upon everyone to whom the Quran is recited. The word “prostration” is used to mean submission and humility in general, as has been explained at length elsewhere. But they may be answered as follows:

Submission is commanded, and a person’s submission and humility are not complete without prostration in its familiar sense. This is, in general, obligatory upon everyone, and it is what is meant whenever prostration is ascribed to the children of Adam in the Quran. It is the human being’s submission to the Lord, and the Lord accepts nothing less than this submission from people, for it is the utmost expression of a servant’s submission. Every creature has a form of submission suited to it, and that is its prostration.

As for claiming that human prostration means only a submission that does not involve placing the face on the ground, such a usage is unknown. Rather, it should be said: They are commanded to prostrate when the Quran is recited to them. Even if full prostration does not immediately follow their hearing the Quran, this necessarily takes place between two prayers. When they undertake the prayer, they perform the prostration required of them. When the Quran was recited to them, they had already attained a measure of submission and humility by believing it to be obligatory and resolving to comply. Thus, when they believe that prayer is obligatory and resolve to comply, this is the beginning of the prostration they are commanded to perform; then, when they pray, they complete it.

Similarly, He said concerning the polytheists:

“But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then let them go their way.”

Thus, when they repent and commit themselves to prayer, fighting against them is to cease. This is the beginning of their establishing it; then, when they perform it, they have completed its establishment. But if they commit themselves to it