The reality of invocation is not only calling out or supplicating...
The reality of invocation is not only calling out or supplicating, rather it is only one of its facets. Invocation, in reality, suggests the calling out the invoked one by the one who invokes to attract the attention of the former. And when it is coupled with calling out, it is termed as ‘dua’ (supplication). But as the word ‘Salat’ is non-transitive, i.e. it is not in need of an object, it connotes sheer attention of one to another, without him expecting that person to pay attention to him.
Therefore, the literal meanings of this expression indicate that Salat is an attention that is accompanied with softness, respect and following. The word ‘Salat’ has been used in this very meaning in the Holy Qur’an and tradition. Like in the verse, إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلاَئِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ “Surely Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet.” (Qur’an, 33:56) where the blessings of Allah upon the Prophet (‘s) have been supplemented with the blessings of the angels.
Similarly, in another verse, وَمَا كَانَ صَلاَتُهُمْ عِندَ الْبَيْتِ إِلاَّ مُكَاءً وَ تَصْدِيَةً “Their (polytheists) prayers in the Ka’ba was nothing but whistling and clapping of hands.” (Qur’an, 8:35) In still another verse, the Holy Qur’an declares, هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلاَئِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ “He is the One who turns towards you and so do His angels that He may bring you out from the darkness to light.” (Qur’an, 33:43) Yet another verse commands the Holy Prophet (‘s), وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إنَّ صَلاَتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَهُمْ.
“And turn your attention towards them. Certainly your attention provides them comfort.” (Qur’an, 9:103) The salawat sent by the Muslims on the Prophet (‘s) and his progeny (‘a), which incidentally is the most oft-uttered dhikr in Islam, is another evidence to support our view.
Therefore, it is clear that the Salat of Allah, His angels and the Muslims on the Holy Prophet (‘s) and his pure progeny (‘a), and similarly the Salat of the polytheists in the Ka’ba and the Salat of Allah’s Messenger on the Muslims while taking charity from them, none comprised of prostration, bowing or other essential elements of the daily ritual prayers in them.
Another proof is this famous slogan that was used in the early period of Islam to call the society towards Allah’s religion, “ الصَّلاَةُ جَامِعَةً ” which is the Arabic equivalent of ‘your attention please,’ when you want to draw the attention of others to a very important matter.