The Arabic word ‘Sajdah’ comes from the root sa-ja-da. This means to ‘to throw oneself down’. When you prostrate, you literally throw yourself down before Allah (swt), which is one of the noblest forms of worship in Islam. Physically a person is on all fours, but spiritually he is elevated by his Lord.
The Prophet (sa) stated to the Sahabahs: “There is no one among my Ummah whom I will not recognize on the Day of Resurrection.”
They asked: “How will you recognize them, O Messenger of Allah, among the multitude of created beings?”
The Prophet (sa) replied: “Do you not see that were one of you to enter an enclosure, in which there was a jet black steed and a horse with a white forehead and legs, would you not recognize the latter from the former?”
The Sahabah (sa) replied: “Of course.”
The Prophet (sa) continued: “Thus, my Ummah that day will surely have white faces (meaning bright faces) because of prostrations, and white arms and feet because of ablution.” (Ahmad and Tirmidhi)
When do we perform Sajdah?
Sajdah is performed on three occasions:
- During Salah. No Salah is complete without performing two Sajdahhs in each Rakat (prayer unit).
- During the recitation of specific verses in the Quran (Sajdah Tilawaah).
- The Sajdah of thanks giving (Sajdah Shukr).
How does a Sajdah empower you?
- Builds closeness to Allah (swt).
Allah (swt) states: “But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].” (Al-Alaq 96:19)
“The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah much in it.” (Muslim, Abu Dawood and An-Nisai)
Your Sajdah is an opportunity from Allah (swt) to reach out to Him. One Sajdah with tears can remove the load of darkness and disappointment. Cry your heart out; ask Allah (swt) for guidance, forgiveness, and mercy; and wait for His response with Tawakkul (reliance upon Him).
- Liberates man from arrogance.
What comes in between our loved ones and us, prevents us from self-improvement, and stops us from dealing with others with tenderness and generosity? It is arrogance.
Sajdah is a sign of Allah’s (swt) slave’s humility. He never thinks of himself as perfect and above others. In fact, whenever you feel enraged or haughty, fall down in Sajdah. It will serve as a therapy for you.
“Only those believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant.” (As-Sajdah 32:15)
- Heralds glad tidings from the Lord.
Allah (swt) states to the believers: “(Such believers are) the repentant, the worshippers, the praisers [of Allah], the travellers [for His cause], those who bow and prostrate [in prayer], those who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and those who observe the limits [set by] Allah. And give good tidings to the believers.” (At-Taubah 9:112)
Sometimes we feel that we should only bow before Allah (swt) to fulfill our own needs. What about our commitment as Allah’s (swt) slave? It is also our need to worship Him, praise Him, honour Him, express our love and devotion towards Him, and serve His Deen. How can we do all this? By a simple and sincere Sajdah, followed by thoughts and actions that are favoured by our Lord. Allah (swt) promises the ultimate reward to us in response.
- Freedom from grief.
Gratitude is seldom witnessed today. Whether we converse with the rich or talk to the poor, the subject is common. They both complain, crib and criticize in misery. What brought grief to the Prophet (sa) and how did he combat it?
Allah (swt) states in the Quran, addressing His beloved Prophet Muhammad (sa): “And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say. So exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him].” (Al-Hijr 15:97-98)
The Messenger (sa) was inflicted with physical, emotional and verbal abuse for preaching Islam, but Allah (swt) cared for his emotions. The remedy He proposed to Muhammad (sa) was to empower himself by praising Allah (swt) and performing Sajdah. It is upon Allah (swt) to deal with the miscreants next.
The same rule applies today. Our Sujood can win us Allah’s (swt) mercy and protection from all kinds of evils and enemies.
- Causes man to live in harmony with the rest of the creation.
Urbanized people generally pass by trees, mountains, and fields, without ever noticing the sky. In the Quran, Allah (swt) invites our attention to the creation around us:
“Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people?…” (Al-Hajj 22:18)
Alarmingly, the person who refuses to bow before Allah (swt) is actually not in sync with His universe and becomes a cause of imbalance in the society and of spreading mischief.
- Cultivates gratitude.
Our predecessors placed gratitude (Shukr) above faith (Iman). An ungrateful person can never carry any faith as gratitude is the soil out of which faith sprouts.
After any achievement, we, as believers, should firstly fall to the ground and throw ourselves into a Sajdah Shukr in recognition of the greatness of our Lord and offering thanks to Him for His endless and uncountable bounties.
- Causes agony to man’s greatest enemy.
The Messenger (sa) said: “When the son of Adam recites the Ayat of Sajdah (prostration) and then falls down in prostration, Satan goes into seclusion and weeps and says: ‘Woe unto me, the son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated, and Paradise is his, and I was commanded to prostrate, but I refused, and Hell is my lot.’” (Muslim)
As believers, we need to realize the honour Allah (swt) has granted to us in this world and in the Hereafter. Our worship is appreciated and loved by Allah (swt), Who is not in need of it at all.
Do not strip yourself of this grand chance to worship Allah (swt) and express your servitude. Offer Sujood as much as possible.
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