Angel’s prostration before Adam was an Honor bestowed upon Him

Before creating Adam, Allah informed the angels that He will create a human being, and when He had finished forming him, He ordered them to prostrate before him. Allah reminds Adam's offspring of this great honor granted to Adam in numerous Qur'anic verses.

Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah (2): 34, “And (remember) when We said to the angels, ‘Proztrate yourselves before Adam.’ And they prostrated…”

This prostration of the angels before Adam was a sign of honor and respect, and out of obedience to the Command of Allah.

Qatadah commented, “The obedience was for Allah and the prostration was before Adam. Allah honored Adam and commanded the angels to prostrate before him.” [Reported by Tabaree (1): 512]

Some people said that this prostration was just a prostration of greeting, peace and honor, hence Allah's statement, “And he (Prophet Yusuf) raised his parents to the throne and they fell down before him prostrate. And he said, ‘O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream afore time! My Lord has made it come true!’”[Surah Yusuf (12): 100]

The practice of prostration was allowed for previous nations but was abolished for us. Mu'adh said to the Prophet, “I visited ash-Sham and found that they used to prostrate before their priests and scholars. You, O Messenger of Allah, are more deserving of prostration.” He said, “No. If I was to command any human to prostrate before another human, I would command the wife to prostrate before her husband because of the enormity of his right on her.” [See, Tafseer Ibn Katheer]