Hadith #8649

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of seeking nearness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) through various acts of worship, specifically prostration (sujūd), bowing (rukū’), submission to His majesty, and reverence or subservience (khushū’). Let us delve into the deeper meaning of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

Firstly, sujūd refers to the act of prostration, where a Muslim places their forehead on the ground in complete submission to Allah. This physical act of humility symbolizes the recognition of our own insignificance in comparison to the greatness of our Creator. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:77):

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.

This verse highlights the importance of sujūd as an essential component of worship.

Secondly, rukū’ refers to the act of bowing during prayer. It is a position of humility and surrender, where the worshipper acknowledges the sovereignty and majesty of Allah. In Surah Al-Hajj, verse 77, Allah commands the believers to

bow and prostrate and worship your Lord.

This verse emphasizes the significance of rukū’ as an integral part of our worship, reminding us to humble ourselves before Allah.

Furthermore, the Hadith mentions the importance of submission to the majesty of Allah. This entails recognizing His absolute authority and surrendering ourselves to His will. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:45):

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

This verse highlights the need for humility and submission in our prayers and in our lives as a whole.

Lastly, the Hadith emphasizes the importance of khushū’ or reverence and subservience to Allah. Khushū’ refers to a state of deep concentration and humility in worship, where one's heart is fully engaged and focused on Allah alone. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Mu'minun, 23:2):

Indeed, the believers are successful: those who are humble in their prayers.

This verse emphasizes the significance of khushū’ as a key element in achieving success in our prayers and in attaining nearness to Allah.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand that the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to seek nearness to Allah through acts of worship that encompass physical prostration, bowing, submission to His majesty, and deep reverence. These acts of worship are not merely rituals but are meant to instill within us a sense of humility, surrender, and devotion to our Creator.

When we perform sujūd and rukū’ in prayer, we physically express our humility and submission to Allah. This physical act of worship is a means of purifying our hearts and strengthening our connection with our Creator. It reminds us of our dependence on Allah and our need for His guidance and mercy.

Moreover, submission to the majesty of Allah entails recognizing His absolute authority over our lives and surrendering our will to His. It is a constant reminder that we are servants of Allah and that our purpose in life is to worship and obey Him. This submission extends beyond our prayers and encompasses every aspect of our lives, guiding our actions and decisions.

Furthermore, khushū’ or reverence and subservience to Allah is a state of mind and heart that we should strive to cultivate in our prayers. It involves focusing our thoughts, purifying our intentions, and immersing ourselves in the remembrance of Allah. When we approach our prayers with khushū’, we are able to experience a deeper connection with Allah and attain a higher level of spiritual fulfillment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek nearness to Allah through acts of worship that encompass physical prostration, bowing, submission to His majesty, and deep reverence. These acts of worship are not mere rituals but are meant to instill within us a sense of humility, surrender, and devotion to our Creator. By practicing these acts of worship with sincerity and khushū’, we can strengthen our relationship with Allah and attain spiritual growth. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the ability to worship Him with true humility and devotion.