Dr. Muhammad Karim Beebani, Saudi Gazette
(The Muslim World weekly July 7, 2000)
Sajdah 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
Muhammadhas mentioned in a hadeeth in Ibn Majah 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
Sajdah 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 Hadeeth a Muslim is
nearest to Allaah in this position.
Abu Huraira reported in Bukhari that the messenger of Allaah (pbuh)
said: "The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is
prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state)"
Syeda Aa`ishah Siddiqa (Ra) narrates that the "Holy Prophet
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 Hadeeth narrated by Anas bin Malik Holy Prophet (pbuh)
advised Muslims to perform Ruku (bowing) and Sajdah properly.
In another Hadeeth he advised to perform Sajdah and Bowing
calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease.
In supplication for the victory. He also performed long bowing
(Ruku) and Sajdah in the special prayers at the time of
eclipse. Hence the first positive effect upon a person who
prostrates or does Sajdah is that he comes nearest to Allaah
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 Sajdah 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 Sajdah position. It gives good exercise to the muscles
of the upper limb. Holy Prophet (pbuh) in a hadeeth 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.
Sajdah 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 Sajdah 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 Sajdah 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
Sajdah 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
sajdahs offered daily in five prayers.
Position of Sajdah 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 Sajdah is an
excellent exercise for men (for manpower). It may be a good
information to the Viagra dependents. While getting up from
Sajdah 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 Sajdah the
perennial muscles are again actively mobilised and this gives
much strength to the muscles important for manpower.
The unique position of Sajdah also has positive effects upon
the back muscles as while going into Sajdah 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 Sajdah 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 used to elongate the position of Ruku
(bending) and Sajdah positions and he 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.