It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin abi Awfi that he said, 'A man came to the Prophet and said, 'I am not able to remember any portion of the Qurʾán, then teach me that which is proper for me to say (in place thereof)." He replied, "Say, 'Glory be to God!' and, 'Praise be to God!' and, 'There is no God but Alláh' and, 'God, is great, there is no power and no strength but in God.'" He said, "O Apostle of God, this all has reference to God, but what is there which has reference to me?" The Prophet replied, "Say, 'O God, have mercy on me, and forgive me, and guide me, and give me my daily bread.'" The man spoke thus (beckoning) with his hands and then closed them. Then the Apostle of God said, "Verily this man has filled his two hands with good."'—Abú Dáud.
On the Genuflection called Ruqúʿ[1]
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Perform the bowing and the prostrations,[2] for by God! I certainly see you from behind me."—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Have I not been forbidden to recite the Qurʾán whilst bowing down and prostrating; and as for the bowing down magnify God therein, and in the prostrations be diligent in supplication. It is fitting that they should be granted to you."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Masʿúduʾl-Anṣari that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The prayer of a man will not be accepted until he straightens his back in the bowing and in the prostrations."'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí, An Nasái, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Auf bin Málik that he said, 'I stood up with the Apostle of God; and when he bowed he stayed in that position for a time equal to that occupied in the recital of chapter Baqarah[3]; and he said in his bowing, "Praise be to God, the One endued with power and royalty and majesty and greatness."'—An Nasái.
- ↑ It is made by bending the head forward with the palms of the hands resting upon the knees. Here translated 'bow.'
- ↑ The Sajdah, here translated 'prostration' is made by bowing down on the knees until the forehead touches the ground.
- ↑ This chapter of the Qurʾán contains two hundred and eighty-five verses.
