The jurists have differed over whether prostration performed independently, without a specific occasion, constitutes an act of worship. Those who permit it say that it expresses humble submission to Allah, and prostration means humble submission. Allah, Most High, says:

“Enter the gate bowing humbly and say, ‘Forgive us.’”

The linguists state that the linguistic meaning of prostration is humble submission. Several Quran commentators have said that they were commanded to enter bowing and bending forward, since entering with one’s forehead on the ground is impossible. Allah, Most High, also says:

“Do you not see that to Allah prostrate all those in the heavens and all those on earth, as well as the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the animals, and many people?”

And He, Most High, says:

“To Allah prostrate all those in the heavens and on earth, willingly or unwillingly.”

It is well known that each thing prostrates in a manner appropriate to it; the prostration of these creatures does not consist of placing their foreheads on the ground.

In the hadith of Abū Dharr, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said when the sun had set:

“It goes and prostrates beneath the Throne.”

This was narrated by al-Bukhārī and Muslim. It is thus clear that prostration is a general term denoting complete humble submission to Allah. A person’s face is the most honoured part of his body, so placing it on the ground for Allah is the utmost bodily expression of his submission—the fullest expression of this that he is capable of. Hence the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The closest a servant comes to his Lord is while he is prostrating.”

And Allah, Most High, says:

“Prostrate and draw near.”

Prostration thus belongs to the same category as the remembrances recited in prayer that are also prescribed outside prayer, such as glorifying Allah, praising Him, proclaiming His greatness, declaring that none has the right to be worshipped but Him, and reciting the Quran. Ritual purity is recommended for all of these.