it may be said in response that prayer, when mentioned without qualification, means prayer that includes bowing and prostration, as is evident from the case of someone who vows to offer a prayer.

Funeral prayer is included in his words:

“The key to prayer is purification; one enters its sacred state by declaring Allah’s greatness and leaves it with the salutation of peace.”

Its designation, however, is qualified: one says “funeral prayer” or “Pray over the deceased,” as Allah Most High says:

“Never pray over any of them who dies, nor stand at his grave.”

The Lawgiver has explained that prayer over the deceased is a particular form of supplication. This differs from His words:

“Take charity from their wealth to purify and cleanse them thereby, and pray for them. Indeed, your prayers are a source of comfort for them.”

He has explained that this means unrestricted supplication, which has no rite for entering or leaving a sacred state, does not require facing the qiblah, and does not prohibit speaking.

Prostration alone is not called prayer, whether without qualification or with a qualifying expression. Thus, one does not speak of a “prayer of recitation” or a “prayer of gratitude.” It is therefore not included in his words:

“Allah does not accept prayer without purification,”

or his words:

“Allah does not accept the prayer of any of you who has invalidated his ablution until he performs ablution.”

The purpose of prostration is submission and humility before Him. Sahl ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Tustarī was asked, “Does the heart prostrate?” He replied, “Yes, in a prostration from which it never raises its head.”

For an act to be called prayer, it must include supplication; a person is therefore not performing prayer unless he supplicates according to his ability. Prayer intended to draw near to Allah must include Quran recitation. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “I have been forbidden to