22/06/2026
Why do Muslim players do that every time they score a goal?
This specific act is known in Arabic as Sujud al-Shukr (the prostration of gratitude).
In this World Cup, you will observe that when Muslim players score a goal, some immediately run toward the corner flag to prostrate on the grass. Others join their teammates in celebration first, and once the hugs and cheers fade, they quietly drop to their knees to prostrate.
This celebration is not a modern innovation; it originates directly from the practice of Prophet Muhammad.
Authentic historical records show that whenever the Prophet received joyful news or experienced a sudden victory, he would immediately fall into prostration to express his deepest gratitude to Allah.
Today, this is an act that all Muslims are encouraged to practice in their daily lives whenever they receive good news or achieve a hard-fought success.
As a practicing Muslim, you perform exactly 34 prostrations every single day across the five mandatory daily prayers. That number increases if you choose to perform voluntary prayers.
However, there is a big difference between the daily prayers and the prostration of gratitude:
With the 5 daily prayers, you must perform ablution and you must face the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, which is generally east from our part of the world).
For the Sujud al-Shukr, because good news happens spontaneously, this prostration is done just once and is highly flexible. It can be performed immediately without ablution, and you do not necessarily have to face the Qiblahโwhich is very practical since one immediately spot the East after becoming happy..
Despite these differences, what is recited while the forehead touches the ground remains the same.
One humbles himself by reciting:"Subhana Rabbiyal A'la"(Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
This act has become incredibly popular among Muslim footballers.
In recent history, the player who has done it most frequently is Mohamed Salah, not just when playing for Egypt, but regularly at the club level for Liverpool, which has helped popularize it globally.
Islam is a complete way of life.
May Allah give us the understanding to practice it well.
Aameen.
