Is it obligatory to place the forehead firmly on the ground during prostration?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : We say that it is not permissible to prostrate without placing the forehead firmly on the ground, and we said that one must place his forehead on the ground. The evidence is the statement of the Companions: if one of us cannot place his forehead on the ground, he spreads his garment. If this was the practice of the Companions, and they did so out of diligence and striving, then if the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was based on recommendation, these people are even more so.
The Shaykh : I was commanded to prostrate. Prostration requires placing the forehead firmly on the ground. When a person prostrates on a body part, he must place it firmly on the ground. For example, if a person leaves his forehead touching the ground without prostrating and pressing it down, it is not prostration.
The questioner : The one who prostrates on wool or sponge, is it not true to say that this person is prostrating?
The Shaykh : No, it is said that this person is merely bowing, because he did not prostrate on the body part. The body part must be the one on which he prostrates, because there is reliance on the body part.
The Shaykh : I was commanded to prostrate. Prostration requires placing the forehead firmly on the ground. When a person prostrates on a body part, he must place it firmly on the ground. For example, if a person leaves his forehead touching the ground without prostrating and pressing it down, it is not prostration.
The questioner : The one who prostrates on wool or sponge, is it not true to say that this person is prostrating?
The Shaykh : No, it is said that this person is merely bowing, because he did not prostrate on the body part. The body part must be the one on which he prostrates, because there is reliance on the body part.