ABSTRACT
People spoke of praying as embodied knowledge; a knowledge that can be personally transformative as it is practiced, contributing to one's always-emerging identity as a faithful person. Some talked about prayer as a way to generate community-level change, or as a persona, a response to present-day threats such as economic instability or violence. The relationship between beliefs and practices is not circular but a continuing dialogue of building on each other. Rougie, Rama, Ismaï la, and others spoke about the importance of prayer in general, but also how prayers, in all their forms and throughout the day, enhance their experience of their faith. Islam teaches that devotional practices focus an otherwise cluttered or unfocused mind. Along with dhikr, each Sufi order thus has a wird, a selection of prayers said regularly that may be specific to that tariqa, or may be shared with other orders.
