the row.’1 This is the first place of prostration in the Quran at which, by consensus, both the reciter and the listener are prescribed to prostrate.”2

Shaykh Abd al-Rahmān ibn Saʿdī—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “He then mentioned that He has servants who worship Him continually and remain devoted to His service: the angels. This is so that you may know that Allah does not seek your worship to make up for any paucity in number, nor to gain might through it after lowliness. Rather, He seeks only your own benefit and that you may gain from Him rewards many times greater than the deeds you performed. He therefore said: ‘Surely those who are with your Lord’—the angels brought near, the bearers of the Throne, and the cherubim—‘are never too proud to worship Him.’ Rather, they submit to that worship and obey their Lord’s commands. ‘They glorify Him’ night and day without ever flagging, ‘and before Him’ alone, who has no partner, ‘they prostrate.’ Let Allah’s servants therefore emulate these noble angels and remain constant in worshipping the Sovereign, the All-Knowing.”3 Thus ends his statement—may Allah have mercy on him.

The point is that, after Allah—Mighty and Majestic—had forbidden His servants to be among the heedless, He then cited an example of the angels’ diligence, that it might be emulated and inspire earnestness in obeying and remembering Allah. All praise belongs to Allah alone.