How to Become One of the People of Long Prostration

Question

Peace be upon you. May Allah accept your deeds. How can we become among those who perform long prostrations? It is often mentioned about the prostration of Yunus, which scholars used to practice at least 400 times.

Answer 1

Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you. There are many narrations encouraging long prostration, including one from the Prophet (peace be upon him) stating: 'Whoever prostrates, a sin is removed from him and a rank is raised for him.' Our Master Al-Ridha (peace be upon him) said: 'The servant is closest to Allah when he is in prostration, as stated in the verse: 'And prostrate and draw near.' Regarding your question on how to become one of the people of long prostration, it is essential to consider some important points: 1. It has been narrated from our Master Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him): 'A little that you persist in is better than a lot that you get bored with.' This is the essence of the advice from scholars of ethics, which suggests that one should not start with a difficult task that may lead to fatigue and cessation. It is better to gradually train oneself and monitor progress in this matter. 2. Pay attention to the state of your soul, as it has its ups and downs. Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) said: 'Indeed, hearts have their inclinations and retreats. When they incline, carry them towards the supererogatory prayers, and when they retreat, limit them to the obligatory prayers.' This is an important consideration: if you feel a heavy burden during acts of worship, do not overdo the prostration at that time. However, if you feel inclined and motivated for worship, prostrate as much as you can while keeping the first point in mind. 3. Reflect on the prostration and the remembrance of Allah. Worship performed with contemplation elevates the worshiper from one state to another and brings them closer to the Almighty. As for the Yunus remembrance, which is the last part of your question, we refer to what was mentioned in the introduction of the magazine 'Sha'ir' overseen by the late Sheikh Hussein Korani, may Allah sanctify his soul: 'The Yunus remembrance is the verse from Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 87: "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." This was the supplication of the Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him), and through these words, he was answered and saved by Allah from the belly of the whale. The Yunus prostration refers to reciting this remembrance during prostration. The Yunus remembrance holds a special status in purifying the inner self and fulfilling worldly needs, akin to a distinguished form of seeking forgiveness, as evident from noble narrations: - In 'Tibb al-A'immah' by the sons of Bustam al-Nisaburi, Imam Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: 'The supplication of the distressed and the one who is overwhelmed by calamity is: "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers," to be recited on Friday night after completing the obligatory prayer of the last evening.' - He also said: 'I am amazed at the one who is distressed; how does he not resort to saying: "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers?" For I have heard Allah, the Exalted, say after it: "So We responded to him and saved him from distress, and thus do We save the believers."' - In 'Al-Kafi' by Al-Kulayni, it is narrated that a man from Khurasan met him in Rabdhah and said: 'May I be your ransom! I have not been granted a child.' The Imam (peace be upon him) replied: 'When you return to your homeland and wish to go to your family, recite: "And [mention] when Yunus said, while he was angry, 'Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers,'" up to three verses, for you will be granted a child, if Allah wills.' Scholars emphasize the importance of consistently reciting this remembrance. Sheikh Malaki al-Tabrizi mentioned in 'Al-Muraqabat': 'I had a revered teacher during my studies in Najaf, who was a reference for the pious students of his time in education. I asked him about the physical practices that affect the state of the seeker towards Allah, and he mentioned two things: One of them is to perform one long prostration every day and night, reciting: "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers," intending that my soul is imprisoned in the prison of nature and bound by the chains of immoral traits, and that I have made myself imprisoned in this prison through my actions, and I declare my Lord free from having done this to me unjustly; rather, I am the one who has wronged myself and placed myself in these perils. He used to recommend this prostration to his companions, and everyone who practiced it recognized its impact on their states, especially those who prolonged their prostration. Some of his companions would say it a thousand times, some less, and some more, and I heard that some would say the remembrance three thousand times. The second is to wear a ring of turquoise or agate.' In a letter from the knowledgeable jurist Sayyid Ali al-Qadi to his students regarding acts of worship in Rajab, Sha'ban, and Ramadan, he said: 'You should adhere to the usual supplications that each of you has, and the customary prostration from 500 to 1000.' The customary prostration refers to the Yunus prostration. Sayyid Abdul Karim al-Kashmiri was asked about the starting point in remembering Allah, and he said: 'Reciting the Quran and the Yunus prostration.' Sayyid Hashim al-Haddad mentioned that it is beneficial in lifting the veils from the heart and is effective in knowing oneself and knowing Allah. In any case, the words of specialized scholars converge on the importance of the Yunus remembrance, and it can be said that it ranks second after sending blessings upon the Prophet and his family, which is considered the foremost remembrance. May Allah grant us and you success in what He loves and is pleased with.