)”' “Zoroastrians (al-majus.),” and “idolaters (al-mushrikun).” The reason the Qur n makes reference to these religious groups only lies in the fact that the Qur n's interest in other faiths/religious groups is, quite naturally, not of a scientific/descriptive or even purely theological purpose but rather pertains to their relations with Muslims as well as, and to the extent of, the common points between their traditions.[	Having said that, the Qur n also points to beliefs such as dualism, reincarnation, and materialism in an indirect way, without necessarily associating them with any particular faith/religious group.] It is possible to say that this has much to do with the nature of the Qur n as a holy book that was revealed (or made, if you like) gradually, in parallel to the experience and needs of the first Muslim community (thus, even universal messages are delivered within a context). This is why the Qur n does not even give a place to the beliefs and practices of the above-mentioned groups in a holistic and systematic way. And how appropriate would it be to do so, considering that religions as living faiths are not stagnant entities but rather change and diversify over time? Thus, religions, even in the Qur nic usage, seem tantamount to peoples' ways of believing and acting in the course of history. The true religion (al-din), on the other hand, is essentially identified, in the Qur n, with islam in its primary and broadest sense, i.e., the upright faith in and obedience to the one and only God as exemplified by the faith/obedience of the Prophet Abraham.[	See Q 2:135: “Say [unto them, O Muhammad]: Nay, but [we follow] the religion of Abraham (millat Ibrahim), the upright, and he was not of the idolaters,” Q 3:95: “So follow the religion of Abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters.” Q 4:125: “Who is better in religion than he who surrenders to Allah while doing good (to men) and follows the religion of Abraham?” Q 98:5: “And they are ordered naught else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men by nature upright, and to establish worship and to pay the poor due. That is true religion.”]
The fact that the Qur n does not talk about religions but religious groups, that is to say, not about Judaism (al-yahudiyyah) but about Jews (al-yahud/hud) or the people of Israel (banu Isradl), and again, not about Christianity (nasraniyyah) but about Christians (nasarti), should also be seen as the result of a general usage in that period. For this is the case in Jewish and Christian Scriptures as well. In fact, the Hebrew terms yahadut and dat yehudit, which correspond, respectively, to “Judaism” and “Jewish religion” in modern Hebrew, do not occur in the Hebrew Bible and occur just once in the Rabbinic literature, albeit in the meaning of “Jewish custom/way of life” rather than that of religion.[	Keubot-h 76 ((dat Mosbe ,^ey^ehudit).; Esther• Rabba 7:11 (yehudatan/yahadut). The term Judaism (Ioudaismos) was first used in the 2nd century BCE by the Greek-speaking Jews of Antioch to separate themselves from the Greeks who belonging to the Hellenistic culture (Hellenismos) as well as other pagans (Allofulismos). See II Maccabees 2:21; 8:1; 14:38; IV Maccabees 4:26; and Galatians 1:13-14. The term Ioudaismos was later transferred to Latin as Iudaismus and from there spread to other Western languages in the form of Judaism, Judaisme, Judaismus, Judaismo, etc.] Even in the medieval Jewish literature, it is quite rare to find the term Judaism (yahadut). Thus, this term, in the sense of the religious tradition of the Jews, seems to find a common usage only in modern Jewish literature. In the Hebrew Bible, which similarly lacks a word corresponding to religion, a mention is made of peoples (goyim/ camim) instead of religions. Again, reference is made to the term torah as the teaching/law of Moses that the people of Israel are obliged to obey, as well as several terms meaning “law/rule/judgment” (huqa, mishpat, dat, din)[	Although in modern Hebrew, the word dat means “religion,” in the Hebrew Bible, it carries the meaning “law.” Again, the Biblical word din means “judgment/decision.”] that, unlike the term torah, are used for other peoples as well. Thus, in Jewish tradition, the teaching of the people of Israel/Jews is indicated by the term torah, which is also the name of the book given to the Prophet Moses and the entire written and oral tradition in its broader sense.or Jews.
Quotes from Scripture
The first reference to Jews chronologically in the Qur’an appears to be in the form of alladhlna utu l-kitab, meaning those who have been revealed to or given the book. This phrase and its corAs mentioned earlier, according to the chronological order of the Qur n, the first reference to Jews is made in SOrat al-Muddaththir from the Meccan period:
And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for unbeiievers, in order that those who k^c^t^e been given the Book (allc^c^k^T^r^a tttft 1-ki.tab) may arrive at certainty, and the beiievers may increase in faith, and that no doubts may be left for those who have been given the Book and the believers ... (Q 74:31)
In this passage, there is mention of some three groups: 1) those who reject the Prophet and his monotheistic message (Unbelievers), 2) those who accept the Prophet and his message (Believers), and 3) those who have been given the book (People of the Book). The passage, which has obviously a positive context, makes reference to the people of the book as a group standing between believers and unbelievers, but somewhere closer to the former. And this is the case in other passages, where the phrases alladhina yaqra’una l-kitab and ahl al-dhikrare usedin the example of the Jews, were placed closer to Arab idolaters because of their common ideology and attitude toward Muslims:
It is never the wish of those who disbelieve among the People of the Book, nor of the tdoliters, that anything good should come down to you from your Lord. But Allah will choose for His special mercy whom He will, for Allah is Lord of grace abounding. (Q 2:105)
Many of the People of the Book wish they could turn you (people) back to infidelity after you have believed, from selfish envy, after the truth has become manifest unto them. But forgive and overlook, till Allah accomplish His purpose; for Allah has power over all things. (Q 2:109)
It is the wish of a party of thePeople of the Book to lead you astray. But they shall lead astray [not you], but themselves, and they do not perceive! (Q 3:69)
O you who believe! Take not for friends those who take your religion for a mockery or sport whether among those who received the Book before you, or among the disbelievers. But keep your duty to Allah if you are true believers. (Q 5:57)
However, it is important to note that there is no generalization in the criticism leveled on the people of the book in the above-quoted verses. Despite that the plural language is sometimes used and that it is apparently Jews who arAgain, in the accounts of the Sinai covenant and the preference (or election) of the people of Israel by God over other peoples, as told in the same surahs, one can find a similar difference of style.

In fact, this difference in both content and style indicates that the mention of the people of Israel in the Meccan and Medinan sOrahs aims at different purposes. In the Meccan sOrahs, the people of Israel are mentioned, for the most part, with reference to their struggle with Pharaoh in the name of God (tawhld) and as a people living a persecuted life due to their monotheistic faith. Thus, they are presented as precursors of early Muslims, i.e., the followers of the Prophet Mui ammad, who also happen to be struggling with idolatrous Arabs. Muslims are reminded in this way that the people of Israel were eventually rescued and exalted by God, and so would be Muslims.f peace.
Concluding Remarks
When looking at the Qur nic verses on the Jews/people of Israel and the people of the book overall, there are two points that need to be emphasized: (1) Firstly, the content and style of these verses change, somewhat gradually, from the ideal and neutral, even positive, to the actual and negative; this is due to the experience Muslims had with Arab idolaters as well as Jews in the Meccan and Medinan periods, respectively. (2) Secondly, and in parallel to the first point, the main criticism of the Qur n against the Jews seems to be less about the matters of pure belief and religious practice than the hostile attitude of the Jews of Medina toward a monotheistic Prophet and his followers, as well as their concomitant arguments, avior. In other words, the language of criticism employed in the Qur n seems to be dependent on the actual context and thus aims at the language of debate/ridicule and rivalry on the part of the Jews. Accordingly, the Jews who are mentioned negatively in the Qur n are not a peaceful group who, though they do not recognize the prophethood of Mui am Jews.
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