SAJDA E SHUKR- THE PROSTRATION OF THANKSGIVING     Mp3 lecture with duas on sajda shukr  

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Prostration of thanksgiving after every mandatory prayer was the practice ( Sunnat e Muwakkida) of the Prophet ( a.s.).Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s.) has hinted at it’s being mandatory and said that when a person makes a prostration of thanksgiving, Allah addresses the angels and tells them that a sincere creature is doing the Sajda e Shukr. He asks the angels to suggest what Reward must be given to the person. The angels would suggest that Allah keep His Blessings with the person for his act. Allah will again ask them what else should be the Reward for the person? The angels say,’ O Sustainer! Give him a place in the Heaven!’ Allah will again ask the angels,’ What else?’ The angels reply, ‘ O Allah! Give a place in the Heaven for the person’s parents and children, as well!’ Allah will again ask the angels to suggest some more Reward for the person. The angels would reply,’ We have made suggestions to the best of our knowledge! We have nothing else to suggest! You know everything!’ Then Allah would say,’ The person has thanked Me in all sincerity and humility, therefore, in return, I too shall thank him!

Imam Reza (a.s.) has said that while making the prostration of thanksgiving, a person should say 'Shukran lillah' atleast three times. Also he should say a 100 times 'Afwan' or 'Shukran'. Either in prostration he should first say a hundred times Afwan or 'Al-afu Al-afu.' Then he should keep the right cheek at the place of prostration and s make any supplication as, for example, Ya Allaho, Ya Rabbaho, Ya Syedaho. Similarly he should keep his left cheek at the place of prostration and say the same words. In the end he should place his forehead at the same spot and repeat Shukran Shukran ya Shukran Allah a hundred times.

Remember that this prostration is not a part of the mandatory prayer.  While doing this, the person should place his chest and the tummy on the ground, spread his arms and keep his kness flat on the ground. He should pray for the welfare of himself and all the momineen with tearful eyes. Allah likes his creatures imploring Him for help in this manner.

Similarly, it has been reported from an authentic source that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that if a believer performs a sijdah of gratitude to Allah for any blessing from Him other than a sijdah in the course of salaat, Allah records for him ten virtues, forgives him ten sins and elevates his position in heaven by ten grades. It has been reported from a number of authentic sources that the Imam (a.s.) has said that man is nearest to Allah when he is in sijdah to Allah in a state of weeping. He is reported to have said in another tradition that every Muslim should perform a sijdah of gratitude, complete his salaat with the sijdah, seek the pleasure of Allah through it and astonish the angels. When a man completes his salaat with the sijdah of gratitude, Allah lifts the veil subsisting between the angels and man and addresses them, "O Angels, look at my creature who has performed his duty to Me and discharges his promise to Me and has then prostrated in gratitude to Me for all the blessings that I have bestowed on him. O angels, what shall I give him?" They respond, "O God, Your mercy." He asks, "What else?" They reply, "O God, Your Heaven." Again He asks, "What else?" They say, "Provide him his necessities and fulfill his wishes." Allah continues to repeat the question and the angels respond till they are unable to provide further reply and say that they do not know when Allah says, "I too must thank him as he has done, grant him prosperity by My grace and treat him with My great mercy on the Day of Judgement." 

It has been reported from an authentic source that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has said that the Creator of the Universes made Ibrahim his friend because of his many prostrations. In another authentic tradition he is reported to have said that if one remembers a favour bestowed by Allah and there is no fear that enemies would notice, one must place one's cheek on the ground but if the situation is such that enemies are around and it is not possible to make a sijdah, one must place one's hands on the lower abdomen and make a bow in humility to Allah and place the hands on the abdomen so that the enemies might think one has gripes in the stomach. There are numerous reports about Allah having asked Hadhrat Moosa if he knew why Allah had chosen him and made him Kaleem, that is spoken to him. Hadhrat Moosa replied that he did not know. Allah said, "I am well aware of My creatures. Of all of them, I have not seen one whose soul is more humble towards Me than yours as when you complete your prayers you place your both cheeks on the earth." It has been reported from an authentic source that Imam Ridha (a.s.) has said that sijdah on completion of obligatory salaat is an expression of gratitude to Allah for the fortune He bestowed on His creature to fulfill his duty and the least that  must be said in the sijdah is to state three times: Sukr Allah He was asked what the phrase meant and he replied that it is thanking Allah for the good fortune He grant to serve Him and fulfill duty to Him. He added that thanking Allah is a cause for increased bounties and good fortune to obey Him and if there is any shortcoming in salaat which is not cured by the nafilah (optional prayers) then it is remedied by sijdah. the late author states that the sijdah can be performed in any manner it is better done on earth in the way it is performed in obligatory salaat by placing seven parts of the body on the ground with the forehead as it is placed during salaat. Still preferable it to place the forearm on the ground contrary to the procedure in the obligatory salaat and to reach the abdomen to the ground. It is recommended that the forehead is first placed on the ground, then the right and then the left check, and finally the forehead is again placed on the ground. Hence it is termed two sijdahs. Actually no utterance is necessary in such a sijdah but it is recommended that there be a recitation and supplication which will be set out below. It is to recommended that it be prolonged. It is reported that Imam Moosa Kadhim (a.s.) would remain in the sijdah from dawn till noon and from the afternoon (asr) evening. According to another report for over ten years, the Imam (a.s.) would remain in sijdah from sunrise till noon. It has been reliably reported that Imam Ridha (a.s.) remained in sijdah for so long that the stones on the ground of the mosque would become wet with his perspiration and he would place both his cheeks on the ground of the mosque. 

It is stated in 'Rijale Kashi' that Fadhal bin Shadhaan approached ibne Abi Omeyr when he was in sijdah which he prolonged considerably. When he lifted his head he was told about the time he took in the sijdah he said. "If you had seen the prostration of Jameel bin Darraj, you would not have found my prostration long at all." The day he approached Jameel who proloned his sijdah even longer than ibne Abi Omeyr. When he lifted his head and Fadhal mentioned how long his sijdah was, he responded, "If you had seen the sijdah of Ma'roof bin Kharraboodh, you would have regarded my sijdah an easy one." Fadhal bin Sadhaan has similarly reported that Hasan bin Ali bin Fadhdhaal would proceed to a forest for worship and would elongate his sijdah that birds would sit on his back in the belief that a cloth had been there and wild beasts would graze around him but he would not be frightened by them. Likewise he has reported that Ali bin Mehzyaar would prostrate to sijdah at sunrise and would not lift his head until he had prayed for a thousand of his brothers in the manner in which they would have prayed for themselves. As a result of the long prostrations he had a callosity of the kind found on the knees of angels. He also reported that ibne Abi Omeyr would proceed into sijdah of gratitude after salaat of Fajr and would remain in sijdah till noon. 

Supplication in sijdah 

Numerous supplications have been reported :-

First: It has been reliably reported from Imam Ridha (a.s.) that one may recite, as one pleases, a hundred times: "Shukran shukraa" or "Afwan afwaa". It is stated in "Uyoone Akhbaare Ridha" from Raja' bin Abi Dhahhak that on his way to Khoorasan, Imam Ridha (a.s.) made a sijdah of thanks every time on completion of his supplications after Zohar prayers and recited a hundred times, "Shukran Iillah" and on completion of his supplications after the Asr salaat he said in the sijdah a hundred times, "Hamdan Iillah". 

Second: Sheikh Kulayni has reported from an authentic source that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that man is closest to Allah at the time when he is in sijdah addressing Him; when in sijdah, he should say: 

Ya rabool arbabay wa ya malikal malukay wa ya saida sadatay wa ya jabaral jababaratay wa ya illahil alayhatay salay allah mohamaddin wa allay mohammadin. and then ask for his wishes and say: Fa inni ubdoka na saita fi kabzatika 

 Then he may supplicate for any wishes as Allah is forgiving and the grating of any wish is not difficult for Him. 

Third: Kulayni has reported from a reliable source that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that he had heard his father one night weeping in sijdah in a mosque and supplicating:

Subhanaka Allahummah antah rabbi hakkan hakkan sajatoo laka yarabbay taaboodan wa reqqan Allahummah annah amali jaiifa fajjah ifhu li Allahummah kini ajabaka yyommah tabato ibadakay wa tub allah innaka anttat tawabo Rahim. 

Fourth: Kulayni has reported from an authentic source that Imam Moosa (a.s.) used to recite the following in sijdah: 

Aujobikah minarin hurohal yuthfa wa aujobekah minarin jadido ha al yubla aujobeka minarin atsah nooha aa yuruwah wa aujobeka minarin masloobuha layuksa.

Fifth: Kulayni has also reported from an authentic source that a man complained to Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the mother of his child was sick. The Imam asked him to recite in the sijdah of thanks after every obligatory salaat: 

Yaa raoofo ya rahimo ya rabbay ya saeedi 

and then ask for his wishes. 

Sixth: It is stated in very reliable report that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and Imam Kadhim (a.s.) said numerous times in the sijdah of thanks:

s alookar rahata indalmautay wal afwah inal hisabay. 

Seventh: It has been authentically reported form Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that he would say in sijdah: 

Sajadah wajhil laimo lay wajhay rabbil karim 

Eight: It is reported in some of the authentic books that Imam Ameeril Mu'mineen (a.s.) has stated that the best utterance in the eyes of Allah is to say three times in sijdah:

IInni Jalamto nafsi fagfirli 

Ninth: It is reported from an authentic source in 'Ja'feriyyat' that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that the Holy Messenger (saww) used to say in sijdah: 

Allahummah Magferatuka Ausao min zoonoobi warahmatoka arja indi min amli fagfirli zoonoobi ya haiyan layamaut. 

Tenth: Qutub Rawandi has reported from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that if a person in hardship and grief becomes depressed having reached his limit of tolerance, he should prostrate in sijdah and say: 

Ya mujillah kullay jabbarin ya moijjah kullay jalilin kadwa haqqika balaga majhudah fasali alah mohammadin wa allah mohammadin wa farraz anni. 

In 'Iddat-ul-Daee" it is reported from the Imam (a.s.) that if a man feels anguish and grief he should make bare his knees and hands upto his elbows and place them on the ground and bring his chest to the ground and ask for his wishes. 

Eleventh: Ibne Babawayah reports from an authentic source that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has stated that when a person says thrice in sijdah: Ya Allaho ya rabbaho ya saidaho. 

Allah responds, "Labaik, O my creature, ask for your wishes. It is stated in "Makarimul Akhlaq' that whoever says in sijdah: Ya rabbaho ya saidaho   till his full breath, Allah invites him to ask for his wishes. 

Twelfth: It is reported in 'Makarimul Akhlaq' from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the Holly Messenger (saww) passed by a man who was reciting in sijdah: 

Ya rabbay majaalaykah antulji anni kulloh mankanah lahoo indi ta abata wa an tagfirli zoonoobi wa antood khilanil zaanaatah ba rahmatekah fainaamah afooka anniz jalayminah wa anna minazalaymina fal tasaani rahmatoka ya arrhaamarrahaymin. 

The Holy Messenger (saww) asked him to lift his head as his wishes had been granted as he had recited a supplication of the Prophets of the people of Aad. 

The late author states that he has set out some supplications of Mafatihul Jinaan to be recited in the Mosque of Kufa and the Mosque of Zaid and which can also be recited in the sijdah of thanks. 

Sheikh Toosi has stated in 'Misbah' that it is recommended to pray for one's brothers in the sijdah of thanks and say: 

Allah hummah rabbal fajre wal layalil ashray wasafay wal watray wal layillay iza yasray warabbah kullay sain waalleha kullay sain wa khalika kullayh sain wa malikah wa maliykah kullay sain salleh allah mohammadin wa allahay wafall bii.... 

Our Imams (a.s.) used to make long prostrations of thanksgiving. Specially Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) used to do the sajda after completing his fajr prayer which stretched well into the sun up. When he was asked about his Sajda e Shukr, the Imam (a.s.) said, one should recite the following supplication while doing the Sajda:

O Allah I bear witness to you, your angels and your prophets and your messengers and all your creations, that you Allah, is my Lord and Islam is my religion and Mohammed is my prophet, Ali, Hassan, Husain, Ali son of Husain, and Mohammed son of Ali,  Jaffer son of Muhammad, Musa son of Jaffer,  Ali son of Musa, Muhammad son of Ali, Ali son of Muhammad, Hassan son of Ali and  the Proof, son of Hassan , are my Imams and  I follow them and denounce their enemies..
 


 

Allahumma inni ashaduka wa ashadu malaekateka wa ambiyaeka wa rusuleka wa jamieh qalkeka annaka allaho rabbi wal islamo deeni wa Muhammadan nabiee wa Aliyan wal Hassane wal Hussaine wa Ali ibnal Hussaine wa Mohammed ibne aliyyin wa Jafar ibne Mohammedin wa Moosa ibne Jafar wa Ali ibne Moosa wa Mohammed ibne Aliyyin wa Ali ibne Mohammedin wal Hassan ibne Aliyyin wal Hujjata ibnal Hassane ayyimmati behim atwallah wa min aadayehim atabbara

Then the person should recite Shukran a hundred times and also say the Salawat. Afterwards he should say thrice: 

Allahumma inni unshudaka dam al mazloom

Then repeat the following thrice as well:

Allahumma inni unsheduka bayuaayeka ala nafseka leaadayeka letuhlaknahum beaidiana wa aidial momineena allahumma inni ansheduka beyuaieka ala nafseka leauliyaeka letuzfera behim beaduweka wa aduwwehim antusalle ala Mohammedin wa alal mustahfezeena min aale Mohammedin

Then he should recite the following thrice: 

Allahumma inni asalukal yusra baadal usre

 

Then he should keep his right cheek at the place of prostration and repeat thrice the following:

Ya kahufi heena tuainil mazahiba wa tuzeeqa alalarze bema rahubato wa ya berabbia khalqi rahmata bee wa kunto min qalqi ghaniyan salle ala Mohammedin wa alal mustahfezeena min aale Mohammedin

Then the left cheek is kept at the place of prostration and the following words recited thrice:

Ya muzillo kullo jabbarin ya muizzo kulle zaleelin qad izzateka balagh bee majuhoori.

In one narration it is said that the Prophet of Allah (a.s.) used to recite the following while doing the prostration of thanksgiving:

Aauzubeka min naarin harreha la yutfa wa aaoozubeka min naarin jadeeduha la yubla wa aauzubeka min naarin utusanuha la yuruwayee wa aaoozubeka min naarin masukubaha la yuksa

It is narrated that Imam Ali (as) used to o recite the following supplication while doing the Sajda e Shukr:

Irhamo zulli baina yadaika wa tazurrai ilaika wa wahshati minan naase wa unsa beka ya kareem