Supplication is the most important aspect of faith and is a source of communication with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Salah is an act of supplication, but sujood in salah is the epitome of ibadah, signifying that Muslims bow only to Allah. Sujood, also known as prostration, is an act of utmost humbleness while communicating with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The significance of supplicating or making dua while in sujood is beyond the physical act of worship. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, "The closest that a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so make plenty of supplication" (Sahih Muslim 482).
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3422, a hadith reported by Ali Ibn Abi Talib, has been quoted, in which he narrated the correct way of offering salah as done by the holy Prophet (ﷺ). He reported that he saw the Prophet perform the arkan (wajibat) of salah, including sujood. When the Prophet performed sajda, he recited Subhaana Rabbiyal-A'laa 3 times. In another instance reported in Sunan Ibn Majah 888, Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman and Ibn Mas'ud said that reciting the dua while in sujood three times will make it a complete act.
Prayer (IT) Duas (IT)
Subhaana Rabbiyal-A'laa.
Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa bihamdika Allaahum-maghfir lee.
Subboohun, Quddoosun, Rabbul-malaa'ikati warrooh.
Allaahumma laka sajadtu wa bika 'aamantu, wa laka 'aslamtu, sajada wajhiya lillathee khalaqahu, wa sawwarahu, wa shaqqa sam'ahu wa basarahu, tabaarakallaahu 'ahsanul-khaaliqeen.
Subhaana thil-jabarooti, walmalakooti, walkibriyaa'i, wal'adhamati.
Allaahum-maghfir lee thanbee kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa 'awwalahu wa 'aakhirahu wa 'alaaniyata hu wa sirrahu.
Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oothu biridhaaka min sakhatika, wa bimu'aafaatika min 'uqoobatika wa 'a'oothu bika minka, laa 'uhsee thanaa'an 'alayka 'Anta kamaa 'athnayta 'alaa nafsika.
Sujood in salah is incomplete without reciting Subhaana Rabbiyal-A'laa 3 times. The etiquette of making dua while prostrating is that one recites it three times in each sajda with one's head on the ground while prostrating. Ibn Mas'ud reported that he heard the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) say that reciting the dua while in sujood three times is a minimum and doing the bowing in prostration is complete (Sunan Ibn Majah 890).
Sujood is a believer's closest and most private moment with their Lord. During sujood, one can confess and pray without any barriers or hesitation. It is as if one is in direct communication with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Sujood offers a presence of mind and a sense of stability in the body, as by grounding, one can maintain focus. Reciting supplications while prostration offers one a sense of calm and clarity. In its essence, this dua means submitting one's self to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and praising Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for His Greatness.