Assalamo alaykum,
Like usual I was looking up material on something else and came across a couple of links on prostration that I thought I should share.
I should also clarify that I found it interesting and definitely learned something from it. My prayers are far from perfect and this is foremost a reminder for me. Therefore, the objective is not to offend other people, but to share something that is of benefit, insha’Allah.
Praise be to Allaah.
When a worshipper prostrates, he must prostrate on all seven parts of the body on which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to prostrate. They are: the face, including the forehead and nose; the two hands; the two knees; and the edges of the two feet (i.e., the toes).
Al-Nawawi said: If he omits any of them, then his prayer is not valid. From Sharh Muslim.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
It is not permissible for a worshipper to lift up any of these seven parts of the body when prostrating, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: on the forehead,” and he pointed to his nose, “and on the two hands, the two knees and the edges of the two feet (i.e., the toes).” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 812; Muslim, 490. If he lifts up one or both of his feet, or one or both of his hands, or his forehead or nose, or both of them, then his prostration is invalid and does not count, and if his prostration is invalid then his prayer is also invalid.
Liqaa’aat al-Baab al-Maftooh by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 2/99.
Ref: If a person does not prostrate on all seven parts of the body, then his prayer is invalid
Re: About Prostration
Here’s something else that I found interesting and worth sharing:
Prostrating in a cap or turban, or when wearing gloves
Praise be to Allaah.
The scholars are agreed that it is better for a worshipper’s forehead and hands to touch the ground directly when he prostrates, except when he has an excuse.
They differed as to whether that is obligatory. Imam al-Shaafa’i was of the view that it is obligatory, but the majority of scholars are of the view that it is mustahabb only, and is not obligatory.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, explaining the views of the scholars on this issue:
The views of the scholars with regard to prostrating on one’s sleeve, hem, hand, the end of one’s turban or anything else that is attached to the person. We have mentioned that our view is that it is not correct to prostrate on any of these things. This is also the view of Dawood and of Ahmad, according to one report.
…
The prayer of that worshipper is valid, but he should not use his turban as a protection between him and the ground except in cases of need, such as when the ground is very hard, or there are stones that may hurt him, or thorns. In that case there is nothing wrong with protecting himself from the ground with something that is attached to him, such as his turban or clothing, because Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We used to pray with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when it was very hot, and if one of us could not put his forehead on the ground, he would spread out his garment and prostrate on it. This indicates that it is better to let the forehead touch the place of prostration directly, but there is nothing wrong with a man protecting himself from the ground with something that is attached to him such as his garment or turban, if there is a need for that because the ground is very hot or very cold, or it is rough. But he should remember that it is also essential to allow the nose to touch the ground as well in this case, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: the forehead” – and he pointed to his nose –“ the hands, the knees and the ends of the feet.” End quote.
Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 13/question no. 519
And Allaah knows best.
Ref: Prostrating in a cap or turban, or when wearing gloves