Sajda has plenty of medical advantages

Sajda has plenty of medical advantages

Sajda is a unique position or stance in the regular
prayers, which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least five times
a day. Although the basic purpose of obligatory prayers is not to
provide an exercise for people yet it is being increasingly recognized
that it has plenty of medical advantages for the human body. Here
it is worth mentioning that Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon
him) has mentioned in a hadith in Ibn Maja 'That prayer is a cure
for many diseases'.

The position of Sajda in which the forehead touches
the ground is exclusively associated with the Muslim form of prayer.
It is the climax of a Muslim's prayer and as mentioned in a Hadith
a Muslim is nearest to Allah in this position. The messenger of
Allah (pbuh) said: "The nearest a servant comes to his Lord
is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication' (in this
state)" In a Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik (R) Holy Prophet
(pbuh) advised Muslims to perform Rukuu (bowing) and Sajda properly.
In another Hadith he (pbuh) advised to perform Sajda and Bowing
calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease. Hence
the first positive effect upon a person who prostrates or does Sajda
is that he comes nearest to Allah and hence in that condition he
can supplicate.

psychological advantage

This is a great psychological advantage and it
gives relief to the person concerned as life is full of worries
and

in this position he gets at least a transient refuge from the agonizing
problems. When a person goes to the position of prostration, Sajda,
his whole body is in active motion. This position can be considered
as a mini dive as the musalli (one who offers prayer) goes to rest
his forehead on the ground while his hands are placed at the sides.
This brings most of the body muscles if not all in active motion
and serves to give them some exercise. The hands are then specifically
stretched

out and thence the forearm as well as arm muscles are supposed to
bear the weight in the Sajda position. It gives good exercise to
the muscles of the upper limb. The Prophet (pbuh) in a hadith advised
not to put the forearms flatly on the ground but to keep them elevated
above ground and this is better for the forearm and arm muscles.

Sajda is a unique position as this is the only
position in which brain (or head) becomes lower than the heart and
hence for the first time the blood gushes towards the brain with
full force whereas in all other positions (even when lying) brain
is

above the heart when it has to work against gravity to send blood
to the brain. In the position of Sajda due to the increased blood
supply the brain receive more nourishment and it has good effect
upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration, psyche and all other
cognitive abilities.

People who offer their prayers regularly have more will power and
can cope with the difficulties of life in a much better manner.
They have less incidence of headaches, psychological problems and
other defects of cognitive function. In the unique position of Sajda
the neck muscles get best exercise. They have to bear the load when
the forehead lies at the ground hence the neck muscles become stronger.
One can note the tense pressure at the neck muscles in the position
of Sajda specially the active motion of the neck and the facial
muscles when the head is being lifted. (e.g. one inch above the
ground) and it will be noticed that they are in a very active motion.

More strong cervical muscles mean the cervical
vertebra will be better protected. Strength of cervical muscles
is important as the head rests upon cervical vertebra supported
by cervical musculature. In fact head performs rotator movements
over the cervical vertebra. In any accident cervical neck examination
is especially important to the physicians because of its extraordinary
importance. It is uncommon that a person who offers his prayers
regularly will get the usual neck myalgias or cervical spondylosis
as the neck muscles particularly become very strong due to the 34
sajdas offered daily in five prayers.

The unique position of Sajda also has positive effects upon the
back muscles as while going into Sajda and getting up from it the
back muscle contract actively and they become stronger. Probably
it is because of this reason that a person who is regular in prayers
will (rarely) get backache.

Finally it must be reminded that (even though)
prayer is not meant to be an exercise, there are a lot of medical
advantages associated with it. Still the best blessing is the peace
of mind, which a person derives by the accomplishment of his duty
to Allah by fulfilling an obligation.

Dr. Muhammad Karim Beebani,

Saudi Gazette