Fatwa ID: 06983

Answered by: Maulana Abdul Malik

Question:  

Is it necessary for the nose to touch the ground during Sajdah or is it okay just the forehead to touch the ground ?

I’ve got neck and back problems, and I’ve noticed that when I touch my nose on the ground during Sajdah it puts my neck and trap muscles in a tight position and triggers my neck pain

I know it’s only a small distance but it’s enough to trigger the pain

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The proper way to prostrate oneself during salaah is to place one’s nose and forehead on the floor. But it’s acceptable to limit oneself to prostrating on the forehead only when there’s a good reason for doing so.(Hashiyat Tahtaawi ala Maraqi al Falah, pg 230)[1]

In light of the above, it will be permissible to prostrate on the forehead only to deter the extreme pain in your neck.

[1] قوله: (لا الأنف وحده) أي بغير عذر، وأما به فيجوز و هذه رواية عن الإمام و بها أخذ الصاحبان وأما الإقتصار على الجبهة فيصح مطلقا بالإتفاق

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Maulana Abdul Malik.

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham