I shall also exalt them and give them honor and glory.

I shall also exalt them and give them honor and glory.”[^8] Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) says: “A long ruku‘ and sujud have effects on the longevity of life.”[^9] The etiquette of performing ruku‘ We read in the traditions that during ruku‘ the blessed back of the Messenger of Allah (S) would be so bent and so straight that if a drop of water was poured on his back, it would remain in the center of his back and not fall to either side.”[^10] It is thus enjoined: “During ruku‘ stretch your neck as if to say: ‘I have accepted the faith even if I am beheaded in His way.”[^11] Among the other etiquettes of performing ruku‘ is that men have to position their elbows outwardly like the wings of a bird and not to attach them to their flanks.

We have to place the palms of our hands on our knees and spread our fingers. The feet must be aligned, neither one of them should be placed forward nor backward. Between the feet there must be the distance of about one hand span. During ruku‘ one must look between the feet and after the recital of the dhikr for ruku‘ , while still in the position of ruku‘ one must invoke blessings { salawah } upon Muhammad and his progeny ( ‘a ).

Of course, repetition of the dhikr for ruku‘ at least thrice has been recommended and is preferred.[^12] The ruku‘ of the saints of God Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) says: “Hadrat ‘Ali ( ‘a ) would make his ruku‘ so long that his legs would perspire.”[^13] Imam ‘Ali ( ‘a ) himself thus says in the first sermon of Nahj al-Balaghah : “God has angels who are always in the state of ruku‘ and will never rise up { qiyam }.” Of course, tiredness and hunger are not applicable to the angels.

So, those who are gnostics and lovers of God and who perform such long ruku‘ persuade the angels to praise God. This is the state of the saints of God. Yet, what about us? The Prophet (S) was once sitting in the mosque when a certain man entered and stood in prayer, but his ruku‘ and sujud were defective and done very quickly. The Prophet (S) said: “He is like a crow that would peck and go.

If he departs from this world with such a state of prayer, he will not have died under my religion.”[^14] The history of sujud After creating Adam (Adam) ( ‘a ), God ordered the angels to prostrate before him. All of them prostrated except Iblis.[^15] On account of this defiance, God expelled him from His Presence. The Qur’an mentions this episode repeatedly and we know that repetitions in the Qur’an are not without wisdom.