Prostration is the
ultimate degree of humility. Surah
al-Hajj Ayah 18 says, “Did you not see that those in the heavens and the earth,
the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the mountains, the trees, the animals, and many
people, all bow down to Allah. Similarly, Surah al-Nahl Ayah 48 says, “Did they
not see that the shadows of whatever Allah has created turn to the right and to
the left in prostration and submission to Allah? Surah al-Mu’minun Ayah 77
says, “Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prostrate yourselves before
Him and do virtuous deeds so that perhaps you will have everlasting happiness.
Apart from spiritual benefits of prostrating, there are
numerous benefits to the body as well. While
in the state of prostration (Sajdah), we are “earthing” our body absorbing
electrons which neutralizes the “free radicals” which damage our body cells. Earthing
decreases inflammation, pain and stress. Earthing increases blood flow and makes
it thin and decrease the chances of heart attack and stroke. It also improves
the left side of the brain resulting in increase in energy as the circulation
improves. It also improves the sleeping pattern.
Prostration or Saj’dah is allowed only to the
Almighty Allah (s.w.t.) in Islam. The only exception was the Saj’dah out of
respect ordered by the Almighty Allah (s.w.t.) Himself to the angels to Hazrat Adam
(a.s.) as narrated in Surah al-Baqarah
Ayah 34, “And when We said to the angels: ’Prostrate yourselves before Adam.’
They all prostrated themselves except Iblis; he refused and was full of pride,
and so he became one of the infidels.”
After the return from the Ascension (Mair’aj), five times
salaat was made obligatory for the Muslims. In every Raka’at of salaat, one must
perform prostration (Sajdah) twice reciting “Subhana Rabbial A’la wa Behamdeh”
The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had said that salaat was the
Mai’raj of the faithful (Momin) and during the salat, a faithful is at the nearest
state to his Creator while performing prostration (Sajdah), so supplicate a lot
in this position. Prostration (Sajdah) should be performed on the pure soil and
not eatables or clothing things. The purest
earth is the “Khak-e-Shifa”, the soil cakes made from the soil around the Holy
Shrine of Sayyid-us-Shuhada Imam Husayn (a.s.). It should be clear that Shias prostrate on Khak-e-Shifa and not to the
Khak-e-Shifa!
The Commander of the
Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) had a special place in Islam; born in the House of
Allah, martyred in the House of Allah-Masjid of Kufa, he recited salat whole
night as the neighbors used to hear Takbir of Allah-o-Akbar 1,000 times. His
grandson, the Infallible Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.) was given the title of “Sayyid-us-Sajideen”
or “the Leader of the Prostrators”
According to rawdhah al-Kafi (page 128), Imam Jaffar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Prophet
Musa was passing by one of his followers who was in prostration. When Prophet
Musa returned, he was still in prostration. Being impressed by this act,
Prophet Musa said, “If I could fulfill your needs, I would certainly do it. A
call came from Allah saying: Even if he keeps on prostrating resulting in
breaking his neck, I will not accept it unless he keeps his busy with what I
like and give up what I dislike.”
The Thinker of
Pakistan, poet-philosopher, Allama Iqbal (r.a.) had said, “Wo Aik Sajdah Jesay
tu Giran Samjhta Haiy* Hazar Sajdaun Se Deta Haiy Admi Ko Najaat.” “You feel burdensome
for only one Sajdah to Almighty Allah*This relieves you from making one
thousand sajdas to Allah’s creation”. He further said, “Islam Ke Daman May Bas Iske
Siwa Kia Hay* Aik Zarbe Yadullahi Aik Sajda-e-Shabbiri” “the most important things
in Islamic history are the strike of Zulfiqar; sword of Imam Ali (a.s.), in
Khyber and other battles defending Islam and the sajdah of Imam Husayn (a.s.)
on the Day of Ashura in Karbala under the dagger of Shimr (l.a.)
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an,
Shiism and Sunnism by Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Ridha Mulavisi, Taqwa Advice of
Ahl al-Bayt by Sayyed Hussain Tooyserkani, Amazing Benefits of Prostration in
Islam and new Science
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