The Dhikr of Prostration

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: "I prayed together with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When he went down into prostration he said, 'Subhana Rabbiya l-A'la.'" This dhikr was our Prophet's constant practice in prostration. Prostration is the moment when the servant is nearest to Allah. Indeed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The moment the servant is closest to his Lord is the moment of prostration. So make much dua in prostration" (Sahih Muslim, Salat 215).

Prostration is the loftiest expression of servanthood. By placing the face, the noblest part of the body, on the ground, a person shows complete submission to his Lord. To say in that state "Subhana Rabbiya l-A'la" — that is, "I declare my Lord, the Most High, free of every kind of imperfection" — is the finest way for the servant to express his own powerlessness and his Lord's exaltedness. In the Noble Qur'an it is commanded, "Prostrate and draw near" (al-Alaq 19). This command shows that prostration is the most important means of drawing near to Allah.

According to the Hanafi school it is sunnah to say this tasbih at least three times in prostration. Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "A person praying alone may say this tasbih five times, seven times, or more." Prostration is a unique act of worship in which the servant unites bodily and verbal worship, remembering his Lord with both heart and tongue.