How Prostration in Prayer Wipes Away Sins

📖Sunan Ibn Mājah 1424
Ubadah ibn al-Samit reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: No servant prostrates for the sake of Allah but that Allah will record for him one good deed, erase one bad deed, and raise his status by a degree. Thus, perform many prostrations.”

This hadith emphasizes the immense spiritual benefits of prostration (sujood) in Islam. Each act of prostration sincerely done for Allah:

1. Earns a good deed – Every prostration is counted as a new act of worship, multiplying one’s spiritual record.
2. Erases a bad deed – Minor sins, mistakes, and everyday slip-ups are forgiven. This does not mean major sins (like murder, theft, or adultery) are automatically wiped away, as they require specific repentance and atonement.
3. Raises status – Prostration elevates a believer in rank in the eyes of Allah, increasing closeness and reward in this world and the Hereafter.

What kind of sins are erased:
The hadith refers to minor mistakes and lapses, such as:

• Forgetting prayers or acts of worship
• Hurting someone unintentionally
• Saying something inappropriate out of anger or haste
• Small lies or negligence in duties
  Major sins require sincere repentance, seeking forgiveness, and making amends where possible.

What we learn today:

1. Prostration is a powerful and easy way to increase rewards and cleanse minor sins.
2. Performing extra sujood voluntarily strengthens faith and spiritual connection.
3. Regular prostration reminds us of humility before Allah, helping to reduce pride and arrogance.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 22:77
O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good — that you may succeed.

📖Quran 32:15
Only those who believe in Our verses and humble themselves before them prostrate.

📖Quran 11:114
Good deeds erase bad deeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.

Note: Repeated minor sins can turn into major sins if done persistently without regret.

 What About Major Sins?

Major sins include: murder, adultery, rape, theft, interest, and oppression.

• If someone commits such crimes, they must repent sincerely and face the prescribed worldly punishment if proven.
• Allah can forgive any sin if repentance is sincere before death:

Qur’an 39:53
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

• Forgiveness from Allah does not remove the requirement for justice in this world.

Qur’an 5:45
“And We prescribed for them in it: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds [equal] retribution. But if anyone remits it by charity, it is expiation for him.

Context

• This law was prescribed to the Children of Israel and similarly in Islam for justice.
• Who applies it? The victim or the victim’s family has the right to demand retribution (Qisas).
• Optional forgiveness: If the victim or family chooses to forgive, it is considered an act of charity and reward, and the perpetrator is not punished in the worldly sense.
• Purpose: This ensures justice and fairness, prevents personal vengeance, and allows mercy to be exercised consciously.

Qur’an 2:178
“O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered—the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if any remission is made by the brother [i.e., the victim’s family], then grant any reasonable demand and compensate them with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy.

Qur’an 5:38-39
“As for the thief, the male and female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. But whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms, indeed Allah will turn to him in forgiveness.”

• These verses show that worldly punishments must be applied to maintain justice, while Allah’s forgiveness remains open for sincere repentance. Related article: Punishment for Theft in Islam

Qur’anic Context

Surah Hud 11:114
Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.”

Surah An-Nisa 4:31
If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance.”

Surah Az-Zumar 39:53
Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’”

These verses show that minor sins are easily forgiven through acts of worship, including prayer.

Lesson for Today

• Focus on praying sincerely and mindfully, even for small daily sins.
• Avoid thinking forgiveness is automatic for repeated negligence – intention and awareness matter.
• Minor sins can be erased easily, motivating believers to maintain consistency in prayer and dhikr.

Forgiveness for Past Crimes of New Muslims

When a person reverts to Islam, their previous actions – committed before embracing Islam – are generally forgiven by Allah, provided they sincerely repent and embrace the faith.

1. Acts Committed Under Ignorance or Falsehood

• Non-Muslims follow laws, customs, and social norms outside the guidance of Allah.
• Actions done under these systems – whether theft, deception, or other minor crimes – are considered sins of ignorance or error, not deliberate rebellion against Allah.

2. Fear of Allah and Repentance

• Upon accepting Islam, the new Muslim acknowledges Allah’s authority, repents, and intends to follow His guidance.
• This sincere fear of Allah and obedience allows Allah to forgive past sins.

3, Accountability of Those Who Misled Them

• People who misled or deceived them into committing crimes are responsible for influencing them to follow falsehood.
• Allah holds these deceivers accountable for leading others astray.

This hadith shows that prostration is not just an act of obedience, but also a spiritual purifier. It turns minor mistakes into opportunities for forgiveness, increases our rewards, and raises our status before Allah. By performing many prostrations, a believer strengthens both their connection with Allah and their moral discipline.