Prayer callus

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A prayer callus, prayer bump, zabiba or zebiba (Arabic: زبيبة, romanized: zabība, lit. 'raisin') is a callus on the forehead caused by repeated ritual prostration, usually in Islamic prayer. Owing to its cultural signal of piety, it is also known as the "devout sign". Islam requires its adherents to pray five times a day (known as salat), which involves kneeling on a prayer mat and touching the ground (or a raised piece of clay called turbah by the Shia) with one's forehead. When done firmly for extended periods of time, a callus – the "prayer bump" – can develop on the forehead which may be considered as a sign of piety and dedication. Some Muslims believe that it is referred to in the Quran as: Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer...

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