① Sujood as a Means to Enter Paradise
Sayyiduna Thawban رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about a deed that would lead to Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"Make abundant prostrations to Allah, for you will not make a single prostration except that Allah will raise you one degree because of it and erase a sin from you."
(Muslim, As-Salah, Chapter: Virtue of Sujood and Encouragement Upon It, 488)
② Ibn ‘Umar’s Advice to a Young Man
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما saw a young man praying a long prayer and said:
"If I knew him, I would advise him to increase his ruku‘ and sujood, for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘When the servant stands for prayer, all his sins are brought and placed upon his shoulders. Every time he bows or prostrates, his sins fall away from him (until he becomes cleansed of them).’"
(Silsilah al-Ahadith as-Sahihah by al-Albani, 1398)
③ Sins Falling Away in Sujood
Sayyiduna Salman al-Farisi رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When a Muslim performs Salah, his sins hover over his head. When he prostrates, those sins continue to fall off until he finishes the prayer completely cleansed of them."
(Silsilah al-Ahadith as-Sahihah by al-Albani, 2430)
④ Sujood: Elevation of Ranks and Forgiveness
Sayyiduna Abu Umamah رضي الله عنه reported that he asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to tell him of a deed he could always adhere to. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Know that you will not make a single prostration to Allah except that Allah will raise you one degree by it and erase one sin from you."
(Silsilah al-Ahadith as-Sahihah by al-Albani, 1488)
⑤ The Closest Moment to Allah
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The closest a servant is to his Lord is while he is in prostration, so make plenty of supplication therein."
(Muslim, As-Salah, Chapter: What is Said in Ruku‘ and Sujood, 482)
