The Qur'anic invocation: "In the name of Allah" Postrating To Other Than God Postration The Qur'anic invocation: "In the name of Allah" Q: What is the wisdoms in repeating "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful" in the begining of each chapter of the Qur'an? A: Just as every chapter has a particular objective, the invocation "In the name..." has its own particular purpose in relationship with each chapter; thus in order for each chapter to fulfill its intended goal this invocation must be repeated. book :Tafsir Al-Mizan Vol. 1 (A Commentary on Qur'an) Author :Tba'tabai, Muhammad Husayn Footnote : Footnotes: ------------------------------------------------------------ Postrating To Other Than God Q: Is postrating to other than God forbiden? A: Postration is accepted when it is preformed to display the best form of worship (for God). What is fordiden is worshiping other than God, whether it is done by postrating (to other than God) or by some other form of worship. Those who consider (the an gles) postration to Adam (AS) as forbiden, have assumed that postration - itself - is worship. Such an assumption is incorrect, because if it was so (correct), then at no point would postration be other than worship; while it is possible that postration is preformed as mockery. According to this, worship is particular to God, while postration in and of itself is not particular to God. If postrating to other than God is forbiden, then it is due to rational and/or legal deducction, which states that it is forbiden to give the status of Lordship to other than God (by means of postration). In conclusion, postration is preformed out of respect for someone; thus it can be preformed for someone (Adam (AS)) who is the representative and sincere servant of God. book :Tafsir Al-Mizan Vol. 1 pg. 122 Author :Tba'tabai, Muhammad Husayn Footnote : Footnotes: ------------------------------------------------------------ Postration Q: Is postrating to other than God forbiden? A: Postration is accepted when it is preformed to display the best form of worship (for God). What is fordiden is worshiping other than God, whether it is done by postrating (to other than God) or by some other form of worship. Those who consider (the an gles) postration to Adam (AS) as forbiden, have assumed that postration - itself - is worship. Such an assumption is incorrect, because if it was so (correct), then at no point would postration be other than worship; while it is possible that postration is preformed as mockery. According to this, worship is particular to God, while postration in and of itself is not particular to God. If postrating to other than God is forbiden, then it is due to rational and/or legal deducction, which states that it is forbiden to give the status of Lordship to other than God (by means of postration). In conclusion, postration is preformed out of respect for someone; thus it can be preformed for someone (Adam (AS)) who is the representative and sincere servant of God. book :Tafsir Al-Mizan Vol. 1 pg. 122 Author :Tba'tabai, Muhammad Husayn Footnote : Footnotes: ------------------------------------------------------------