The Truth of The Prostration That The Angels Were Commanded To Do
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (70)
Prostration (Sujud) in the Arabic language means humility and submission, and it may involve bending. Its essence in Islamic law is placing the forehead on the ground. Scholars have differed regarding the nature of this prostration, but the correct opinion, which the majority holds, is that it involved placing the foreheads on the ground. This is because when prostration is mentioned, it typically refers to the known form of prostration in Islamic law; if a different type were intended, it would have been specified accordingly. This is a prostration of honor, not a prostration of worship. It is similar to Allah's statement regarding Joseph: {And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they bowed to him in prostration.} [Yusuf: 100].
Islamic scholars have unanimously agreed that worship can only be directed to Allah. Prostration as an act of worship is not to be performed for a close angel or a sent prophet; it is solely for Allah alone.
Was Adam their Qiblah in prostration?
If that were the case, it would have been more appropriate to say: "Prostrate towards Adam". However, the context consistently used the phrase "prostrate to Adam" in all instances where the story is mentioned.
Was Adam an imam for them while they prostrated behind him?
This is not supported by the context and is an implausible assertion.
Was the prostration intended to mean bending?
This is challenged by His statement: {then fall down to him in prostration."} [Al-Hijr: 29], and the apparent meaning of "falling" suggests a collapse to the ground.
Is prostration an expression of the angels' delegation concerning Adam and their responsibility for him, his offspring, and their lives and deaths?
The revelation clarifies the angels' responsibilities regarding matters such as blowing the spirit, taking the soul, acts of mercy, acts of punishment, and what Allah wills regarding the recording of deeds, states, good deeds, and sins. The delegation of these tasks to the angels is a valid principle; however, it is not appropriate to limit the meaning of prostration to this. There is an unseen event in which the angels were commanded to prostrate to Adam, and they complied while Iblees refused. This was a genuine prostration that aligns with the nature of the angels and what Allah knows about them, which we do not know and cannot define.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 510-512.
- My father taught me, Al-Awda, p. 145.
- The Story of Adam, Abu Bakr, p. 116.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
