Virtues of Sijdah

Sijdah is a form of humility and one of the greatest acts of worship done only to Allah and Him alone – no one else. He is the only one worthy of being prostrated to – He is the Creator, the Sustainer and to Him is our return. Allah says in Sura An Najm:

فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّـهِ وَاعْبُدُوا

“So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].” Sura An Najm 62

Everything that is in the Heavens and the Earth prostrates to Allah SWT.

 تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّمَاوَاتُ السَّبْعُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا 

“The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving” [al-Isra’ 17:44].

Also in Sura Nahl Allah says

وَلِلَّـهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ 

“And to Allaah prostrate all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, of the moving (living) creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allah) with humility]” [al-Nahl 16:49].

THERE IS NO SPACE IN THE HEAVENS THE WIDTH OF FOUR FINGERS BUT THERE IS AN ANGEL THERE PROSTRATING TO ALLAH

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، أَنْبَأَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَنْبَأَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُهَاجِرٍ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ مُوَرِّقٍ الْعِجْلِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ إِنِّي أَرَى مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ وَأَسْمَعُ مَا لاَ تَسْمَعُونَ إِنَّ السَّمَاءَ أَطَّتْ وَحُقَّ لَهَا أَنْ تَئِطَّ مَا فِيهَا مَوْضِعُ أَرْبَعِ أَصَابِعَ إِلاَّ وَمَلَكٌ وَاضِعٌ جَبْهَتَهُ سَاجِدًا لِلَّهِ ‏.‏ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا أَعْلَمُ لَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلاً وَلَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا وَمَا تَلَذَّذْتُمْ بِالنِّسَاءِ عَلَى الْفُرُشَاتِ وَلَخَرَجْتُمْ إِلَى الصُّعُدَاتِ تَجْأَرُونَ إِلَى اللَّهِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَاللَّهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي كُنْتُ شَجَرَةً تُعْضَدُ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

I see what you do not see, and I hear what you do not hear. The heaven is creaking and it should creak, for there is no space in it the width of four fingers but there is an angel there, prostrating to Allah. By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much, and you would never enjoy women in your beds, and you would go out in the streets, beseeching Allah.’” Sunan Ibn Majah

Prostration is a form of humility, so the prostration of all creatures implies the greatest possible submission and humility. The prostration of humans is different from the prostration of other creatures – which is done with seven parts of the body. Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا بَهْزٌ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَسْجُدَ عَلَى سَبْعَةِ أَعْظُمٍ الْجَبْهَةِ – وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى أَنْفِهِ – وَالْيَدَيْنِ وَالرِّجْلَيْنِ وَأَطْرَافِ الْقَدَمَيْنِ وَلاَ نَكْفِتَ الثِّيَابَ وَلاَ الشَّعْرَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

I have been commanded to prostrate myself on seven bones:” forehead,” and then pointed with his hand towards his nose, hands, feet, and the extremities of the feet; and we were forbidden to fold back clothing and hair. Sahih Muslim 490 d

SUN PROSTRATES TO ALLAH

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ـ هُوَ التَّيْمِيُّ ـ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم جَالِسٌ، فَلَمَّا غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ ‏”‏ يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ هَلْ تَدْرِي أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ هَذِهِ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالَ قُلْتُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏”‏ فَإِنَّهَا تَذْهَبُ تَسْتَأْذِنُ فِي السُّجُودِ فَيُؤْذَنُ لَهَا، وَكَأَنَّهَا قَدْ قِيلَ لَهَا ارْجِعِي مِنْ حَيْثُ جِئْتِ‏.‏ فَتَطْلُعُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا ‏”‏‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ‏{‏ذَلِكَ مُسْتَقَرٌّ لَهَا‏}‏ فِي قِرَاءَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‏.‏

Narrated Abu Dharr: I entered the mosque while Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was sitting there. When the sun had set, the Prophet (PBUH) said, “O Abu Dharr! Do you know where this (sun) goes?” I said, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” He said, “It goes and asks permission to prostrate, and it is allowed, and (one day) it, as if being ordered to return whence it came, then it will rise from the west.” Then the Prophet (PBUH) recited, “That: “And the sun runs on its fixed course (for a term decreed),” (36.38) as it is recited by `Abdullah.Sahih al-Bukhari 7424

حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى ‏{‏وَالشَّمْسُ تَجْرِي لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَهَا‏}‏ قَالَ ‏”‏ مُسْتَقَرُّهَا تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Dharr: I asked the Prophet (PBUH) about the Statement of Allah:– ‘And the sun runs on fixed course for a term (decreed), ‘ (36.38) He said, “Its course is underneath “Allah’s Throne.” (Prostration of Sun trees, stars. mentioned in Qur’an and Hadith does not mean like our prostration but it means that these objects are obedient to their Creator (Allah) and they obey for what they have been created for).Sahih al-Bukhari 4803

QURAISH THREW CAMEL INTESTINES ON THE BACK OF THE PROPHET (PBUH) WHILE HE WAS IN PROSTRATION

In the early days of our Prophet (PBUH)’s mission in Makkah the Quraish threw camel intestines on his back while he was in prostration in front of the Kaaba. What happened later is known to the world – none of those who participated in this evil act would accept Islam due to the du’a of the Prophet (PBUH).

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَاجِدٌ ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُرَيْحُ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ مَسْعُودٍ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ، وَأَبُو جَهْلٍ وَأَصْحَابٌ لَهُ جُلُوسٌ، إِذْ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَيُّكُمْ يَجِيءُ بِسَلَى جَزُورِ بَنِي فُلاَنٍ فَيَضَعُهُ عَلَى ظَهْرِ مُحَمَّدٍ إِذَا سَجَدَ فَانْبَعَثَ أَشْقَى الْقَوْمِ فَجَاءَ بِهِ، فَنَظَرَ حَتَّى إِذَا سَجَدَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَضَعَهُ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَنْظُرُ، لاَ أُغَيِّرُ شَيْئًا، لَوْ كَانَ لِي مَنْعَةٌ‏.‏ قَالَ فَجَعَلُوا يَضْحَكُونَ وَيُحِيلُ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ، وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَاجِدٌ لاَ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ، حَتَّى جَاءَتْهُ فَاطِمَةُ، فَطَرَحَتْ عَنْ ظَهْرِهِ، فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏”‏ اللَّهُمَّ عَلَيْكَ بِقُرَيْشٍ ‏”‏‏.‏ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، فَشَقَّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِذْ دَعَا عَلَيْهِمْ ـ قَالَ وَكَانُوا يُرَوْنَ أَنَّ الدَّعْوَةَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْبَلَدِ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ ـ ثُمَّ سَمَّى ‏”‏ اللَّهُمَّ عَلَيْكَ بِأَبِي جَهْلٍ، وَعَلَيْكَ بِعُتْبَةَ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ، وَشَيْبَةَ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ، وَالْوَلِيدِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، وَأُمَيَّةَ بْنِ خَلَفٍ، وَعُقْبَةَ بْنِ أَبِي مُعَيْطٍ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَعَدَّ السَّابِعَ فَلَمْ يَحْفَظْهُ قَالَ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ الَّذِينَ عَدَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَرْعَى فِي الْقَلِيبِ قَلِيبِ بَدْرٍ‏.‏

Narrated `Abdullah: While Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was prostrating (as stated below).

Narrated `Abdullah bin Mas`ud: Once the Prophet (PBUH) was offering prayers at the Ka`ba. Abu Jahl was sitting with some of his companions. One of them said to the others, “Who amongst you will bring the Abdominal contents (intestines, etc.) of a camel of Bani so and so and put it on the back of Muhammad, when he prostrates?” The most unfortunate of them got up and brought it. He waited till the Prophet (PBUH) prostrated and then placed it on his back between his shoulders. I was watching but could not do anything. I wish I had some people with me to hold out against them. They started laughing and falling on one another. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was in prostration and he did not lift his head up till Fatima (Prophet’s daughter) came and threw that (camel’s Abdominal contents) away from his back. He raised his head and said thrice, “O Allah! Punish Quraish.” So it was hard for Abu Jahl and his companions when the Prophet invoked Allah against them as they had a conviction that the prayers and invocations were accepted in this city (Mecca). The Prophet (PBUH) said, “O Allah! Punish Abu Jahl, `Utba bin Rabi`a, Shaiba bin Rabi`a, Al-Walid bin `Utba, Umaiya bin Khalaf, and `Uqba bin Al Mu’it [??] (and he mentioned the seventh whose name I cannot recall). By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, I saw the dead bodies of those persons who were counted by Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) in the Qalib (one of the wells) of Badr. Sahih al-Bukhari 240

MAGICIANS FALL IN PROSTRATION AFTER ACCEPTING ISLAM IN FRONT OF PHARAOH

When Musa AS threw his stick in front of Pharaoh and the magicians, the stick turned into a snake and swallowed up all of the magician’s ropes. The magicians then accepted Islam, which was a sure sign of inviting death due to the way Pharaoh dealt with people who opposed him – but they were steadfast, resolute.

Allah says in Sura Ash Shu’ara

 فَأَلْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ 

فَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سَاجِدِينَ 

قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ 

(45. Then Musa threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all that they falsely showed!) (46. And the sorcerers fell down prostrate.) (47. Saying: “We believe in the Lord of Al-`Alamin.”) (48. “The Lord of Musa and Harun.”)

The fury of Pharaoh did not take long to appear, as is mentioned in ayah 49 of the same surah

[Pharaoh] said, “You believed him [i.e., Moses] before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all.”

THOSE WHO DO NOT PROSTRATE IN THIS WORLD WILL BE UNABLE TO PROSTRATE ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

In Sura Qalam Allah says

يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ 

(The Day when the Shin shall be laid bare and they shall be called to prostrate themselves, but they shall not be able to do so.) meaning, the Day of Judgment and the horrors, earthquakes, trials, tests and great matters that will occur during it. Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said that he heard the Prophet saying,

« يَكْشِفُ رَبُّنَا عَنْ سَاقِهِ، فَيَسْجُدُ لَهُ كُلُّ مُؤْمِنٍ وَمُؤْمِنَةٍ، وَيَبْقَى مَنْ كَانَ يَسْجُدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا رِيَاءً وَسُمْعَةً، فَيَذْهَبُ لِيَسْجُدَ، فَيَعُودُ ظَهْرُهُ طَبَقًا وَاحِدًا »

(Our Lord will reveal His Shin, and every believing male and female will prostrate to Him. The only people who will remain standing are those who prostrated in the worldly life only to be seen and heard (showing off). This type of person will try to prostrate at that time, but his back will made to be one stiff plate (the bone will not bend or flex).)” This Hadith was recorded in the Two Sahihs and other books from different routes of transmission with various wordings. It is a long Hadith that is very popular. Concerning Allah’s statement,

خَاشِعَةً أَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌۖ 

(Their eyes will be cast down and ignominy will cover them;) means, in the final abode, due to their crimes and arrogance in the worldly life.

Thus, they will be punished with the opposite of what they did. When they were called to prostrate in the worldly life, they refused to do so even though they were healthy and secure. Therefore, they will be punished with the lack of ability to do so in the Hereafter. When the Almighty Lord makes Himself visible (before the believers), then the believers will fall down in prostration to Him, but no one of the disbelievers and hypocrites will be able to prostrate. rather, their backs will become one plate. Every time one of them attempts to prostrate, he will bow his neck but will not be able to prostrate. This is just like in the life of this world, when these people were in opposition to what the believers were doing.

THE ANGELS BOW DOWN TO ADAM (AS)

When Allah created Adam (AS), He asked the angels to bow down before Adam (AS). This prostration was an act of greeting and honor, not worship. It was an act of worship towards Allah SWT on their part, because they were obeying Allah. The prostration of Yousuf’s (AS) parents and brothers was also a prostration of greeting and honoring, permissible according to the law (of Allah) at that time. But according to the sharia brought by Muhammad (PBUH), it is not permissible to prostrate to anyone at all except Allah.

SIJDAH IS A MEANS OF NEARNESS TO ALLAH: WE NEED TO MAKE DUA TO ALLAH IN SUJOOD

Sijdah is a means of nearness to Allah according to our Prophet (PBUH)

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ فَأَكْثِرُوا الدُّعَاءَ

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The servant is closest to his Lord during prostration, so increase your supplications therein.” Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 482

In Sura Alaq Allah says

۩   كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِب 

“No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah]. “ Sura Alaq 19

Allah raises status due to sujood:

حَدَّثَنَا الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ الْمُرِّيِّ، عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ مَيْسَرَةَ بْنِ حَلْبَسٍ، عَنِ الصُّنَابِحِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَسْجُدُ لِلَّهِ سَجْدَةً إِلاَّ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهَا حَسَنَةً وَمَحَا عَنْهُ بِهَا سَيِّئَةً وَرَفَعَ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً فَاسْتَكْثِرُوا مِنَ السُّجُودِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from ‘Ubadah bin Samit that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say:“No one prostrates to Allah but Allah will record one Hasanah (good reward) for him, and will erase thereby one bad deed and raise him in status one degree. So prostrate a great deal.” Sunan Ibn Majah

ON JUDGMENT DAY THE PROPHET (PBUH) WILL COME TO UNDER THE THRONE TO FALL PROSTRATING BEFORE ALLAH

حَدَّثَنِي مُعَاذُ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ يَجْمَعُ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كَذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُونَ لَوِ اسْتَشْفَعْنَا إِلَى رَبِّنَا حَتَّى يُرِيحَنَا مِنْ مَكَانِنَا هَذَا‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَ آدَمَ فَيَقُولُونَ يَا آدَمُ أَمَا تَرَى النَّاسَ خَلَقَكَ اللَّهُ بِيَدِهِ وَأَسْجَدَ لَكَ مَلاَئِكَتَهُ وَعَلَّمَكَ أَسْمَاءَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ، شَفِّعْ لَنَا إِلَى رَبِّنَا حَتَّى يُرِيحَنَا مِنْ مَكَانِنَا هَذَا‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكَ ـ وَيَذْكُرُ لَهُمْ خَطِيئَتَهُ الَّتِي أَصَابَ ـ وَلَكِنِ ائْتُوا نُوحًا، فَإِنَّهُ أَوَّلُ رَسُولٍ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى أَهْلِ الأَرْضِ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَ نُوحًا فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ ـ وَيَذْكُرُ خَطِيئَتَهُ الَّتِي أَصَابَ ـ وَلَكِنِ ائْتُوا إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلَ الرَّحْمَنِ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ ـ وَيَذْكُرُ لَهُمْ خَطَايَاهُ الَّتِي أَصَابَهَا ـ وَلَكِنِ ائْتُوا مُوسَى عَبْدًا أَتَاهُ اللَّهُ التَّوْرَاةَ وَكَلَّمَهُ تَكْلِيمًا ـ فَيَأْتُونَ مُوسَى فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ ـ وَيَذْكُرُ لَهُمْ خَطِيئَتَهُ الَّتِي أَصَابَ ـ وَلَكِنِ ائْتُوا عِيسَى عَبْدَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولَهُ وَكَلِمَتَهُ وَرُوحَهُ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَ عِيسَى فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ وَلَكِنِ ائْتُوا مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم عَبْدًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونِي فَأَنْطَلِقُ فَأَسْتَأْذِنُ عَلَى رَبِّي فَيُؤْذَنُ لِي عَلَيْهِ، فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي وَقَعْتُ لَهُ سَاجِدًا فَيَدَعُنِي مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَدَعَنِي ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لِي ارْفَعْ مُحَمَّدُ، وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَهْ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ‏.‏ فَأَحْمَدُ رَبِّي بِمَحَامِدَ عَلَّمَنِيهَا، ثُمَّ أَشْفَعُ فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا فَأُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ، ثُمَّ أَرْجِعُ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي وَقَعْتُ سَاجِدًا، فَيَدَعُنِي مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَدَعَنِي ثُمَّ يُقَالُ ارْفَعْ مُحَمَّدُ، وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَهْ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ، فَأَحْمَدُ رَبِّي بِمَحَامِدَ عَلَّمَنِيهَا رَبِّي ثُمَّ أَشْفَعُ فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا فَأُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ، ثُمَّ أَرْجِعُ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي وَقَعْتُ سَاجِدًا، فَيَدَعُنِي مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَدَعَنِي ثُمَّ يُقَالُ ارْفَعْ مُحَمَّدُ، قُلْ يُسْمَعْ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَهْ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ، فَأَحْمَدُ رَبِّي بِمَحَامِدَ عَلَّمَنِيهَا، ثُمَّ أَشْفَعُ فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا فَأُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ، ثُمَّ أَرْجِعُ فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ مَا بَقِيَ فِي النَّارِ إِلاَّ مَنْ حَبَسَهُ الْقُرْآنُ وَوَجَبَ عَلَيْهِ الْخُلُودُ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ‏.‏ وَكَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ مَا يَزِنُ شَعِيرَةً، ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ‏.‏ وَكَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ مَا يَزِنُ بُرَّةً، ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ‏.‏ وَكَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مَا يَزِنُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ ذَرَّةً ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Allah will gather the believers on the Day of Resurrection in the same way (as they are gathered in this life), and they will say, ‘Let us ask someone to intercede for us with our Lord that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Then they will go to Adam and say, ‘O Adam! Don’t you see the people (people’s condition)? Allah created you with His Own Hands and ordered His angels to prostrate before you, and taught you the names of all the things. Please intercede for us with our Lord so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Adam will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking’ and mention to them the mistakes he had committed, and add, “But you d better go to Noah as he was the first Apostle sent by Allah to the people of the Earth.’ They will go to Noah who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention the mistake which he made, and add, ‘But you’d better go to Abraham, Khalil Ar-Rahman.’ They will go to Abraham who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention to them the mistakes he made, and add, ‘But you’d better go to Moses, a slave whom Allah gave the Torah and to whom He spoke directly’ They will go to Moses who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention to them the mistakes he made, and add, ‘You’d better go to Jesus, Allah’s slave and His Apostle and His Word (Be: And it was) and a soul created by Him.’ They will go to Jesus who will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking, but you’d better go to Muhammad whose sins of the past and the future had been forgiven (by Allah).’ So they will come to me and I will ask the permission of my Lord, and I will be permitted (to present myself) before Him. When I see my Lord, I will fall down in (prostration) before Him and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then it will be said to me, ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then raise my head and praise my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me, and then I will intercede. Allah will allow me to intercede (for a certain kind of people) and will fix a limit whom I will admit into Paradise. I will come back again, and when I see my Lord (again), I will fall down in prostration before Him, and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then He will say, ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then praise my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me, and then I will intercede. Allah will allow me to intercede (for a certain kind of people) and will fix a limit to whom I will admit into Paradise, I will return again, and when I see my Lord, I will fall down (in prostration) and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then He will say, ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then praise my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me, and then I will intercede. Allah will allow me to intercede (for a certain kind of people) and will fix a limit to whom I will admit into Paradise. I will come back and say, ‘O my Lord! None remains in Hell (Fire) but those whom Qur’an has imprisoned therein and for whom eternity in Hell (Fire) has become inevitable.’ ” The Prophet (PBUH) added, “There will come out of Hell (Fire) everyone who says: ‘La ilaha illal-lah,’ and has in his heart good equal to the weight of a barley grain. Then there will come out of Hell (Fire) everyone who says: ‘ La ilaha illal-lah,’ and has in his heart good equal to the weight of a wheat grain. Then there will come out of Hell (Fire) everyone who says: ‘La ilaha illal-lah,’ and has in his heart good equal to the weight of an atom (or a smallest ant). Sahih al-Bukhari 7410

RABI’AH IBN K’AB AL-ASLAMI (RA)

One of the close companions of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was Rabi’ah ibn K’ab. He was devoted to the service of the Prophet (PBUH). One day the Prophet (PBUH) called him and said, “Ask of me anything and I will give it to you.”

I thought a little and then said: “Give me some time, O Messenger of Allah, to think about what I should ask of you. Then I will let you know.” He agreed.

‘O Messenger of Allah,” I said, “I ask you to beseech Allah most High on my behalf to make me your companion in Jannah”

Who has advised you thus? Asked the Prophet (PBUH)

“No one, by Allah. No one has advised me. I thought of asking for something of the goodness of the world. But before long, I was guided to choose what is permanent and lasting against what is temporary and perishable. And so I have asked you to beseech Allah on my behalf that I may be your companion in Jannah.”

The Prophet (PBUH) remained silent for a long while and then asked: “Any other request besides that, Rabi’ah?”

No, O Messenger of Allah, nothing can match what I have asked you.

Then, in that case, assist me for your sake by performing much prostration to Allah.

SIJDAH MAKES THE FACE GLOW

Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad narrates:

I was once in the Smithsonian space museum when a doctor approached me.

He started talking to me. He mentioned that the Muslims who do a lot of worship have glow on their face.

I replied yes, they do, they have the glow of piety.

He replied that there is a reason for this.

I asked him the reason.

He replied that blood reaches the organs of a human below the heart with ease. It is difficult for the blood to reach parts above the heart. That is why, the head does not get the amount of flooded blood it should get. When the Muslims pray and prostrate – in this position the head and face is below the heart. This is the only way that the blood can flood the face. When you do a long prostration, you can feel the blood in your face. I replied, yes you can. He then said, it is this circulation of blood daily that makes the face fresh.

SUJOOD AL-TILAAWAH AND WHAT TO SAY IN SUJOOD

Sujood al-tilaawah, whether during prayer or outside of it, is Sunnah, not obligatory. This is the prostration required when reading certain verses of the Qur’an. It is not essential to have wudu for sujood al-tilawah. If the sujood is done during prayer, then it is obligatory to say takbeer when going down. The same zikr and du’a are prescribed in sujood al-tilawaah as in the prostration during prayer. Among these du’a are:

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَمْرٍو الأَنْصَارِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأُمَوِيُّ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْفَضْلِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَانَ إِذَا سَجَدَ قَالَ ‏ “‏ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ أَنْتَ رَبِّي سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي شَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from ‘Ali that whenever the Prophet (PBUH) prostrated he would say:

“Allahumma laka sajadtu, wa bika amantu, wa laka aslamtu, Anta rabbi, sajada wajhi lilladhi shaqqa sam’ahu wa basarahu, tabarak Allah ahsanul-khaliqin (O Allah, to You I have prostrated, and in You I have believed, and to You I have submitted. You are my Lord; my face has prostrated to the One Who gave it hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah the best of Creators).”* Sunan Ibn Majah

In another narration, this is the du’a that the Prophet (PBUH) used to say in sujood:

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ بْنِ خُنَيْسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي يَزِيدَ، قَالَ قَالَ لِي ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ يَا حَسَنُ أَخْبَرَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي يَزِيدَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُنِي اللَّيْلَةَ وَأَنَا نَائِمٌ كَأَنِّي أُصَلِّي خَلْفَ شَجَرَةٍ فَسَجَدْتُ فَسَجَدَتِ الشَّجَرَةُ لِسُجُودِي فَسَمِعْتُهَا وَهِيَ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبْ لِي بِهَا عِنْدَكَ أَجْرًا وَضَعْ عَنِّي بِهَا وِزْرًا وَاجْعَلْهَا لِي عِنْدَكَ ذُخْرًا وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْتَهَا مِنْ عَبْدِكَ دَاوُدَ ‏.‏ قَالَ الْحَسَنُ قَالَ لِي ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ قَالَ لِي جَدُّكَ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَقَرَأَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَجْدَةً ثُمَّ سَجَدَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَسَمِعْتُهُ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ مِثْلَ مَا أَخْبَرَهُ الرَّجُلُ عَنْ قَوْلِ الشَّجَرَةِ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ ‏.

Al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Ubaidullah bin Abi Yazid said:

Ibn Juraij said to me: O Hasan! Ubaidullah bin Abi Yazid informed me that Ibn Abbas said: “A man came to the Prophet and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I had a dream at night while I was sleeping in which I was praying behind a tree, when I prostrated the tree prostrated along with me. Then I heard it saying: (Allahummaktuh li biha indaka ajran, wad a anni biha wizran, waj’alha li biha indaka dhukhran, wa taqabbalha minni kama taqabbaltaha min abdiki Dawud.)” (O Allah! Record for me, a reward with You for it, remove a sin for me by it, and store it away for me with You, and accept it from me as You accepted it from Your worshipper Dawud). Al-Hasan said: “Ibn Juraij said to me: ‘Your grandfather said to me: ‘Ibn Abbas said: ‘So the Prophet recited (an Ayah of) prostration then prostrated.'” (He said) “So Ibn Abbas said: ‘I listened to him, and he was saying the same as the man informed that the tree had said.'” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 579

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SUJOOD AL-SHUKR (PROSTRATION OF THANKFULNESS)

This is prescribed for anything that makes one happy, whether it is attaining some benefit or warding off some harm.

According to the version narrated by Ahmad: he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when news reached him that his troops had prevailed over their enemy, he was lying with his head in ‘Aa’ishah’s lap, then he got up and fell in prostration. (Reported by Ahmad, 5/45; al-Haakim, 4/291).

Another hadeeth is that narrated by ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, who said: the Prophet (PBUH) went out to the place where the sadaqah (charitable donations) was kept, then he faced the Qiblah and fell in prostration, remaining like that for a long time. Then he raised his head and said, “Jibreel came to me with good news, he said, ‘Allah says to you, “Whoever sends blessings on you, I will send blessings on him, and whoever sends greetings of peace to you, I will send greetings of peace to him,”’ so I prostrated in thankfulness to Allah.”

Ka’b ibn Maalik prostrated at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he was given the glad tidings that Allah had accepted his repentance.

SUJOOD AL-SAHU (PROSTRATION OF FORGETFULNESS)

The Prophet (PBUH) said, If any one of you forgets [something in the prayer], let him do two prostrations.

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَامِرِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَزَادَ أَوْ نَقَصَ – قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَالْوَهْمُ مِنِّي – فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَزِيدَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ شَىْءٌ قَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ أَنْسَى كَمَا تَنْسَوْنَ فَإِذَا نَسِيَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ‏.

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prayed, and he added or omitted something.” (One of the narrators) Ibrahim said: “The confusion stems from me (i.e., he was not sure which it was).” “It was said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Has something been added to the prayer?’ He said: ‘I am only human, I forget just as you forget. If anyone forgets, let him perform two prostrations when he is sitting (at the end).’ Then the Prophet (PBUH) turned and prostrated twice.” Sunan Ibn Majah

We ask Allah to make us among those who are grateful to Him and make lot of sujood to our Creator and to accept from us all our good deeds.

And Allah knows best.

Related Links:

• Dua in sajdah and prolonging the sajdah by Dr. Ahmad Sakr
• Let me just enter jannah by Mohammad Hoblos
• This is why you should perform sujood by Sheikh Omar Sulaiman
• Making sujood can help you by Mufti Menk