Sujūd (prostration), which comes from every being that performs prostration, is to witness its origin from which it is absent when it is in the state of being a branch (farʿ). When one leaves their original essence (aṣliyya) and becomes occupied with their derivative aspect (farʿiyya), it is said to them: "Seek that which is absent from you! That is the origin from which you have issued." The body has prostrated to the earth, which is its origin. The spirit (rūḥ) has prostrated to the Universal Spirit (al-Rūḥ al-Kullī) from which it has issued. The secret (sirr) has prostrated to its Lord, by whom it has attained its station (martaba). All origins are absent. Do you not see, when the origins are absent in the ḥāl (spiritual state), the things that appear in the trees (the fruits that grow later, though their origins are unseen)? (Futūḥāt, TI, 100)
When we became heedless of supplicating to our Lord
other forms of heedlessness descended upon us
the horizon of nearness grew dim
our limits came to mind
our tears fell
My Lord had commanded prostration for our error
and Satan burned
with a lowness kneaded with longing
Sujūd is the qalb’s (the heart’s) submission to the rulings of its Lord. (Jāmiʿ, 54)