What is the wisdom behind presenting "prostration" (sujud) before "bowing" (ruku') in the verse: (O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow)? And what are the rhetorical touches in mentioning "those who bow" (al-rakieen) instead of "those who bow (female)" (al-rakieat)? And why did the verse specifically mention "bowing" (ruku') to be with "those who bow" and not "those who prostrate" or "those who are devoutly obedient"?

Scholars differed on the precedence of prostration over bowing in the verse {O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in worship]} [Quran 3:43], presenting several views:

1. Prostration preceded bowing in their law. 2. The letter "waw" (and) does not imply sequence. 3. The command to prolong standing and prostration in her individual prayer is due to their honor among the pillars of prayer, while "bow with those who bow" refers to congregational prayer. 4. Prostration is the best of the pillars of prayer and the highest degree of submission, while bowing is of a lower status. Ascending from the lower (bowing) to the higher (prostration) is appropriate in the order of actions.

They also differed on the reason for using "with those who bow" (masculine plural) instead of "with those who bow" (feminine plural), presenting several views:

1. It indicates her praying in congregation, and men are the original leaders in establishing congregations. 2. The word "al-rakieen" (those who bow, masculine plural) is more general, encompassing both men and women when they gather, whereas "al-rakieat" (those who bow, feminine plural) is specific to women only. 3. It is a permission for Mary to pray in congregation, a special privilege for her that indicates her high status.