"The Prophet (ﷺ) was commanded to prostrate on seven parts of his body and not to tuck up his hair or his garment."
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1093
Hadith Text
"The Prophet (ﷺ) was commanded to prostrate on seven parts of his body and not to tuck up his hair or his garment."
Commentary on the Seven Parts for Prostration
The seven parts mentioned in this hadith refer to: the forehead (including the nose), both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet. This constitutes the proper form of sujood as practiced by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
Scholars have consensus that these seven points must touch the ground during prostration. The forehead and nose must make contact, demonstrating complete humility before Allah. The hands should be placed with fingers together facing the qiblah.
Prohibition of Tucking Hair and Garment
The command "not to tuck up his hair or his garment" emphasizes the importance of complete submission and humility in prayer. Tucking would indicate preparation for discomfort from the ground, showing lack of complete trust in Allah.
This teaching reinforces that in prayer, one should focus solely on Allah's remembrance without concern for worldly appearances or comforts. The prostration represents the ultimate state of submission to the Creator.
Legal Rulings Derived
This hadith establishes the obligatory nature of prostrating on seven limbs. Failure to place any of these parts on the ground without valid excuse invalidates the prostration.
The prohibition against tucking applies to both men and women, though women have additional considerations regarding awrah. The essence remains: complete focus on worship without distraction by worldly concerns.
Spiritual Significance
The seven points of contact symbolize complete physical submission mirroring spiritual surrender. Each part touching the ground represents an aspect of worldly attachment being abandoned for Allah's sake.
Not tucking hair or clothes teaches us to approach prayer with natural simplicity, trusting Allah completely rather than relying on personal arrangements for comfort.