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  • What Includes Arabic Word سجد Sajada

    Posted by Daniyaa Khan on May 30, 2025 at 7:42 pm

    Assalamualaikum

    According to Quran 41:37, prostration (sajdah) is not allowed for anyone except Allah—and if I’m not wrong based on this verse, Janab Javed Ahmad Ghamidi sahab says that even bowing (to the extent of ruku) is not permissible for anyone other than Allah—There is a my question regarding this:

    In the Arabic language, the word sajdah is used in a broad sense. As Janab Ghamidi Sahab himself explains, sajdah doesn’t just refer to the technical act of prostration, but also includes bowing (i.e., ruku). So then, how can we claim that bowing the head or lightly bowing (but not fully like in ruku) or culturally greeting with different forms of respectful bows is not included under the Arabic word sajada?

    Why doesn’t the word sajada cover all such gestures of bowing or lowering oneself in respect?

    And how can we be certain that when the Quran forbids prostration to anyone other than Allah, it is not just referring to the technical sajdah (with forehead on the ground) but also includes bowing (ruku) and other forms of respect?

    While it is absolutely correct that we must not imitate the prayer posture (no qiyam, no ruku, no sajdah means shouldn’t do any action we perform in our salah) for anyone other than Allah, I just want to confirm: how do we know for sure that when the Quran prohibits sajdah, it includes not just the technical act but also general bowing or gestures of respect?

    If the Arabic word sajada is used for various forms of bowing, how can we be certain that all other kinds of respectful gestures are not included in the prohibition?

    Daniyaa Khan replied 1 day, 23 hours ago 2 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • What Includes Arabic Word سجد Sajada

    Daniyaa Khan updated 1 day, 23 hours ago 2 Members · 3 Replies
  • Dr. Irfan Shahzad

    Scholar May 31, 2025 at 1:16 am

    Except for prostration, the other gestures are adopted to show respect to others in in every culture and the same are used to show respect to God. Common gestures are allowed to show respect to others, but prostration is not allowed for others. It is supposed to be only for God.

  • Daniyaa Khan

    Member May 31, 2025 at 10:46 am

    JAZAK ALLAH

    Sir

    But my question is quite different. I do have an understanding of the response you shared recently, but my question focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’, and the actual meaning of these words.

    @Umer25

    Could you please take a look into this as well

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