you say, “Subḥāna Rabbī al-Aʿlā” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High), because the posture itself denotes descent. Man lowers the highest part of his body—his face—to the level of the lowest part—his feet—so that in prostration the forehead and the feet rest on the same plane. This is the utmost expression of declaring Allah above all imperfection; hence you say, “Subḥāna Rabbī al-Aʿlā,” meaning: I declare my Lord, the Most High—who is above everything—far removed from all baseness and descent, while I myself have brought down my head, the noblest of my limbs, to the place of the feet and their tread. You therefore repeat, “Subḥāna Rabbī al-Aʿlā,” as Allah wills—three times or more according to circumstance—and you say: “Subḥānaka Allāhumma Rabbana wa bi-ḥamdik, Allāhumma ighfir lī” and “Subbūḥ, Quddūs, Lord of the angels and the Spirit.” Then abound in supplication for whatever you wish of worldly or religious matters, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “During prostration exert yourselves in supplication, for it is most likely to be answered,” and he also said: “The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is prostrating.” So ask abundantly: for Paradise, for protection from the Fire, for beneficial knowledge, righteous deeds, and unwavering faith; likewise ask for a pleasant house, a virtuous wife, pious children, a vehicle—whatever good you desire of this world or the next—for supplication is an act of worship even when it concerns worldly affairs. He said