It was also said that the prostration of all things is their humble submission and their being made subservient to the purposes for which they were intended and subjected.

It was also said that the prostration of inanimate things and beings without reason is the manifestation in them of the marks of divine workmanship: that is, upon contemplating and reflecting upon them, they call the heedless to prostrate. Allah Most High says, “We will show them Our signs in the horizons” (Fussilat 41:53).

“And the angels”: The angels are mentioned specifically, although they are included among those in the heavens and the earth, in order to honor them and elevate their rank.

It was also said that this is because they are excluded from those described as creatures that move about, since they have wings with which they fly.

It was also said that the meaning is: To Allah prostrates those in the heavens, namely the angels, and every creature on the earth; and the angels prostrate, “and they are not arrogant.”

“They fear their Lord above them, and do what they are commanded” (50). “Allah has said, ‘Do not take two gods. He is only One God, so fear Me alone.’” (51) “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and to Him alone is due everlasting obedience. Will you then fear other than Allah?” (52)

“They fear their Lord above them,” as in His saying, “He is the Subduer above His servants” (al-An‘am 6:18).

“And do what they are commanded.”

Abd al-Wahid ibn Ahmad al-Malihi informed us; Muhammad ibn Sam‘an informed us; Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Sha‘rani narrated to us; Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Dhuhali narrated to us; Ubayd Allah ibn Musa al-‘Absi narrated to us; Isra’il narrated from Ibrahim ibn Muhajir, from Mujahid, from Muwarriq, from Abu Dharr, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“I see what you do not see, and I hear what you do not hear. The heaven has groaned, and it has every right to groan. By Him in Whose hand is my soul, there is not a space the breadth of four fingers in it except that there is an angel glorifying Allah. If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much; you would not enjoy women in your beds; and you would ascend to the high places, pleading aloud.”

Abu Dharr said, “If only I were a tree that would be cut down.” Abu Isa transmitted it from Ahmad ibn Mani‘, from Abu Ahmad al-Zubayri, from Isra’il, and he said: “There is not a space except that an angel is placing his forehead down in prostration to Allah.” (1)

Concerning His saying, “Allah has said, ‘Do not take two gods. He is only One God, so fear Me alone.’” And, “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and to Him belongs everlasting obedience”: that is, obedience and sincere devotion; “everlasting” means constant and abiding.