Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)

77. “O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves and worship your Lord, and do good; that you may be prosperous.”

The ritual acts of ‘bowing’ and ‘prostration’ are among the examples of worship, yet in this holy verse these two acts are mentioned beside the Qur’anic word /wa‘budu/ (worship) which indicates both the importance of prayer and these two elements of prayer.

By the way, divine salvation or prosperity is the last stage of perfection of which we must be hopeful when we have fulfilled our duties of worships and benefactions.

This holy verse, addressing the believers, states some general and inclusive instructions which protect their religion, worldly affairs, and succession in all circumstances, and by this beauty of conclusion Surah Al-Hajj ends.

At first, the verse points to four important instructions by saying:

“O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves and worship your Lord, and do good; that you may be prosperous.”

Stating the bowing and prostration, two elements from among all elements of prayer, is for the sake of their extraordinary importance in this great worship. The instruction of absolute servitude, which has been stated after these two elements, encompasses every worship and devotion.

The application of the word /rabbakum/ (your Lord) is, in fact, an indication to His eligibility for being worshipped and the lack of eligibility of other than Him, because He is the only Owner, Master and Lord.

The instruction of ‘doing good’ envelops any good deed without any condition and reservation. It has been narrated from Ibn-Abbas who said its objective is ‘union of kindred’ and ‘nobility of character’.¹

Tafsir-ul-Burhan narrated from Hadrat Musabn-i-Ja‘far, the seventh Imam, who said that the purpose of the Qur’anic phrase /waf‘al-ul-xayr/ (and do good) is the act of obedience from Imam Amir-ul-Mu’mineen Ali (as) next to the Prophet (S), and it is, indeed, the statement of a lively aspect from this general concept.