In the mesmerising image painted by the Quran from the backstage of this existence, we find every aspect of this world in prostration[1] and glorification of God[2]. In this scene, all that is in the heavens and the earth, even their shadows[3], are prostrating with utmost humility. And thus, in this way, we are presented with their submission to the will of God.
In this book, those who prostrate, or in other words the submissive ones before God[4], are divided into two groups[5]. One group includes the creatures that have been placed involuntarily in a pre-determined path and had no choice but to submit. The other group includes those, who like the believers, have consciously chosen to bow down before the divine will and obey His command.
The Quran speaks of another categorisation as well[6], according to which, all that is on the heavens and the earth including the sun, moon, starts, trees, animals, and many of the humans, are all assigned to the group who prostrate themselves before God. The alternative category, will consist of people who due to their refusal for prostrating, will suffer an imminent punishment.
All these points convey the importance and key role of bowing before God as a requirement for acquiring His special mercy[7]. This is requested from a generous Creator, who whilst free of any need[8] or benefit of other’s reverence, invites His servants out of compassion to pray and supplicate[9]. This is so that they keep the path to receiving God’s grace open, by avoiding pride or arrogance from blocking it[10].
Although the place of submission and humility is within the heart[11], any truth that finds its way to it will reveal its effects on other areas. This is just as the external behaviour strengthens or weakens our internal state. Thus, the Quran repeatedly asks its audience to express their feelings and beliefs towards God with all their being in every action and state.
The act of bowing (ruku) means bending as much as the hands reach the knees, and prostration (sajdah) means bending down to the point where the forehead rests on the ground. These are one of the pillars of Islam and numerous verses from the Quran show that these actions[12], just as reciting the Holy Book, were part of the prayer in past religions[13] and is necessary for it to remain in the worship of the truth-seekers[14].
The followers of all Islamic schools agree on the generalities of fulfilling these two pillars and consider it obligatory to recite the glorification of God while bowing in ruku. This is in addition to standing upright to go into prostration and recite the glorification, followed by sitting and then going into another prostration. All these actions performed alongside the recitation of the Quran while standing are considered as one “rak’a” of prayer.
There is also a collective agreement that the best “dhikr” (statement/ remembrance) to say whilst bowing in ruku is “سبحان ربي العظیم” (subhana rabbiyal atheem)[15] and while prostrating is “سبحان ربي الأعلی” (subhana rabbiyal-a’laa)[16]. Nevertheless, according to the Quran’s command to frequently recite dhikr[17], it is better to recite these statements at least three times. Also, considering the recommendations of this book, regarding the accompanying of the dhikr of prostrations with praise[18], the phrase of “و بحمده” (wa be’ ham’deh) should also be added.
These movements, and resting of the forehead on the ground, if performed with concentration and mindfulness of God’s magnificence, grandeur, and His nature as being the only flawless reality for the whole of existence to rely on, we will see the manifestation of the true worship within our souls[19]. Furthermore, it will increase our power and motivation to move towards good things[20] and stay away from false and futile adorations[21]. To an extent that with each prostration a new step will be taken on the path towards perfection[22].
Next: Testimony of faith and concluding salutation of peace
Previous: The Chapter of Praise
Islamic Library: Introduction to Islam
[1] . Quran 16: 49:
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
And whatever is in the skies and whatever is in the earth, whether animals and angels, prostrate before Allah and they do not pride.
[2] . Quran 62: 1:
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah, the Sovereign, the Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
[3] . Quran 13: 15:
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَالُهُم بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ
And whoever is in the skies and the earth prostrates for Allah willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.
[4] . Quran 3: 83:
أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ اللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
Is it then other than the religion of Allah that they seek? And to Him submits whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and unto Him they shall be returned.
[5] . Quran 13: 15:
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَالُهُم بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ
And whoever is in the skies and on the earth prostrates for Allah willingly or unwillingly.
[6] . Quran 22: 18:
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ وَالنُّجُومُ وَالْجِبَالُ وَالشَّجَرُ وَالدَّوَابُّ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ النَّاسِ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَذَابُ وَمَن يُهِنِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ
Have you not seen that to Allah prostrates whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth, and the sun and the moon, and the stars and the mountains and the trees and animals, and many of the people? But a great number are also such as unto whom the chastisement is justly due; and whomsoever Allah abases, there is none for him to honour; verily Allah does whatever He pleases.
[7] . Quran 3: 74:
يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
He specially chooses for His mercy whom He pleases; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
[8] . Quran 6: 133:
وَرَبُّكَ الْغَنِيُّ ذُو الرَّحْمَةِ
And your Lord is Self-Sufficient and the Lord of Mercy.
[9] . Quran 7: 55:
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً
Call your Lord humbly and secretly.
[10] . Quran 16: 23:
إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ
Verily Allah does not like the arrogant.
[11] . Quran 8: 2:
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
Verily believers are those who when Allah is mentioned, their hearts quake, and when His Signs are recited to them, it increases them in faith, and their Lord alone do they trust.
[12] . Quran 22: 26:
وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ مَكَانَ الْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئًا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْقَائِمِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ
And when We prepared for Abraham the place of the House, so: “Do not associate anything with Me, and sanctify My House for those who make the round and stand to pray and bow and prostrate themselves”.
[13] . Quran 3: 43:
يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
O Mary, worship your Lord devoutly and prostrate yourself and bow down with those who bow.
[14] . Quran 2: 43:
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
And establish the prayer, and pay the zakat, and bow down in prayer with those who bow down.
[15] . Quran 56: 74:
فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ
Then glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Glorified.
[16] . Quran 87: 1:
سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى
Praise the name of your Lord, the Highest.
[17] . Quran 33: 41:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا
O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance.
[18] . Quran 15: 98:
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
Therefore, celebrate the praise of your Lord, and be of those who make prostration.
[19] . Quran 53: 62:
فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا
Thus, fall in prostration to Allah and worship Him.
[20] . Quran 22: 77:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who believe, bow down and prostrate yourselves and worship your Lord, and do good; that you may reach salvation.
[21] . Quran 41: 37:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ لَا تَسْجُدُوا لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
And from His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate yourselves not to the sun nor to the moon but prostrate yourselves to Allah Who created them if you worship Him.
[22] . Quran 96: 19:
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِب
Nay, obey him not but prostrate yourself and draw near (to Allah).