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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Commentary on Prayer Bowing Down {ruku‘} and Prostration {sujud} Bowing down {ruku‘} Bowing down { ruku‘ } is an essential pillar of prayer. Performing it in an excessive or inadequate manner, whether intentional or unintentional, renders the prayer invalid. The word “ rak‘ah ” {circle} which is used in counting the cycles of prayer is derived from the word “ ruku‘ ”.

The tribe of Thaqif requested that the Prophet (S) excuse them from performing ruku‘ and prostration { sujud } in prayer, saying: “Bending down for us is a shame.” This verse was revealed: ﴿ وَ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ارْكَعُوا لا يَرْكَعُونَ ﴾ “When they are told, ‘Bow down,’ they do not bow down! ” [^1] Others bow and show reverence in front of human beings like themselves, but you have to bow down and show reverence solely to your Creator.

When the verse, “So celebrate the Name of your Lord, the All-supreme,” [^2] was revealed, the Prophet (S) ordered: “Show reverence to God while you are in ruku‘ and recite this dhikr {remembrance or glorification}: سُبْحانَ رَبِّيَ ٱلْعَظيمِ وَ بِحَمدهِ Subhana rabbiya’l-‘azim wa bihamdih. “Glory be to my Lord, the Great, and praise belongs to Him.”[^3] We read in the traditions: “ Ruku‘ is the sign of courtesy { adab } while the sujud is the symbol of nearness { qurb } to God.

Once you do not perform the gesture of courtesy properly, you cannot be ready for the stage of nearness.”[^4] Ruku‘ is the means of repentance { tawbah }, penitence and asking forgiveness in the presence of God: ﴿ فَاستَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَ خَرَّ رَاكِعاً وَ أَنَاب ﴾‏ “Whereat he (David) pleaded with his Lord for forgiveness, and fell down bowing and repented.” [^5] The effects of ruku‘ Imam al-Baqir ( ‘a ) says: “Anyone who perfectly performs his ruku‘ perfectly will be safe from the horror of the grave.”[^6] The more we bow down in humility to God, the more we shall have the power to confront the Satan and satanic ones.

Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) says: “Long ruku‘ and sujud makes Iblis angry, saying, ‘Woe to me! With such quality of servitude, the people will no longer obey me.”[^7] God says to the angels: “See my servants, how they express reverence to Me and they kneel down in front of Me.

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