ٱرْكَعُوا۟

3:44; 41:38; 96:20.

Important Words:

ارکعوا (bow down) is derived from رکع which means, he bowed down, his condition became lowered or abased. رکعت النخلةmeans, the palm-tree inclined. رکع الی اللّٰه means he completely turned towards God and leaned upon Him, he humbled himself to Him, and found peace of mind in Him. The word راکع as used by the Arabs meant, one who worshipped God alone to the exclusion of all sorts of idols and images (Asas). The famous pre-Islamic poet Nabighah says:

سیبلغ عذراً اونجاحاً من امرئ

الی ربه رب البریة راکع

i.e. he who turns to God alone, the Creator of the world, will have a sound argument in his favour and will obtain salvation ( Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

The verse points to the following four means which it is very essential to adopt for attaining spiritual eminence and success and prosperity in life: (a) To possess firm, sincere and unadulterated faith in God. This is the meaning of the word آمنوا. (b) To have full and complete reliance and dependence on God and to renounce all unfair and doubtful means for the attainment of one’s object. This is the significance of ارکعوا. (c) To give unquestioning obedience to God’s commandments and unqualified submission to His will, and to develop in oneself Divine attributes so as to become God’s own manifestation. This is the import and purport of the expression واسجدوا واعبدوا (d) To do righteous deeds and serve mankind (وافعلواالخیر). Thus this brief verse covers the entire extent and scope of the ways and means that lead to material and moral progress.

Important Words:

لا یرکعون (do not bow down). رکع means, he bowed down. The word is sometimes used to denote humility and self-abasement. رکع الی الله means, he humbled himself to God; he completely turned towards God and worshipped Him alone. The famous pre-Islamic poet Nabighah says:

سیبلغ عذرا أو نجا من امرء

الی ربه رب البریة راکع

i.e. he who worships God alone, the Creator of the world, will have a good plea and will get salvation.