What Does Ruku Mean in Arabic?
الرُّكُوع
rukūʿ
Root: ر ك ع
Ruku is the bowing position in Islamic prayer — bending at the waist with hands on the knees in a posture of reverence before Allah. One of the essential pillars of salat, the worshipper recites "Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great" while bowing. The Quran commands believers to bow and prostrate in worship (22:77).
The root of Ruku (rukūʿ) appears 13 times in the Quran, reflecting its foundational importance in Islamic theology and practice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ruku
What does Ruku mean in Islam?
Ruku is the bowing position in Islamic prayer — bending at the waist with hands on the knees in a posture of reverence before Allah. One of the essential pillars of salat, the worshipper recites "Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great" while bowing. The Quran commands believers to bow and prostrate in worship (22:77).
How many times is Ruku mentioned in the Quran?
The root of the word Ruku appears 13 times in the Quran, underscoring its central importance in Islamic theology and practice.
What is the Arabic root of Ruku?
The Arabic root letters of Ruku are ر ك ع.
Related Words
صَلَاة
Salah (Prayer)
Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam — the ritual prayer performed five times daily at fixed times. It consists of specific bodily postures, recitations from the Quran, and glorifications of Allah. Mentioned 99 times in the Quran, salah is described as the direct connection between the believer and Allah.
قِبْلَة
Qibla
Qibla is the direction Muslims face when performing prayer — toward the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Facing the qibla is an obligatory condition for the validity of prayer. The qibla was changed from Jerusalem to Mecca approximately 16-17 months after the Prophet's migration to Medina, as revealed in Quran 2:144.
دُعَاء
Dua (Supplication)
Dua is the act of supplication — calling upon Allah with humility, seeking His help, mercy, and blessings. Mentioned 211 times in the Quran and described as "the essence of worship", dua can be made at any time. Allah promises to respond to sincere supplications: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (Quran 40:60)
صَوْم
Sawm (Fasting)
Sawm (fasting) is the third pillar of Islam — abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. It is a spiritual practice aimed at developing taqwa (God-consciousness), empathy for the poor, and self-discipline. The Quran explicitly commands fasting in Surah Al-Baqarah.
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
La ilaha illallah
"La ilaha illallah" — "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah" — is the first part of the Islamic declaration of faith (Shahada). It is the most important phrase in Islam, representing the absolute monotheism at the core of the faith. The Prophet described it as the best form of remembrance and the key to Paradise.
شَهَادَة
Shahada (Declaration of Faith)
The Shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger." It is the first pillar of Islam. Reciting the Shahada sincerely is the entry point into Islam and the foundation upon which all other acts of worship rest.