entail that it is not burdensome for one who lacks humble submission within prayer, yet burdensome for one who is humbly submissive within it. This would nullify the verse’s meaning. It is therefore established that humble submission in prayer is obligatory.

The obligation of humble submission in prayer is also indicated by the words of Allah Most High: “Successful indeed are the believers: those who are humbly submissive in their prayer; those who turn away from idle talk; those who give zakat; those who guard their chastity except with their wives or those whom their right hands possess, for then they are free from blame—but whoever seeks beyond that, it is they who are the transgressors; those who faithfully observe their trusts and covenants; and those who carefully maintain their prayers. It is they who are the inheritors, who will inherit Firdaws, where they will abide forever.” [al-Mu’minūn: 1–11] [al-Mu’minūn].

He—Glorified and Exalted—is stating that these are the ones who will inherit Firdaws in Paradise, which entails that no others will inherit it. This indicates that these qualities are obligatory. Had any one of them been merely recommended, Firdaws could be inherited without it, for Paradise may be attained by fulfilling the obligatory duties alone, without the recommended acts. Thus, only obligatory qualities are mentioned among them. Since humble submission in prayer is obligatory, it comprises both stillness and humility.

This is also illustrated by the report of Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—who saw a man fidgeting during his prayer and said, “Had this man’s heart been humbly submissive, his limbs would also have been humbly submissive”—meaning that they would have become still and subdued. Allah Most High said: “Among His signs is that you see the earth humbled; then, when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells.” [Fussilat: 39] [Fussilat: 39]. He states that after being humbled it stirs—and stirring is movement—and it swells, swelling being a rising upward.

It is thus known that humble submission involves stillness and lowliness. For this reason, while bowing, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would say: “O Allah, to You I have bowed, in You I have believed, and to You I have submitted