How hard or soft should the place to prostrate on be? Is it permissible to prostrate on sponge?
Submitted by on Thu, 26/05/2022 - 14:54
Dear Brother / Sister,
To prostrate on cotton, snow and similar soft things:
When a person prostrates on similar things like the ones above, prostration is permissible if the forehead does not sink into those things and remains on them by feeling some hardness. Otherwise, it is not permissible.
It is necessary for the place to prostrate to be harder than the nose of the person who prostrates. Otherwise, it is not permissible. It is permissible to prostrate on sacks that contain wheat, barley, rice and corn. (Fatawa al-Hindiyya.) (Celal Yıldırım, Kaynaklarıyla İslam Fıkhı, Uysal Kitabevi: 1/243.)
The place to put the forehead on in prostration must not be very soft. If it is slightly soft and if the forehead feels the hardness of the ground/floor, this prostration is permissible but if the forehead does not feel the hardness of the ground on the things like wool, cotton, straw and snow though the face sinks completely, this prostration is not permissible. The basic condition for the face is not to sink and for the forehead to feel the hardness of the ground. (Şamil İslam Ansiklopedisi)
Questions on Islam
- Is It true that arms and elbows must not touch the ground in prostration?
- Is it permissible to perform prayers by wearing sunglasses?
- The Principles of Prayer
- Is there a hadith stating that the hands should be put on the ground/floor before the knees?
- Does lifting the foot from the ground while in prostration invalidate prayer? Is it necessary to keep the big toe of the right foot on the ground during prostration only or throughout the prayer?
- Did Hz. Aisha raise her voice at the Prophet?
- What should we do if there are some obstacles in the place of sajdah (prostration) while performing a prayer? What proportion of the forehead must touch the ground?
- What is Taharah (Cleanliness)?
- How should the position of prostration be? Is it necessary to bend the body fully or is it enough to keep a bit clear?
- How can the hardening of the hearts and the movement of the rocks mentioned in verse 74 of the chapter of al-Baqara be explained?
