Why Did God ask the Angels to 'Prostrate' to Man When Prostration is for God?

[Reader Questions]

Salamun Alaikum.

Allah does not like and forbids to His creatures not to associate anything with Him. If anybody does it, Allah by any means does not pardon. I humbly question to you, that a verse repeatedly mentioned in the glorious Qur'an " and behold, We said to the angels: 'Bow down to Adam' : and they bowed down: Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith. " (002: 034). Please note: prostration is forbidden to anybody but Allah. So, how can we take into consideration of this verse when we know that prostrating or associating anything with Allah is forbidden ?

[Joseph Islam]

Wa alaikum assalam,

The meaning of 'sujud' varies in Arabic according to context and doesn't always mean a physical human prostration. In the context of Iblis or the angels this does not mean a 'physical' prostrations like human's perform to God.

SJD means to become submissive, humble, to make obeisance, lowly, to pay respect, or to even bend down (bowing) and prostrate. This root word forms other words such as 'Masjid' which is a place where 'SJD' takes place.

For example, it would be inappropriate in light of the Quran's context to understand Prophet Joseph's (pbuh) family, including his father (also a prophet), to have prostrated physically to the ground to Prophet Joseph (12:100). Similarly, in Prophet Joseph's dream where he saw a vision of the stars / planets, sun and the moon prostrate to him (12:4), one would least be expected to understand this to be a physical prostration.

There are numerous other examples from the Quran.

In the context of prayer and God, it means a physical prostration by means of bending oneself towards the ground in complete subservience. However, when the word is used in relation to entities other than God, different shades of meaning are admitted.

I hope my article below helps, God willing.

WHAT IS THE QURANIC SUJUD (PROSTRATION)?
http://www.facebook.com/l/zAQHzSHGRAQEyRDvG8f8c9Ri7jag4niaPY_5fameWfxc3yw/quransmessage.com/articles/sujud%2520FM3.htm

Regards,
Joseph.