In modern times we often see tradition become lost and known as a thing of the past. Some interpret it as just a matter of the zeitgeist of the times, but it is more often a means of chipping away our spiritual connection to God.
From the very beginning of the spiritual and religious following of God, bowing and prostration in prayer has been the standard. Mankind was one religion before they deviated. We were a “one world religion.” Nowadays we see this style of prayer consistently practiced in the religion of Islam with certain steps. However, this form of prayer is supposed to be for all, as God intended. While in Islam it states a certain protocol of steps to bowing and prostration, the other Abrahamic religions only state the original form of prayer to be just bowing and prostration. It should be noted that certain sects of Judaism and Priests in Christianity do partake in bowing and prostration when praying as well. Scripture showcases bluntly that the fundamental aspect of bowing and prostration is necessary when praying each time. Whether you choose to accept this information or not is your free will of choice.
Praying with bowing and prostration is very important because it is what connects us to our creator, God. The act of bowing and prostrating activates you to have access to the heavenly energy from God to keep you spiritually strong, and to help you do God-based manifestations as well. The bowing and prostration is half of the activation though: the other half is the act of worship.
Bowing and prostration is very simple. It involves the first step of bowing: standing straight upright and then bending your upper half of your body towards the ground. This action of bowing can be repeated many times. Next, the act of prostration. This is when you get on your hands and knees on the floor, and then put your forehead and nose to be touching the ground.
God doesn’t need us to pray and worship him. We need to do so in order to keep us spiritually sound and stable. This is stated in the Quran in the 51st chapter, verse 56, Surah Adh-Dhariyat. It states;
“I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship me.” [51:56]
The act of worship is what connects us to God. If we forget our creator, he will forget us. It seems dramatic, but it is the spiritual truth. The combination of bowing, prostration, and worshiping God in each prayer is what creates a golden aura of protection around you. In many medieval artworks, this golden aura is depicted around humans while they are standing in front of monsters/demons in artwork. This past knowledge of spiritual protection has always been prevalent in society. It is our modern world that makes us consider it obsolete information.
How does one worship God? It is simple. While in prostration, use that moment to praise God. You can say that God is the best, God is amazing, etc You can even praise God by using one of his 72 Hebrew names, or one of his 99 names in Arabic. Because remember, the older the language you use, the higher the frequency and faster your prayers will be heard. While in prostration or while sitting up after finishing prostration, you can take the time to say prayers and any desires you want as well.
And one might ask what they should wear while engaging in prayer? Wear your “Sunday Best.” Modesty rules apply as if you would go to Church, so as to not accidentally expose yourself while praying. And for women: make sure when bowing down that your blouse neckline isn’t low enough to expose your chest. Think of prayer like a formal occasion: you’ll want to present yourself in a suitable way when you stand before God.
Examples from text of bowing and prostration + worship, in the Abrahamic religions:
“Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.”
-Moses praying to God, Torah, Old Testament, New International Version, Exodus 34:8
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
-Jesus praying to God, Torah, Old Testament, New International Version, Matthew 26:39
“So the angels called out to him while he stood praying in the sanctuary, “Allah gives you good news of ˹the birth of˺ John who will confirm the Word of Allah and will be a great leader, chaste, and a prophet among the righteous.””
-Quran [3:39], Reference to standing while in prayer
“And ˹remember˺ when We assigned to Abraham the site of the House, ˹saying,˺ “Do not associate anything with Me ˹in worship˺ and purify My House for those who circle ˹the Ka’bah˺, stand ˹in prayer˺, and bow and prostrate themselves.”
-Quran [22:26], Reference to bowing and prostration
Of course if you are very ill and can’t physically engage in bowing and prostration, I highly recommend using your imagination. In whatever position your body is most comfortable, begin to pray and use your imagination. Imagine yourself doing the bowing and prostration. It is highly effective, as I have done it from experience when I was severely ill. I did feel the benefits of the prayer even from just using my imagination. Remember, when you do things with good intention, God will see your efforts.
Last but not least: the effort and maintaining cleanliness of the body is also a must. A form of respect to God when talking to him is to always have a clean body when speaking to him. This is something that Islam promotes. Maintaining good hygienic habits is a must, especially to clean one’s self with soap and water after reliving yourself in the bathroom.
“O believers! Do not approach prayer while intoxicated until you are aware of what you say, nor in the state of ‘full’ impurity -unless you merely pass through ‘the mosque’-until you have bathed. But if you are ill, on a journey, or have relieved yourselves, or been intimate with your wives and cannot find water, then purify yourselves with clean earth, wiping your faces and hands. And Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Forgiving.”
-Quran 4:43
The modern world makes all this information seem irrelevant and most take no consideration. All in all, the prophets served God and gave us great examples of how to live best. Also, religious scripture gives us the information simply. We do not need anyone to decipher these texts, God has given us a brain and we are capable of understanding on our own. And for those who are still skeptical of prostration in prayer — even the angels prostrated to God. How can we humans not prostrate before God if the Angels do it willingly without a second thought?
“Remember your Lord inwardly with humility and reverence and in a moderate tone of voice, both morning and evening. And do not be one of the heedless. Surely those angels nearest to your Lord are not too proud to worship Him. They glorify him. And to Him they prostrate.”
-Quran 7:205-206
I personally pray to God after I shower both in the morning and the evening. Perhaps there needs to be more prayers in the day, I am not certain at this time as I still need to do more research. But for now I find the morning and the evening sufficient, and I have found a verse in the Quran that states so:
“So glorify Allah in the evening and in the morning—”
-Quran 30:17
I hope to expand on this topic in the future using other religions as a reference. For now, I think it is sufficient to just reference the three Abrahamic religions. I think as a great introduction to this topic on my blog post!
God bless.
