A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
The Advantages of Sajada (Prostration) |
---|
Saffiyah |
04/24/02 at 12:17:23 |
[slm] Dr. Muhammad Karim Beebani, Saudi Gazette >(The Muslim World weekly July 7, 2000) Sajada has plenty of medical advantages >Sajada is a unique position or stance in the regular >prayers, which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least >five times a day. Although the basic purpose of >obligatory prayers is not to provide an exercise for >people yet it is being increasingly recognized that it >has plenty of medical advantages for the human body. >Here it is worth mentioning that Holy Prophet Muhammad >(peace be upon him) has mentioned in a hadith in Ibn >Maja that prayer is a cure for many diseases. >The fact is that a person who offers his prayers >regularly that too in the mosque is protected from >many diseases which he many not even know. The >position of Sajda in which the forehead touches the >earth is exclusively associated with the Muslim form >of prayer. It is the climax of a Muslim's prayer and >as mentioned in a Hadith a Muslim is nearest to Allah >in this position. Abu Huraira (R) reported in Bukhari >that the messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "The nearest >a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating >himself, so make supplication (in this state)" > >Syeda Aisha Siddiqa (R) narrates that Holy Prophet >(pbuh) used to prolong the prostration to such an >extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the >Qur'an) before he would lift his head, (Bukhari). In >another Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik (R) Holy >Prophet (pbuh) advised Muslims to perform Rukuu >(bowing) and Sajda properly.In another Hadith he >(pbuh) advised to perform Sajda and Bowing calmly and >to get up only when the body has come to ease. >Inupplicated for the victory. He (pbuh) also performed >long bowing (Rukuu) and Sajda in the special prayers >at the time of eclipse. >Hence the first positive effect upon a person who >prostrates or does Sajda is that he comes nearest to >Allah and hence in that condition he can supplicate. >This is a great psychological advantage and it gives >relief to the person concerned as life is full of >worries and in this position he gets at least a >transient refuge from the agonizing problems. When a >person goes to the position of prostration Sajda his >whole body is in active motion. This position can be >considered as a mini dive as the musalli (one who >offers prayer) goes to rest his forehead on the ground >while his hands are placed at the sides. This brings >most of the body muscles if not all in active motion >and serves to give them some exercise. > >The hands are then specifically stretched out and >thence the forearm as well as arm muscles are supposed >to bear the weight in the Sajda position. It gives >good exercise to the muscles of the upper limb. Holy >Prophet (pbuh) in a hadith advised not to put the >forearms flatly on the ground but to keep them >elevated above ground and this is better for the >forearm and arm muscles. > >Sajda is a unique position as this is the only >position in which brain (or head) becomes lower than >the heart and hence for the first time the blood >gushes towards the brain with full force whereas in >all other positions (even when lying) brain is above >the heart when it has to work against gravity to send >blood to the brain. > >In the position of Sajda due to the increased blood >supply the brain receive more nourishment and it has >good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, >concentration, psyche and all other cognitive >abilities. > >People who offer their prayers regularly have more >will power and can cope with the difficulties of life >in a much better manner. They have less incidence of >headaches, psychological problems and other defects of >cognitive function. In the unique position of Sajda >the neck muscles get best exercise. They have to bear >the load when the forehead lies at the ground hence >the neck muscles become stronger. One can note the >tense pressure at the neck muscles in the position of >Sajda specially the active motion of the neck and the >facial muscles when the head is being lifted. (e.g. >one inch above the ground) and it will be noticed that >they are in a very active motion. > >More strong cervical muscles mean the cervical >vertebra will be better protected. Strength of >cervical muscles is important as the head rests upon >cervical vertebra supported by cervical musculature. >Infact head performs rotator movements over the >cervical vertebra. In any accident cervical neck >examination is especially important to the physicians >because of its extraordinary importance. > >It is uncommon that a person who offers his prayers >regularly will get the usual neck myalgias or cervical >spondylosis as the neck muscles particularly become >very strong due to the 34 sajdas offered daily in five >prayers. > >Position of Sajda is also said to be a good treatment >for the retroversion of uterus, a disease of women. >Most of us do not know that the position of Sajda is >an excellent exercise for men (for manpower). It may >be a good information to the Viagra dependents. While >getting up from Sajda the perinneal muscles are one of >those muscles which have to pull the trunk back to >sitting position and they contract actively. > >Similarly while standing up from Sajda the perennial >muscles are again actively mobilised and this gives >much strength to the muscles important for manpower. > >The unique position of Sajda also has positive effects >upon the back muscles as while going into Sajda and >getting up from it the back muscle contract actively >and they become stronger. > >Probably it is because of this reason that a person >who is regular in prayers will uncommonly get >backache. > >After performing Sajda either the musalli stands up or >he sits to pray Attahiyyat. In this position the >person sits calmly while his hands rest at his thighs >which are folded backwards. This is much similar to >the relaxation position of Yoga and has soothing >effect upon one's health and mentation. > >Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to elongate the >position of Rukuu (bending) and Sajda positions and he >(pbuh) advised to do so. In the light of the above >facts it is appropriate to say that from medical point >of view as well this advice is a golden rule for >health. > >Finally it must be reminded that prayer is not meant >to be an exercise. However there are a lot of medical >advantages associated with it. Still the best blessing >is the peace of mind, which a person derives by the >accomplishment of his duty to Allah by fulfilling an >obligation. |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |