Al-Inshiqaq · Makki · ayah 21 of 25

Al-Inshiqaq 84:21

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ لَا يَسْجُدُونَ ۩

“And when the Qur’ān is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allāh]?”

Saheeh International

Essence

The Quran is recited to them, gathered words that should bring the heart and the forehead down, and nothing in them bows.

A reflection

The first time the forehead touched the floor

A retired naval officer became Muslim at fifty. People asked him what was hardest. Not the fasting, he said, and not giving up alcohol. It was the first time he put his forehead on the carpet. He had saluted admirals and stood for anthems. He had never lowered his face to the floor for anyone. He wept, and he was not sure why.

Lā yasjudūn: they do not prostrate. The root pictures lowering and yielding. The Arabs used it for a camel lowering its head so its rider could mount. They used it for a palm tree bent low under its fruit. The lexicons add that there is no greater humility than this: the face, the proudest part of us, placed where the feet go.

Allah does not need a single prostration. Musa told his people: 'If you and everyone on earth disbelieve, Allah is Free of need, Praised' (14:8). The prostration adds nothing to Him. It is entirely for the one who makes it.

The Prophet ﷺ said a servant is closest to his Lord while prostrating, so make much supplication then (Sahih Muslim). The lowest posture of the body turns out to be the nearest place. The Quran adds that prayer 'restrains from shameful deeds and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater' (29:45).

Think of how many people today are searching for exactly what the officer felt on that carpet. Relief from having to be impressive. A place to put down the weight of being in charge of everything. Somewhere to be small without being worthless. They look for it in retreats, in quiet rooms and in long walks, and it helps for a while.

The Quran offers it five times a day, and in this surah, at a single recited verse. The palm bends because it is full of fruit. The heart bows when it is full of recognition. And the forehead follows it down to the only place where lowering yourself raises you.

The full entry has 4 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.