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those who did not believe before that, nor will they be given another chance.” Our time to fall prostrate is today, right now.
Why does God want us to prostrate before Him? Does He need our worship? We know He does not (3:97, 35:15, 39:7). We prostrate for our own good. The physical benefits of prostration are many. The act of prostrating involves most of our muscles, giving them some exercise. It’s especially beneficial for the neck and back muscles. The head is placed lower than the heart allowing blood to rush toward the brain. This has a good effect on memory, vision, hearing, and concentration. Many yoga positions involve prostration, and it’s believed the act of prostration restores harmony to body and mind.
But much more important are the spiritual benefits of prostration. The most important aspect is that we are acknowledging that there is something far superior to us. We’re willing to subjugate our body, soul and will to the Almighty God. Even when we aren’t physically prostrating (or can’t), we are prostrating when we recognize that we have no power outside of God’s will. Every time we submit to God willingly, even when the situation seems negative (praise God if the light turned red and I have to stop here; praise God that the car in front is going 20 in a 40 MPH zone; praise God even if I spilled water; there’s a good reason for all of this), we submit and kill our ego and work on growing our soul. We acknowledge that everything in fact prostrates before God’s will, and we want to do this willingly. [13:15] To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.
We also recognize the precious gift of scripture. [17:107-9] Proclaim, “Believe in it, or do not believe in it.” Those who possess knowledge from the previous scriptures, when it is recited to them, they fall down to their chins, prostrating. They say, “Glory be to our Lord. This fulfills our Lord's prophecy.” They fall down on their chins, prostrating and weeping. For it augments their reverence.
This is why we prostrate.
We prostrate here so we will be able to fall prostrate when we come before God and He commands it. We accept His gracious invitation now.
[22:77] O you who believe, you shall bow, prostrate, worship your Lord, and work righteousness, that you may succeed.
[53:62] You shall fall prostrate before GOD, and worship.
And the last verse of chapter 32, Prostration, tells us what to do about those in this world who blindly choose to ignore God’s gracious invitation: [32:30] Therefore, disregard them and wait, they too are waiting.
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We know that our eyes are made for seeing, and it’s a wonderful miracle how they receive and interpret the light for our vision. God also provided protection for our eyes so they can do the job they were made to do.
Our eyebrows are not just a random facial feature. Their main job is to protect our eyes. The shape of the brows channels sweat, rain and moisture away from the eyeball so our vision stays clear. When we sweat or walk in the rain, the arch shape of the brows diverts moisture around to the side of our face, keeping our eyes relatively dry. Without eyebrows, getting around in these conditions would be more difficult. The salt from sweat can be very irritating to the eye, making them sting. So the brows perform an important function.
Eyebrows are also one of the most distinctive features that make up our face. Eyebrows may be styled or plain, and many people spend a lot of energy shaping and coloring them. Eyebrows provide a lot of non-verbal communication.
We can raise them in surprise or lower them in a scowl, and without a word, people know what we’re thinking. Praise God for His design.
Covering our eyeball is the eyelid. This flap of skin serves to protect the eye from matter, such as dust, dirt and other debris, as well as bright light that might damage the eye. When we blink, the eyelid also helps spread tears over the surface of the eyeball, keeping it moist and comfortable.At the end of the eyelid are the eyelashes, several fine little hairs. They are regarded as a look of beauty, particularly for women, and much money may be spent to keep them long and distinctive. But their primary function is to protect the eyes from small particles of dust, sand and other debris. Those tiny particles could otherwise enter the eye and harm the eyeball.
The lashes, along with the eyelid, eyebrows and facial structure, also help to shield the eyes from the bright light of the sun. God has now given us sunglasses, but His design of our face helps guard against the sun’s strong rays, filtering the sunlight that shines in our eyes.
What an amazing and complex system. May we use our eyes to see God’s awesome signs.
[24:44] GOD controls the night and day. This should be a lesson for those who possess eyes.
[67:3-4] He created seven universes in layers. You do not see any imperfection in the creation by the Most Gracious. Keep looking; do you see any flaw? Look again and again; your eyes will come back stumped and conquered.
[90:8] Did we not give him two eyes?
[16:78] GOD brought you out of your mothers' bellies knowing nothing, and He gave you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains, that you may be appreciative.