Sajdah
(prostration) 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 exercise, yet
it is being increasingly recognized that it has plenty of medical
advantages for the human body.
The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, mentioned in a Hadeeth
(narration) collected by Ibn Majah, may Allaah have mercy upon him,
that prayer is a cure for many diseases. A person who offers his prayers
regularly, especially in the mosque, is protected from many ailments
some of 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 as the position in which a Muslim is nearest to Allaah The Almighty.
Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported in Saheeh Bukhari that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state)."
Aa`ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrates that the Prophet , sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite
fifty verses (of the Quran) before he lifted his head. (Al-Bukhaari).
In another Hadeeth narrated by Anas bin Malik, may Allaah be pleased with him, the Prophet , sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, 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 the supplication for the victory, he also performed a 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 The Almighty 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 and succor.
Effect on muscles
When a person goes to the position of prostration Sajdah his whole body is in an active motion. In this position, the Musalli (the
person who offers prayer) rests 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 gives them some exercise.
The hands are then stretched out in a manner such that the forearm as well as arm muscles bear the weight in the Sajdah position. This is good exercise for the muscles of the upper limbs. The Prophet , sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, in a Hadeeth
advised people not to put the forearms flatly on the ground but to keep
them elevated above the ground. From the physical point of view, this
is better for the forearm and arm muscles.
Effect on blood circulation
Sajdah
is a unique position as this is the only position in which brain (or
head) becomes lower than the heart, and hence the blood gushes towards
the brain with full force, whereas in all other positions (even when
lying down) the 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 receives more nourishment,
which has a good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration,
psyche and all other cognitive abilities. People who offer their prayers
regularly may have stronger willpower and can cope with the
difficulties of life in much better ways. They are less vulnerable to
headaches, psychological problems and other disorders of the cognitive
functions.
Effect on neck muscles
In the unique position of Sajdah
the neck muscles get the best exercise. They have to bear the load when
the forehead touches 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 lifted. (e.g. one inch above the
ground) and it will be observed that they are in a very active state.
Stronger
cervical muscles mean the cervical vertebra will be better protected.
The strength of the cervical muscles is important, as the head rests
upon cervical vertebra, supported by cervical musculature.
In
fact, the head performs rotator movements over the cervical vertebra.
In case of an accident, examination of the cervical (neck) region is
especially important to physicians.
It
is uncommon that a person who offers his prayers regularly will get
common neck ailments like myalgias or cervical spondylosis, because the
neck muscles in particular become very strong due to the 34 Sajdahs offered daily in five prayers.
Effect on internal organs and muscles
The position of the Sajdah is also said to be a good treatment for the retroversion of the uterus, a disease of women.
Most of us do not know that the position of Sajdah is an excellent exercise for men. While rising from Sajdah the perineal muscles pull the trunk back to sitting position and they contract actively. Similarly, while getting up from Sajdah,
the perenial muscles are again actively mobilised and this gives
strengthens the muscles associated with the male reproductive system.
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 seldom gets a backache.
After performing Sajdah either the Musalli
stands up or he sits to pray. In this position the person sits calmly
while his hands rest at his thighs which are folded backwards. This has a
soothing effect upon one's health and mental condition.
Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to lengthen the position of Ruku' (bending) and Sajdah
and advised others to do so, as well. In the light of the above facts
it is appropriate to say that from the medical point of view this advice
is a golden rule for health.
In
conclusion, we should keep in mind 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 Allaah The Almighty by
fulfilling an obligation.
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