SAJDA*~*MEDICAL ADVANTAGES~DURING 'SAJDA' 

'Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam `ala Rasulillah'.

'As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.'

'And to Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens 

and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows

 [as well] in the mornings and the afternoons'.

{Source: 'Quran'~ Surat Ar-Ra`d~ (The Thunder) ~ سورة الرعد 13 A# 15}

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'Sajda' (Prostration) is a unique position or stance in the regular prayers, which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least five (5) times a day. Although the basic purpose of obligatory prayers is not to provide an exercise for people yet it is being increasingly recognized that it has plenty of medical advantages for the human body {!}

Here it is worth mentioning that Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) has mentioned in a 'Hadith' in Ibn Maja...

' Prayer   is  a  Cure for  many  Diseases'...

 The position of 'Sajda' in which the forehead touches the ground is exclusively associated with the Muslim form of prayer.

 In a Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik (R.A.) 

Prophet (peace be upon him) advised Muslims to perform 'Rukuu' (bowing) and 'Sajda' (Prostration) properly. 

In another 'Hadith' he (peace be upon him) advised to perform 'Sajda' (Prostration) and Bowing calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease.

Hence the first positive effect upon a person who prostrates or does 'Sajda' (Prostration) is that he comes nearest to Allah and hence in that condition he can supplicate.

Psychological  advantage:

This is a great psychological advantage and it gives relief  to the person concerned as life is full of worries and in this position he gets at least a transient refuge from agonizing problems.When a person goes to the position of 'Sajda' (Prostration)  his whole body is in active motion. This position can be considered as a mini dive as the 'Musalli' (one who offers prayer) goes to rest his forehead on the ground while his hands are placed at the sides.

This brings most of the body muscles if not all in  active motion and serves to give them some exercise. 

The hands are then specifically stretched out and thence the forearm as well as arm muscles are supposed to bear the weight in the Sajda (Prostration) position.

It gives good exercise to the muscles of the upper limb.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) in a 'Hadith' advised us not to put the forearms flatly on the ground but to keep them elevated above ground and this is better for the forearm and arm muscles.Sajda (Prostration) is a unique position as this is the only position in which brain (or head) becomes lower than the heart and hence for the first time the blood gushes towards the brain with full force...! 

whereas in all other positions (even when lying) brain is above the heart when it has to work against gravity to send blood to the brain.

In the position of 'Sajda' (Prostration) due to the increased blood supply the brain receives more nourishment and it has good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration,    psyche and all other cognitive abilities !People who offer their prayers regularly have more 

will power and can cope with the difficulties of life in a much better manner.

They have less incidence of headaches, psychological problems and other defects of cognitive function. 

In the unique position of Sajda (Prostration) the neck muscles get best exercise. They have to bear the load when the forehead lies at the ground hence the neck muscles become stronger. One can note the tense pressure at the neck muscles in the position of 'Sajda' (Prostration) specially the active motion of the neck and the facial muscles when the head is being lifted. (e.g. one inch above the ground) and it will be noticed that they are in a very active motion.

More strong cervical muscles mean the cervical vertebra will be better protected. Strength of cervical muscles is important as the head rests upon cervical vertebra supported by cervical musculature. In fact head performs rotator movements over the cervical vertebra.

In any accident cervical neck examination is especially important to the physicians because of its extraordinary importance. It is uncommon that a person who offers his prayers regularly will get the usual neck Myalgias or cervical Spondylosis as the neck muscles particularly become very strong due to the  'Sajdas' (Prostrations) offered daily in five prayers...{!}

The unique position of 'Sajda' (Prostration) also has positive effects upon the back muscles as while going into Sajda and getting up from it the back muscle contract actively and they become stronger. Probably it is because of this reason that a person who is regular in prayers will (rarely) get a backache.

Finally it must be reminded that (even though) prayer is not meant to be an exercise, there are a lot of medical advantages associated with it. Still the best blessing is the peace of mind, which a person derives by the accomplishment of his duty to Allah by fulfilling an obligation.

{ Source: of Article ~ Dr. Muhammad Karim Beebani, Saudi Gazette.}

Compiled,edited and adapted by khalid Latif

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