The Ruling on Humility and Submissiveness in Prayer in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith
Source: Fatāwā Ameenpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
❖ Question:
What is the ruling regarding humility and submissiveness in prayer?
❖ Answer:
Adopting humility in prayer is essential. A prayer devoid of humility and submissiveness becomes empty of tranquility and calmness, causing deprivation from all the benefits and fruits of prayer. Such a prayer does not lead to nearness to Allah ﷻ.
✿ Qur’anic Evidences
Allah ﷻ says:
فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ
(سورۃ الماعون: 4-5)
“So woe to those who pray, those who are heedless of their prayers.”
This includes those who do not maintain focus and attention in prayer, but instead remain lost in worldly thoughts. Their tongues utter the remembrance of Allah, while their hearts and minds remain preoccupied with worldly affairs.
A believer, on the other hand, prays with humility, finds tranquility in prayer, and turns his limbs, heart, and mind entirely towards Allah ﷻ. He is blessed with the light of prayer and attains closeness to Allah ﷻ.
Allah ﷻ further says:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ
(سورۃ المؤمنون: 1-2)
“Certainly, the believers have succeeded: those who are humble in their prayers.”
Such people become beloved to Allah ﷻ. He fulfills their desires, grants them the ability to do good, and they live in His pleasure.
✿ Hadith Evidence
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ما يزال عبدي يتقرب إلى بالنوافل حتى أحبه، فإذا أحببته، كنت سمعه الذى يسمع به، وبصره الذى يبصر به، ويده التى يبطش بها، ورجله التى يمشي بها، وإن سألني، لأعطينه، ولئن استعاذني لأعيذنه
(صحيح البخاري: 6502)
Allah ﷻ says: “My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary deeds until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks of Me, I will surely grant him; and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him.”
Meaning, he uses his limbs only in ways that Allah ﷻ loves, and Allah ﷻ fulfills his every need.
✿ Examples from the Salaf
✔ Mujahid رحمه الله narrates:
كان ابن الزبير إذا قام فى الصلاة كأنه عود من الخشوع
“When Abdullah ibn al-Zubair رضي الله عنه would stand in prayer, due to his humility and submissiveness, he would remain so still as if he were a piece of wood.”
(مصنف ابن أبي شيبة: 7245، حلية الأولياء: 1/335 – Chain authentic, as confirmed by Ibn Hajar رحمه الله in Al-Isabah: 4/81)
✔ Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه said:
أقيموا الصلاة، قال زائدة: فقلت لمنصور: ما يعني بذلك؟ قال: فقال: التمكن فيها
“Establish the prayer.” Zaidah said: I asked Mansur, what does this mean? He replied: “It means to perform it with calmness and composure.”
(مصنف ابن أبي شيبة: 7251 – Authentic chain)
✔ Ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله (597H) said:
اعلم أن وقوف الآدمي فى العبادة على نحو وقوف الخادم بين يدي مالكه، فينبغي له أن يستعمل الأدب
“Know that a person’s standing in worship is just like the standing of a servant before his master; therefore, he must uphold proper etiquette.”
(كشف المُشكِل: 3/233)
