Persian · phrase · Faith & Sacred History

Sar-ba-sajda

सर-ब-सज्दा

also written: Sar-ba-sijda

Meaning

With head bowed in prostration; prostrate in worship.

Literally: Sar (head) ba (in) sajda (prostration).

How Iqbal uses it

When Iqbal bows sar-ba-sajda a voice rises from the earth warning that a heart enamoured of idols gains nothing from outward prayer, sharpening his lifelong critique of ritual without inner fire.

See it in the verse

Sar-ba-sajda in Iqbal’s couplets

Ye ek sajda jise tu garaan samajhta hai
Hazaar sajdon se deta hai aadmi ko nijaat

This one act of devotion, which you find so heavy to make — it frees a person from a thousand servile bowings.

Freedom · Selfhood

Related words

ARABIC

Sujood

Prostration in worship, especially the repeated prostrations of the ritual prayer.

PERSIAN

Namaaz

The ritual Islamic prayer performed five times daily.

PERSIAN

Niyaz

Humble supplication, devoted neediness, the lover's lowly entreaty before the beloved.

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