Q: I read the Muslims aren't allowed to bow for anyone except for Allah. I am a violinst and I am inside of an orchestra and we usually bow for the audience afterwards...what do I do?
A: Hi. Bowing is not the same as prostrating. When you prostrate, you place your forehead on a floor or mat and that is only done for Allah. When you bow, you slightly bend while standing up, and that is just a social gesture--- it by no means represent prostration or "sajdah" as Muslims call it. So don't worry, it's not against Islam if you bow. And for those who answered this question incorrectly, I encourage you to understand the difference between prostration and bowing, they're two different things.