There are two types of prostration (سجده):
* Prostration of Worship (سجده عبادت)
* Prostration of Reverence (سجده تحیت)
1. Prostration of Worship is strictly for the Allah عزوجل because this prostration is for worship only & worship is for Allah عزوجل only.
This prostration can never be performed for any other than Allah عزوجل.
No Sheriah ever (from Adam علیه سلام to Muhammad صل الله علیه وسلم) allowed such prostration (i.e. to one except Allah عزوجل.)
2. Prostration of Reverence is performed for acceptance of venerability (تعظیم) of the worshiper.
e.g. Angels prostrated to Adam علیه سلام on the order of Allah عزوجل. This prostration was not of worship but for the reverence of the angels.
This prostration is old. Such prostration was permissible in preceding Sheriahs (of Muhammad صل الله علئه وسلم) but was forbidden in the Sheriah of Muhammad صل الله علیه وسلم.
When Hazrat Sulaiman علیه سلام expressed his desire to prostrate to Muhammad صل الله علیه وسلم, he was denied to do so by Muhammad صل الله علیه وسلن saying that creation of Allah عزوجل should not prostrate to any other but Allah عزوجل only.(Madarik)
Hence prostrating to any grave, saint, political leader etc. though not performed with the intentions of Worship, is forbidden.
We should bow before our Creator only and thus should be well aware of the importance of prostration in Islam
Any mistake on my part may please be forgiven.
JAZAAK ALLAH!
