From the Islamic Society of Kingston’s newsletter, The Bond (February 2012)
Every day, for a few seconds at a time, we place our foreheads on the ground. When we offer all five prayers of the day, we prostrate before Allah at least 34 times.
Those moments often go by with us quickly uttering praises for our Lord in Arabic while our mind is preoccupied with other thoughts. Before we know it, we’re done with our prayer and it’s time to get on with our lives and all the important things we need to get done.
Yet, the time spent in sujood (prostration) is one of the most valuable parts of our day because it’s the time when we have the most intimate connection established with Allah.
The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said:
“A slave becomes nearest to his Rubb (Lord) when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.” [Reported by Muslim]
For true believers seeking the love of Allah, this is the absolute best position to be in. As the believer yearns for Allah, He spreads His love to the servant who has placed himself in a position of submission. In fact, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended making frequent sujood:
“Prostrate much because there is no Muslim that prostrates to God except that God raises him one degree in Paradise by it and forgives for him a sin.” [Reported by Ahmad]
The act of prostrating before Allah by placing one’s forehead on the ground carries special significance. Sujood is not just another ritual in prayer, but rather, it signifies humility and complete submission to Allah.
To some, it may appear to be degrading. Why should one have to place the head, the highest part of the body and home to the prized human intellect – the most sophisticated creation on earth, on the same ground that is trampled upon by lowly feet and shoes?
For the believer though, the act of humbling oneself before Allah leads to elevation in every positive way, including respect and honour in this world and in Paradise in the Hereafter. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever humbles himself before Allah, Allah will elevate him.” [Reported by Muslim]
Humbling ourselves before Allah in prayer, upwards of 34 times a day, should serve as an ample reminder to us that we are very limited, in every imaginable way. We often like to think we are quite smart, wise, intelligent and powerful. Yet, the reality is that all of our combined strengths are nothing compared to all that which Allah posses. Even when we are very confident about our choices, opinions and understanding of issues, we must realize that we may very well be wrong.
Allah has given us the great gift of intellect, but when compared to His all-encompassing knowledge and wisdom, ours is of no match. Thus, no matter what the situation, we must always turn to Him in humility and repentance for the misdeeds we have done and even those we may have committed without even realizing it.
There is no better time or method for doing this than the act of sujood. So the next time we pray, let’s not only prostrate our bodies in front of Allah, but let’s also submit our intellect, our ego and our desires in front of Allah.
