It therefore conflicts with the Sunnah and imposes needless strain on the body. If you see anyone prostrating in this fashion, guide him to what is correct and tell him, “This is not the Sunnah.”

During prostration a worshipper must also show humility before Allah, consciously recalling His exaltedness, for you will say, “Subḥāna rabbī al-aʿlā” (“Glory be to my Lord, the Most High”), declaring Him, in His loftiness, far above every lowliness or descent. We believe that Allah is Himself high above all of His creation, as He says: “Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High” (Quran 87:1). The affirmation of Allah’s elevation in the Qur’an and Sunnah occurs far too often to enumerate.

When someone supplicates, he instinctively raises his hands toward the sky—to Allah, who is above the heaven and above everything. Allah has also stated in seven verses of the Qur’an that He rose over the Throne; the Throne is the highest of all created beings, and Allah is above the Throne, majestic and exalted.

Among the pillars of the prayer is tranquility (ṭumaʾnīnah): coming to rest and remaining still in every posture—while standing, bowing, rising from bowing, prostrating, sitting between the two prostrations, and in the rest of the prayer.

This is supported by the report collected by the two Imams, al-Bukhari and Muslim, from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): a man entered the mosque and prayed, then came and greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet returned his greeting and said, “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed,” meaning you have not offered a prayer that suffices you. The man went back and prayed again, then came and greeted the Prophet, and the Prophet returned his greeting.