Just a quick analysis and you’ll come to realise that the prostration or sujood has a higher ‘value’ than other positions in salah.
Why?
promised wasn’t waiting at the top. Instead it was lonely, empty and disappointing.
You really show how low you are in front of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), your Creator. The head, the most revered and special part of the body, is placed at such a low level – the same level as your footstep.
At this position, you truly feel the humility of yourself and the greatness of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).
That is in salah. But when you read the Quran, sujood can have different meanings.
The Quran uses the word sujood with varied meanings such as
- Sujood to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) as in salah
- A sign of respect
- Realisation of own mistake and admission of other’s truth
- Following/obeying the laws made by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)- laws of nature.
Elaborating … (I’ll skip about sujood we do in salah)
- A sign of respect – as respect and recognition of another
A familiar occurence of “sujood”used in this sense is when the angels prostrate to Adam
And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam”; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers. (Quran 2:34)
- Realisation of own mistake and admission of other’s truth – “sujood” means this here
So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, “We have believed in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.” (Quran 20:70)
- Following/obeying the laws made by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)- laws of nature –
And the stars and trees prostrate. (Quran 55:6)
So, when you come across the word “sujood”, it doesn’t necessarily mean the prostration you do in your salah. That type of prostration is only for Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).
