Originally posted 2023-10-25 13:43:56.

Prostration: The Nearest Point to God

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) once said:

“The servant is never closer to God than when he is in prostration.”
(Muslim)

This moment—when the forehead touches the earth—is the peak of humility, the essence of submission, and the doorway to nearness with our Creator. Sujood is not just a position of the body; it is a state of the heart.

The Qur’an echoes this sacred closeness:

“Prostrate yourself and draw near [to Allah].”
(Al-‘Alaq 96:19)

Each prostration is a moment of elevation. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whenever a Muslim performs a prostration for God’s sake, God raises him one degree and absolves him of one offence.”
(Muslim)

What greater incentive do we need? Every sujood is a step toward Paradise, a shield against arrogance, and a cleansing of sins.

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The Mark of the Worshippers

Allah describes the believers as:

“…Their foreheads show the mark left by prostration.”
(Al-Fath 48:29)

Some say this refers to the physical mark, others to the spiritual radiance of humility. But the most beautiful interpretation is that it represents a light that shines from their faces on the Day of Judgment, as a result of their sincere worship.

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The Devil’s Regret

When a believer prostrates, the Prophet (ﷺ) tells us:

“The devil retreats, weeping, saying: ‘This man was commanded to prostrate and he obeyed, so Paradise is his. I was commanded and disobeyed, so Hell is mine.’”
(Muslim)

With every sujood, we affirm our obedience to Allah and reject the arrogance of Iblis. We choose humility over pride, submission over rebellion.

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Presence in Prayer

But sujood and salah are not just about physical movement. They require presence, concentration, and heartfelt humility. Allah commands:

“Establish prayer for My remembrance.”
(Ta-Ha 20:14)

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“If a man performs two cycles of prayer without distraction from any worldly thought, all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
(Al-Bukhari)

True prayer is a farewell—to the dunya, to our ego, to our distractions. As the Prophet advised:

“Pray as if you are bidding farewell.”
(At-Tirmidhi)

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Conclusion: Sujood Is the Summit

In this life of distractions, sujood offers stillness. In a world of ego, it offers humility. In moments of darkness, it offers light.

Let us return to the sujood with new eyes and revived hearts. For in that position lies the truest form of freedom—freedom from sin, from arrogance, and from the burden of this world.

“O man! You are laboring towards your Lord with great exertion, and you will meet Him.”
(Al-Inshiqaq 84:6)

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This article is excerpted from the Islamic Foundation translation of the author’s book, The Revival of Religious Sciences. Here taken from Onislam.net.