Is It a Sin to Bend Unintentionally in Front of Someone? Am I “Prostrating” to Him?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaikum,

1. Is it a sin to stare at inanimate things like mountains, trees or cars?

2. Is it a sin to bend unintentionally in front of someone? Am I “prostrating” to him?

3. I keep getting bad images in my mind when I think of Allah. What should I do?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

(1) There is no harm in looking at such inanimate objects, particularly when the intention is to reflect and marvel at the Creating of Allah.

(2) No, ignore it. This is far from being prostration.

(3) Ask Allah Most High for forgiveness, seek refuge in Him from the devil, and ask Him to free you from such misgivings.

And consider taking the following free class at SeekersHub: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Basic Hanafi Jurisprudence (STEP) and: Excellence in Faith & Action (from Ghazali’s 40 Foundations of Religion)

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,
Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani