The symbology of prostration is very significant.
Sajdah (as muslim call it by its arabic name) or Prostration, is a position of complete humility in front of the Creator and the closest one can be to God; the message it carries is: cut off from the world around us for a few brief moments of complete submission and worship. It is also a good position for meditation on God.
It is said by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that any person is more near to God in the position of prostration than anything else. And Prophet encouraged to ask to God in prostration because God loves it and if He wills accept the prayer.
From Sufi idea, it is only during prostration, our heart is above our head. And Sufi idea always encourage to follow heart, not head. Because head might cause you to go in wrong path, but a pure heart never does that. And heart being the symbolic throne of God (although not the physical heart), which symbolize that we are putting it above all, even our brain. Also it acknowledges the limitations of our brain. The humility of a man in front of God, which is expressed by prostration can not be expressed in any other ways.
Links: Read, medical advantages of Prostration. \ article1 \ article2
Tag: Prostration, God, Sufi
Wow....need to check your wonderful blog from time to time :-) I just started prostrating lately though I don't do it all the time. Its the best position and a good way to Zzzz for a while though :D without letting others know, of course!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful essays on prostration! I'm curious about the exact movements of prostration in your tradition. My understanding is that prostration starts in standing, passes through kneeling to get to either child's pose (the yoga name for kneeling with sit bones resting on heels, chest resting on thighs and forehead on ground) and then into full prostration, with whole front body on the ground, arms extended forward with palms up. Then reverse to get up.
ReplyDeleteIs this correct? Is there a link with pictures?
Also, how many times in a single prayer do you prostrate and what is the significance of that number? How many times a day do you prostrate and what is the significance of that number?
Thank you for you beautiful work in the world.
All blessings!
hi,
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for ur questions.
for the moment pls check this video:
www.islamicity.com/Video/iis/salat.ram
in islam, prayer is referred as salat, meaning the same.
i am posting a separate post on the main blog page regarding ur questions, very soon.
pls visit here,
http://mysticsaint.blogspot.com
for more info.
just quickly about prostration:
ReplyDeleteIn prostration, first a person's knee should touch the ground and then the hands. thats most natural. if not possible, the other way is also ok.
In prostration, the worshiper should use seven organs like, the forehead, the tip of the nose, both hands, both knees and front of the toes. they all should touch the ground.
and he or she should recite in arabic, "Shubhana Rabbiyal Aala". meaning, "Glorify is my Lord, the Exalted" - 3 times.