Prostration in gratitude is one form of worship in Islam that is done as an expression of gratitude to Allah SWT for all the blessings He has given to His servants. Prostration of gratitude can be done after finishing the prayer or whenever we feel grateful to Allah SWT. The following is the correct way to do sujud thanksgiving:
1. Clean yourself with ablution
Before performing prostration, make sure that you are clean by performing ablution first. Wudu is a valid condition of worship including prostration. By performing ablution, we are also a form of gratitude for the blessings that Allah SWT has given us.
2. Sit up straight
Before doing prostration, sit upright on your heels. When prostrating in gratitude, this upright sitting position will help you maintain concentration and humility when praying to Allah SWT.
3. Raise Your Hands to the Sky
When performing gratitude prostration, raise both hands to the sky as a sign of gratitude to Allah SWT. This shows that we believe that all the blessings we receive come from the Almighty. By raising our hands to the sky, we also show our humility and obedience to Him.
4. Say a sentence of gratitude
After raising your hands to the sky, say words of gratitude to Allah SWT. For example, “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to Allah), “Subhanallah” (Glory be to Allah), or other expressions of gratitude that suit your feelings of gratitude at that time. Say these sentences sincerely from the bottom of your heart.
5. Prostration with reverence
After saying the words of gratitude, bow down with reverence to Allah SWT. Humble yourself as far as you can as a form of acknowledgment that Allah SWT is Great and worthy for us to bow down to Him. Feel the silence and peace when you are in the prostration.
6. Pray for Happiness and Safety
When you are in gratitude, take advantage of this opportunity to pray to Allah SWT. Pray for happiness, safety and blessings for yourself, your family, friends, Muslims and all mankind throughout the world. Prayer in prostration of gratitude is a very efficacious prayer because it is done in the lowest state before Allah SWT.
7. Be grateful in both difficulties and pleasure
Remember that prostration of gratitude is not only done in a state of joy and happiness, but also in difficulties and trials. When experiencing difficulties, don't forget to remain grateful to Allah SWT for the tests He has given. Because by being grateful, we will be able to go through these trials with more steadfastness and patience.
8. Give Charity as a Form of Gratitude
One of the forms of gratitude that we can do is to give charity to others. Sharing sustenance with others is a way to show our gratitude to Allah SWT who has given us sustenance. Give alms as much as possible, be it in the form of property, knowledge, energy, or smile to others.
By following the steps above, you will be able to perform prostration in a true and sincere way. Remember that every time we bow down, it is our form of respect and obedience to the Creator. Hopefully by performing prostration, we will always be in a state full of gratitude and obedience to Allah SWT.
