Regarding prostration, he said: “The praise of Allah prescribed in it is that which befits it—namely, the servant’s saying, ‘Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.’ This is the best thing that may be said therein. No command from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to say anything else in prostration has been reported, for he said, ‘Make this part of your prostration.’ Describing the Lord as Most High in this posture is perfectly suited to the state of the one prostrating, who has lowered himself to the ground upon his face. Thus, he mentions the exaltedness of his Lord while he himself is bowed low, just as he mentions His greatness while humbling himself in bowing, and he declares his Lord transcendent above everything unbefitting Him and contrary to His greatness and exaltedness.”1

It is narrated in both Sahīhs from Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her—that she said: “The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would frequently say while bowing and prostrating: ‘Glory and praise be to You, O Allah, our Lord. O Allah, forgive me,’ thereby putting the Quran into practice.”2

By her words, “putting the Quran into practice,” she meant acting in accordance with Allah’s words in Surat al-Nasr: “So glorify your Lord with praise and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever accepting of repentance.” 3 Thus, he would frequently say while bowing and prostrating: “Glory and praise be to You, O Allah, our Lord. O Allah, forgive me.”

Muslim also narrated in his Sahīh from her—may Allah be pleased with her—that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would say while bowing and prostrating: “All-Glorious, All-Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit.”4

The words “All-Glorious, All-Holy” are two names of Allah signifying His greatness and declaring Him—Glorified is He—transcendent above every deficiency and fault unbefitting Him, and above being resembled by anyone