Tag: prostration

Fire is Better than Clay? Benefits from Shaytān’s Refusal to Prostrate to Ādam – Shaykh Fawzān, Additional Benefits from Shaykh ibn Bāz

Written by abuaisha on October 31, 2018. Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaykh Fawzān (hafidahullāh) in explaining the events surrounding Iblees’s disobedience of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic) said,

Allah – jalla wa ‘alaa – commanded the angels to prostrate to Ādam; a prostration of greeting and not a prostration of worship, because prostration of worship is not allowed except for Allāh (t’āla). So all of the Angels prostrated together, except Iblīs, for indeed he was envious of Ādam (alayhis salām), and [Allaah said that Iblees] said,

قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ

[Iblis (Satan)] said: “I am better than him, You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.” (Sād:78)

He claimed that clay had no benefit within it, whilst claiming that fire has benefit. And this is a false analogy, because clay is better than fire; fire burns and does not bring forth (anything), whereas clay brings forth seedlings and agriculture/farming and yields goodness. Therefore clay, has goodness within it, however Iblīs was blinded of this and boasted about (being created from) fire,

خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ

You created me from fire

And he did not envision what was in clay of goodness and blessing. (1)

Al-Imām ibn Bāz (rahimahullāh) in explanation of prostrating to Ādam and Yusuf (alayhimus salātu was salām) said,

This was a deed which was specified in the divine law revealed to Yoosuf [alayhis salaam], and likewise was the case when the Angels prostrated to Aadam- a specific prostration which Allaah allowed the Angels to perform and [likewise] the brothers of Yusuf.

As for the divine law that was revealed to Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], it is not permissible to prostrate to anyone elss besides Allaah alone. None is to prostrate to another person, neither to one’s father nor to a husband, nor anyone else. When some of the companions prostrated to the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], he forbade them from that. As for in the divine law that was revealed to Yusuf [alayhis salaam], that prostration was performed as an act greeting and a sign of respect, but not an act of worship. It was permissible in the divine law that was revealed to Yusuf [alayhis salaam] but forbidden in the divine law that was revealed to Muhammad.

Likewise, the prostration of the Angels to Aadam was a prostration of greeting and respect and not a prostration of worship. (2)

(1) Shaykh Fawzān’s explanation of Igāfatul Lahfān 1439-07-01

(2) Excerpt. Slightly paraphrased from Shaykh bin Bāz’s official website

Going to Sleep in a State of Prostration?

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on September 26, 2012. Posted in Hajj, Dhul Hijjah, Eid al Adha, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Indeed, Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala selected certain times to be blessed, as opportunities for the slave to put forth his righteous deeds, lest it is discovered on that Day upon the presentation of the weighing scales that the accumulation of evil is greater than good – we ask Allah to protect us from that state. From amongst those times is the blessed month of Ramadan that arrived and departed, however no sooner does one blessed time depart that another one arrives, indeed we speak of the approach of Hajj.

Many from amongst our brothers and sisters will strive to fulfill this obligation and travel to perform the Hajj, to submit and be subservient to their Creator in humbling themselves with their worship during those limited days.

It is regarding this Hajj that we find a tremendous narration from one of the great Salaf us-Salih, Masrooq ibn-ul Ajda’ from the senior tabi’een. It is narrated that Masrooq رحمه الله تعالى performed the Hajj, and during the days of Hajj – which are only a few – he did not sleep except in a state of prostration upon his face until he returned. [Siyar ‘alaam an-Nubalaa: 4/65]

Shaikh ‘Abdullah al-Bukhary حفظه الله تعالى stated regarding this [paraphrased], “…that is because the days of Hajj are very limited and few, and the Salaf us-Salih were keen on utilising every moment in worship and obedience to Allah, hence Masrooq did not wish to waste a single moment and so even slept in a position of prostration to Allah during those few days until he returned from Hajj”.

Certainly the days of Hajj are few and limited, so let them be an opportunity utilised in the best possible manner. Indeed, our brothers and sisters who make the journey and put forth a large financial amount, do not do so for the purpose of wasting the several days available in the land of Tawheed, make the limited days a cause for goodness and follow the example of the Salaf us-Salih in their desire for worship and obedience, and do not allow them to become filled with idle speech and relaxation…may Allah give us all success.

@AbuMuadhTaqweem