Prostration: The Sacred Link Between Humanity and Divinity

If you’re delving into the question of whether Islam is the true religion, you’ll discover over 50 reasons. Let’s start by exploring one distinct aspect: the act of prostration, known as sujud. In this profound act of worship, individuals bow down, touching their knees and foreheads to the ground. This gesture signifies both humility and deep reverence towards the Almighty. It’s a unique aspect of Islamic worship that sets it apart. As we delve into more reasons, we’ll uncover the richness and authenticity that Islam offers.

Prostration across faiths

In ancient times, when individuals encountered their king in an open field, the customary display of respect involved prostration. A mere nod or bowing of the body was deemed insufficient to convey the profound respect and reverence owed to the king, even though both gestures were recognized as signs of deference.

Prostration, or sujud, surpassed these conventional acts, placing the entire body in a position of complete submission and exemplifying the epitome of surrender. When a subject prostrates, it signifies a profound readiness to obey any command of their king, displaying an unwavering commitment to accepting whatever the king desires. Sujud, in this context, represents the most perfect form of submission.

Even in the modern era, many countries continue to exhibit respect for their leaders or monarchs through bodily gestures. This reverence is expressed not only in the direct presence of leaders but also extends to bowing before their images. This practice underscores the enduring significance of actions such as lowering the head, bowing the body, kneeling, and prostrating, all of which serve as tangible expressions of both reverence and humility.

The inclination towards prostration is ingrained in human nature. Consider the instinctive response when receiving something that brings immense joy or an unexpectedly generous gift – one instinctively kneels and bows their head in gratitude. Prostration, therefore, emerges as a natural instinct for a servant towards their Creator, transcending the boundaries of religion and beliefs.

Therefore in Islam, prostration, stands out as one of the most profound acts of worship. It serves as a distinctive hallmark of the faith; witnessing someone engaged in prostration often leads to the immediate assumption that the individual is a follower of Islam. In unconventional settings, such as a football match, if a player chooses to prostrate after scoring a goal rather than opting for a typical celebration, one might naturally infer that the player adheres to the Islamic faith.

While prostration, holds a special significance in Islam, it’s important to note that this act of worship isn’t exclusive to this faith. In fact, it is a practice embraced by numerous religions, particularly within the Abrahamic traditions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Followers of these religions continue to incorporate sujud in their worship, albeit to varying extents.

Diverse forms of prostration exist in other major religions as well. In Hinduism, it takes the form of pranama or sashtanga dandavat 1) 2). Buddhists refer to it as panipāta 3) 4), while in Sikhism, it is known as matha tekna (taykna) 5) 6). It’s interesting to observe that the manner and style of prostration may differ among religions, including bowing, kneeling, forehead touching the ground, or even lying prostrate.

Within Christianity, although the majority of Christians don’t practice prostration, certain sects and denominations uphold this ritual. Notable examples include the Anglican and Lutheran Churches 7), Eastern Orthodox Church 8), Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church 9), Syriac Orthodox Church 10), among others. Pope St. John Paul II would frequently engage in prostrate prayer, adhering to the Polish tradition of kneeling on the ground 11) 12).

Despite the fact that there are instances in religious texts, at least in 33 places in the Bible 13), such as Jesus prostrating at the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:39), Moses and Aaron’s prostration (Numbers 20:6), Abram’s prostration (Genesis 17:3), David’s prostration (Chronicles 21:16), and even angels’ prostration (Revelation 7:11), the practice has diminished in significance. It is no longer widely regarded as sacred by the majority of Christian clergy and followers in contemporary times.

In the realm of Judaism, historical and textual references point to the tradition of prostration, yet it has not become a prevalent practice in contemporary Jewish worship. While full prostration on the ground has not entirely faded from Jewish customs, it is no longer a routine element of Jewish prayers. Only a small percentage of the Jewish community engages in prostration today.

Traditionally, Orthodox Ashkenazi Jews carry out prostration during significant occasions like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This is reminiscent of the practice observed by Yemenite Jews during the Tachanun segment of their daily prayers. Ethiopian Jews also include prostration as part of their customs, particularly during a special holiday in their community known as Sigd. However, it’s important to note that prostration is no longer a daily ritual within contemporary Judaism 14).

Prostration in Islam

The question arises: why is the act of prostration, so closely associated with Islam? This connection isn’t merely because Muslims perform it at least 17 times during their mandatory five daily prayers. It extends beyond, as they engage in sujud in almost every situation when expressing gratitude to their Lord. What makes sujud synonymous with Islam is the universality of its practice – be it in a place of worship, like a mosque, in solitude, or even in bustling places such as a classroom, by the roadside, or on a football field. These instances underscore the distinctiveness of sujud within Islamic practices.

Why does Islam steadfastly preserve prostration as an integral part of worship? Prostration symbolizes the act of humbling oneself to the utmost extent while venerating God. This is the essence of Islam. In the Quran, the word “sujud” appears in at least 49 verses 15), emphasizing its paramount importance. No other physical gesture or posture, from a servant to their Creator, is deemed more fitting to depict humility before God than prostration.

When in prostration, a Muslim not only demonstrates a gesture of submission and humility but also extols God with various praises and prayers. This is why a Muslim experiences a sense of sweetness when they bow down. And this is why they often engage in prostration. Imagine, here are some of the words, taught by the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, uttered by a Muslim when he/she is in prostration:

“O Allah, to You, I prostrate; in You, I believe, and to You, I submit myself. You are my Lord. My face prostrates to the One who created and shaped it, so perfect its form. The One who made me able to hear and see. So, Glorified is Allah, the Best of creators.”

“O Allah, our Lord, Most Gracious and Most Merciful, whose mercy encompasses the heavens and the earth, bestow Your mercy upon us and perfect for us the guidance in our affairs.”

“Glory be to Him, Lord of power, kingdom, pride, and greatness.”

“O God, I seek refuge in Your satisfaction from Your anger, and in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in You from You. I do not praise You as You have praised Yourself.”

“O Allah, forgive me for all my sins, whether they be detailed or major, whether they occurred at the beginning or the end, whether they are apparent or hidden.”

“Oh God, help me to thank You and worship You well.”

The relationship between a servant and their God is characterized by obedience, humility, and submission. God finds pleasure when His servants elevate Him to the highest while humbling themselves to the lowest. This authentic connection between God and His servants is reflected in the consistent practice of prostration.

If asked which God is most pleased with frequent acts of prostration, one might spontaneously point to the God of Islam. The Islamic community stands out for its unwavering commitment to prostration, showcasing the authenticity of a religion through the extent to which this practice is maintained. In line with its meaning of surrendering oneself, Islam is a religion that earnestly and consistently observes prostration to its God. Ponder upon that.

References:

  1. https://sutrajaalam.com/namas-and-prostration/
  2. https://vedicologyindia.com/meaning-of-prostration-what-is-the-significance-of-prostration-position/
  3. https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/devotion/devotion03.htm#:~:text=The%20three%20prostrations%20are%20done,of%20curbing%20pride%20and%20arrogance.
  4. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/6/385
  5. https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Matha_Taykna
  6. https://www.harisingh.com/Glossary%20of%20Sikh%20Terms.pdf
  7. https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/71841/do-any-christians-sects-have-a-standing-prostration-prayer-like-the-jewish-amid
  8. https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/79854/which-sects-of-christianity-recite-verses-of-god-and-prostrate-to-god-during-the
  9. https://www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/church/englishethiopianliturgy.pdf
  10. https://www.byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/317229/prostration-in-the-divine-liturgy
  11. https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/71841/do-any-christians-sects-have-a-standing-prostration-prayer-like-the-jewish-amid
  12. https://journalstar.com/special-section/news/john-paul-s-fervent-prayer-inspired-awe-in-others/article_d0083952-6780-52a7-a0db-fa91d048ce7a.html
  13. https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Prostration
  14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostration
  15. Huda. “Aryats (Verses) From the Quran on Prostrate Prayer.” Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/ayats-of-sujood-in-the-quran-2004548.

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