Why did the words "those who bow," "those who prostrate," "those who pray," and "those who bow and prostrate" appear separately in the Quran, if they all only mean prayer? And are bowing (rukūʿ) and prostration (sujūd) not limited to prayer, having another meaning that transcends the conventional understanding, especially since prostration (sujūd) was mentioned in the Quran for the sun, moon, mountains, stars, and creatures?

Prayer is referred to in the Quran and Sunnah by some of its parts. It is called "Quran" because it includes recitation, and it is called "ruku' (bowing) and sujud (prostration)." Those who perform it are referred to as "rak'in (bowing ones) and sajidin (prostrating ones)," because prayer is sometimes mentioned by its full term and sometimes by some of its pillars. The act of worship through mere bowing and prostration is not legislated except within prayer, or for a specific reason such as the prostration of recitation or gratitude. The prostration of creatures to Allah is, for each, according to its nature.