The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We have been ordered to prostrates on seven bones and not to tuck up the clothes or hair."
Hadith Text & Reference
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We have been ordered to prostrate on seven bones and not to tuck up the clothes or hair."
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 810
Commentary on the Seven Bones
The seven bones refer to the specific body parts that must touch the ground during prostration (sujūd): the forehead (including the nose), both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet. This establishes the proper form of prostration as an act of complete humility before Allah.
Scholars emphasize that the forehead and nose must make contact with the ground, demonstrating total submission. The hands should be placed level with the shoulders or ears, while the knees and toes provide stable support, forming the complete structure of this fundamental act of worship.
Prohibition of Tucking Clothes & Hair
The prohibition against tucking clothes (kasr) or hair during prayer prevents artificial elevation and ensures the worshipper's posture remains natural and humble. This ruling applies to both men and women and covers any act of gathering or folding garments that might lift them from the ground.
This teaching reflects the Islamic principle of avoiding ostentation in worship and maintaining the prescribed form without alteration. It ensures the prostration remains a position of maximum humility, with nothing intervening between the worshipper's prescribed body parts and the place of prayer.
Spiritual Significance
This hadith illustrates the precision required in Islamic worship, where physical acts carry deep spiritual meaning. The seven points of contact symbolize complete submission, while the prohibition of tucking represents sincerity and avoidance of artificiality in one's relationship with the Creator.
The comprehensive nature of these instructions demonstrates that Islam regulates both the internal intention and external form of worship, ensuring the prayer becomes a complete manifestation of servitude to Allah in both spirit and body.