The angel's prostration was a demonstration of their entire submission to the Almighty, first and foremost. It further humbled them in relation to Adam. In this is a lesson concerning the major test man will face in this world, the instinct of self pride that should be tamed by remembering the example of the angels: in spite of being an older creation, higher in rank and make, and closer than any other entity to God, they prostrated before Adam in compliance with the directive of the Almighty.
Adam in a sense was the first ever qibla, just like the Kaaba is now the final qibla to which every Muslim has to prostrate to. Prostration to that building is out of obedience to a divine command, just as prostration to Adam was to be done out of obedience to God
2:143"And it was only to distinguish between those that follow the messenger and those who turn about on their heels that We have appointed the qibla which you observed".
Neither Adam nor the Kaaba are divine because they were or are prostrated to.
This verse also allows prostration from one created entity to another, if it is purely out of reverence. Sajda carries the meanings of putting one's forehead on the ground as well as metaphorically submitting, obeying and hence its use in the Quran for both animate and inanimate entities to denote their obedience to the divine will 2:58,22:18,55:6 an obedience we cannot always understand 17:44. The prophet Yusuf's entire family fell in prostration before him, without being rebuked 12:100. The HB is replete with instances of humans bowing down to other humans as a sign of humility, not worship. However, the sajda of worship is for the Creator only 13:14-5,41:37. The prophet explained this reality on several occasions to his followers. Some companions once interpreted a camel's bowing in front of the prophet as a sajda of worship. They asked the prophet's permission to do the same which he refused
"Worship/aabudu your Lord and honour your brother. If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I should order a woman to prostrate herself before her husband".
The prophet here does not declare the act of prostration between humans in general as forbidden, because the Quran allows it. He forbade it to himself specifically because he wanted to prevent an inclination among his followers to over exalt him. That is why he began explaining that reverence between humans must be divested from any tinge of worship. Worship is only due to God. And if, as a sign of reverence, prostration were done it would not be to himself but by a wife to her husband. The prophet redirects the idea of prostration to other than him as he saw that even honouring him in such a way carried a risk for his followers. Despite several precedents among the prophets, let alone kings, notables or religious leaders within his own lifetime, as well as the willingness of his own followers, the prophet Muhammad, instead of seizing upon this opportunity offered to him to increase in eminence, chooses humility for the interest of his people.
Further reading answering Sam Shamoun "Sujood – The Act of Worship Which Allah Shares With His Creatures"
1- Sam Shamoun "NOTES FOR TAUHID DEBATE WITH YAHYA PT. 2" (the blind man)
2- Sam Shamoun "Revisiting the Worship and Prayers of Allah" (necromancy)
3- Islam Critiqued picks a book from Muhammad's library; The cave of treasures inspired Adam's story?
5-Acts17apologetics deny Biblical scholarship; Quran confirms past scriptures?
6-Acts17apologetics find an obscure expression; musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi?
7-Acts17apologetics hit rock bottom; the state of Biblical writings?
8-Acts17apologetics take a brief look at sura ma'ida; confirmation of the corrupt Bible?
9-Acts17apologetics find a balanced view; absolute Biblical corruption?
6-Acts17apologetics find an obscure expression; musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi?
7-Acts17apologetics hit rock bottom; the state of Biblical writings?
8-Acts17apologetics take a brief look at sura ma'ida; confirmation of the corrupt Bible?
9-Acts17apologetics find a balanced view; absolute Biblical corruption?
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