He heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "When a person prostrates, seven parts of his body prostrate: his face, his two palms, his two knees and his two feet."
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together) - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1094
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith establishes the seven points of contact during prostration (sujūd), which are essential for the validity of prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explicitly mentions: the face (including forehead and nose), both palms, both knees, and both feet.
Juridical Significance
According to the majority of scholars, touching all seven limbs to the ground is obligatory (wājib) in prostration. The Hanafi school considers it sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized tradition).
The face must include both forehead and nose touching the ground. The palms should be placed flat with fingers directed toward the qiblah. Knees should firmly touch the ground, and feet should have toes bent with tops of feet facing downward.
Spiritual Dimensions
Prostration represents the ultimate state of submission to Allah. These seven points symbolize complete humility before the Creator. The number seven itself carries significance in Islamic tradition, representing perfection and completeness in worship.
Each limb touching the ground testifies to the servant's total surrender, with the face - the most honored part - humbling itself before the Divine Majesty.
Practical Implementation
The worshiper must ensure all seven parts touch the ground simultaneously during prostration. Women should keep their limbs closer together while men should spread them moderately.
This teaching ensures uniformity in prayer posture while maintaining the essence of complete physical submission that reflects spiritual humility before Allah Almighty.