indicate this, for His words, “Prostrate and draw near” (19), come after His words, “Read in the name of your Lord who created (1), created man from a clinging clot (2),” continuing through, “Have you seen the one who forbids (9) a servant when he prays (10),” up to His words, “No! Do not obey him, but prostrate and draw near” (19) [al-‘Alaq 19].

It is clear that He mentions prayer to Allah and commands prostration to Allah. Thus, His words, “And draw near” (19) [al-‘Alaq 19], likewise command drawing near to Allah. Omitting an object of this kind for brevity is common in Arabic, since the wording and the circumstances indicate what is intended. If He has commanded him to read in the name of his Lord who created, then it is all the more fitting that his prostration should be to Him and his drawing near should be to Him.

His command to draw near is unrestricted, not confined to prostration. Rather, one draws near through prostration and through other acts, even though a servant is closest to his Lord when prostrating. For in Sahīh al-Bukhārī there is a report from Abū Hurayrah, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,