4/44. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 490a — Seven Bones of Prostration
The Limbs Of Prostration And The Prohibition Of Tucking Up One's Hair And Garment Or Having Ones Hair In A Braid When Praying
Hadith About the Seven Bones of Sujood in Prayer
Sahih Muslim : 490a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 490a
وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَأَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الزَّهْرَانِيُّ، قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ أُمِرَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَسْجُدَ عَلَى سَبْعَةٍ وَنُهِيَ أَنْ يَكُفَّ شَعْرَهُ وَثِيَابَهُ . هَذَا حَدِيثُ يَحْيَى . وَقَالَ أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ عَلَى سَبْعَةِ أَعْظُمٍ وَنُهِيَ أَنْ يَكُفَّ شَعْرَهُ وَثِيَابَهُ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالرُّكْبَتَيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ وَالْجَبْهَةِ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) had been commanded that he should prostrate on the seven (bones) and he was forbidden to fold back the hair and clothing. And in the narration transmitted by Abu Rabi' (the words are):" on the seven bones and I was forbidden to fold back the hair and clothing". According to Abu'l-Rabi' (the seven bones are): The hands, the knees, and the (extremities) of the feet and the forehead.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 490aIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 257USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 991
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 490a
This Hadith explains the correct form of sujood by naming the seven bones or body parts connected to prostration. Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was commanded to prostrate on seven, and that he was forbidden to fold back hair and clothing. In the narration of Abu Rabi', the seven are explained as the hands, knees, extremities of the feet, and the forehead. The Hadith is practical and easy to apply. It teaches that sujood has a proper form, not just a general lowering of the body. For someone searching for the seven bones of sujood, this narration gives the core answer from the text itself.
What we learn from this hadith
- Sujood is to be made on seven parts mentioned in the narration.
- The hands, knees, feet, and forehead are part of the described prostration.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was forbidden to fold back hair and clothing during prayer.
- The form of prayer matters, not only the intention behind it.
