He heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "When a person prostrates, seven parts of his body prostrate with him: his forehead, his two hands, his two knees and his two feet."
Hadith Text & Reference
"He heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'When a person prostrates, seven parts of his body prostrate with him: his forehead, his two hands, his two knees and his two feet.'"
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1099 | The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Commentary on the Seven Prostrating Parts
This hadith establishes the essential physical components of proper prostration (sujūd) in prayer. The seven specified members must all make contact with the ground simultaneously during prostration, demonstrating complete physical submission to Allah.
The forehead includes the nose, as established in other narrations. The hands refer to the palms being firmly placed on the ground. The knees and feet must be properly positioned with toes pointing toward the qiblah.
Legal Rulings & Scholarly Consensus
The majority of scholars consider proper contact of all seven limbs as a pillar (rukn) of prayer. Omitting any intentionally invalidates the prayer according to most schools of jurisprudence.
The Hanafi school considers it wajib (obligatory) rather than a pillar, meaning prayer is valid but deficient if omitted unintentionally. All schools agree these seven points represent the minimum required contact during prostration.
Spiritual Significance
The number seven holds symbolic importance in Islamic tradition, representing completeness and perfection. This comprehensive physical engagement reflects total submission of both body and soul to the Creator.
Each contacting member represents a different aspect of human capability - the forehead (intellect), hands (action), knees (mobility), and feet (foundation) - all humbled before Divine Majesty.