Sajdah: The Closest State to the Lord

Sajdah means to bend, place the head on the ground and prostrate to the Creator (swt) in respect and reverence.  Sajdah is one of the salah's pillars and is done by placing the face, hands, knees and feet on the ground.  (Sahih Muslim, Salah, 231) Allah (swt) is exalted three times by saying “Subhana rabbi al-a’la/Glory be to My Lord, the Most High.” While in sajdah, the face is placed between the two hands with the thumbs together, the hands are not kept away from the face. Women keep their arms against their sides and bring their stomachs close to their thighs; men, however, keep their arms and stomachs far away from their sides and thighs. (Sahih Muslim, Salah, 237)

The sajdah is a state of appeal in which, the more the servant lowers his body, the more his sins are forgiven and his rank is elevated.(Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Salah, 199) The sajdah is done twice in every salah and is the closest moment of the servant to the Lord. For this reason, making du'a extensively during that state is advised. (Sahih Muslim, Salah 215; Sunan Abu Dawud, Salah 147, 148) While in prostration, Prophet Muhammad (saw) would make dua as follows  “O Allah, to You I prostrate myself and in You I believe. To You I have submitted. My face is prostrated to the One Who created it, fashioned it, and gave it hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators!” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 32).