Does differentiating between the prostration of greeting and that of worship—according to intention—apply exclusively to prostration to humans, as opposed to inanimate objects, or does it also include inanimate objects?

The jurists unanimously agreed that prostrating to an idol, or to the sun, or to other similar creatures, is an act of disbelief (kufr) that expels one from the fold of Islam, if the prostrator is of sound mind, adult, acting willingly, and doing so intentionally or even in jest. This is because such prostration has not been legislated in any divine law. As for prostrating to a living being, if it is intended as an act of worship, then it is disbelief. However, if it is intended as a greeting, then it is a major sin, but the perpetrator does not become a disbeliever. This is because prostration as a form of greeting was permissible in previous nations, such as the prostration of the angels to Adam and the prostration of Joseph's brothers to him, which gives it a semblance of doubt that averts the charge of disbelief.