Prostration of Recitation: Rulings & Issues

Prostration of Recitation (Sajdah Tilawat): Rulings and Issues

In Islam, prostration holds great significance and occupies a special place in worship. The reason for this is that in this position, the servant expresses utmost humility to the Lord. This is the moment in worship when a servant becomes closest to Allah, engages in whispered communication with Him, and makes abundant supplications.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ، وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ، فَأَكْثِرُوا الدُّعَاءَ (صحيح مسلم:482)
Translation: Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The servant is closest to his Lord when he is in prostration, so make abundant supplication.”

Allah greatly loves this act, and He commands people to prostrate.
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ (الحجر:98)
Translation: “Glorify the praise of your Lord and be among those who prostrate.”

Allah commanded Iblis to prostrate to Adam (AS), but due to his refusal, he became accursed. Therefore, we must sincerely prostrate to Allah alone and never, under any circumstances, prostrate to anyone other than Allah.

Number of Prostrations in the Qur’an: Fourteen or Fifteen?

In this context, prostration refers not to the two prostrations in prayer, but to the act of prostrating upon the recitation of specific verses in the Qur’an. This is known as prostration of recitation (Sajdah Tilawat). Whether this prostration occurs during prayer or outside of it, the same rule applies.

Both the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools agree on fourteen prostrations, although Shafi’is consider two prostrations in Surah Al-Hajj, while Imam Abu Hanifa regards it as only one.

The Ahl al-Hadith, however, accept fifteen prostrations, based on the narration in Abu Dawood.
عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَقْرَأَهُ خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ سَجْدَةً فِي الْقُرْآنِ، مِنْهَا ثَلَاثٌ فِي الْمُفَصَّلِ، وَفِي سُورَةِ الْحَجِّ سَجْدَتَانِ (سنن ابی داؤد: 1401)
Translation: Amr ibn al-As (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) taught him fifteen prostrations in the Qur’an, of which three are in the “Mufassal” (shorter chapters) and two are in Surah Al-Hajj.

This narration is considered hasan (good) by Imam Nawawi in his Al-Khulasah, by Ibn al-Mulaqqin in Tuhfat al-Mukhtaj, by Ibn Qayyim in I’lam al-Muwaqqi’in, and by the author of Tuhfat al-Ahwazi.

The famous Hanafi scholar, Alama Badr al-Din Aini, also referenced this narration in his commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Umdat al-Qari, and declared it correct.
عن عمرِو بنِ العاصِ أنَّ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ أقرأَهُ خمسَ عشرةَ سجدةً في القرآنِ العظيمِ مِنْهَا ثلاثةٌ في المُفَصَّلِ (عمدة القاري:7/139)
Translation: Amr ibn al-As (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) taught him fifteen prostrations in the Qur’an, of which three are in the “Mufassal” chapters.

Thus, a Hanafi scholar provides evidence for the fifteen prostrations, and the presence of two prostrations in Surah Al-Hajj is confirmed by authentic Hadith.

عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ حَدَّثَهُ، قَالَ: قُلتُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَفِي سُورَةِ الْحَجِّ سَجْدَتَانِ؟ قَالَ: “نَعَمْ، وَمَن لَّمْ يَسْجُدْهُمَا فَلَا يَقْرَأُهُمَا”
Translation: ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir (RA) narrated: “I asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW), ‘Does Surah Al-Hajj have two prostrations?’ He (SAW) replied, ‘Yes, and anyone who does not prostrate in them should not recite them.'”
This Hadith has been classified as hasan (good) by Shaykh al-Albani. (Sahih Abu Dawood: 1402)

Ibn Abi Shaiba reported in his Musannaf that Abu Ishaq al-Sabi’i mentioned: “I have seen people performing two prostrations in Surah Al-Hajj for the past seventy years.” (Musannaf: Book of Prayer, Two Prostrations in Hajj)
Translation: “I have observed the people for seventy years doing only two prostrations in Surah Al-Hajj.”

This statement is also found in the Hanafi text Ujuz al-Masalik ila Muwatta Malik, with no objection.

Fifteen Places and Verses of Prostration of Recitation (Sajdah Tilawat):

1. إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ وَلَهُ يَسْجُدُونَ (الأعراف/206)
   Translation: Indeed, those who are near your Lord do not disdain His worship; they glorify Him and prostrate to Him.
   
2. وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلالُهُمْ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ (الرعد:15)
   Translation: To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. All prostrate to Him willingly and unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.
   
3. وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ (النحل:49)
   Translation: Indeed, whatever is in the heavens and on the earth, including creatures and angels, prostrate to Allah, and they are not arrogant.
   
4. قُلْ آمِنُوا بِهِ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ إِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا (الإسراء:107)
   Translation: Say, “Believe in it or do not believe.” Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them, fall upon their faces in prostration.
   
5. إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا (مريم:58)
   Translation: When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell prostrate in tears.
   
6. أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ وَالنُّجُومُ وَالْجِبَالُ وَالشَّجَرُ وَالدَّوَابُّ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ النَّاسِ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْعَذَابُ وَمَن يُهِنِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ (الحج:18)
   Translation: Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and on the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the animals, and many people? And many have been decreed to be punished. And whoever Allah humiliates, none can honor him. Indeed, Allah does what He wills.
   
7. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَفْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (الحج:77)
   Translation: O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good, that you may succeed.
   
8. وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اسْجُدُوا لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ قَالُوا وَمَا الرَّحْمَٰنُ أَنَسْجُدُ لِمَا تَأْمُرُنَا وَزَادَهُمْ نُفُورًا (الفرقان:60)
   Translation: And when it is said to them, “Prostrate to the Most Merciful,” they say, “And what is the Most Merciful? Should we prostrate to whatever you command us?” And it increases them in aversion.
   
9. أَلَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ (النمل:25)
   Translation: Do they not prostrate to Allah who produces the hidden things in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you declare?
   
10. إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ (السجدة:15)
    Translation: None believe in Our signs except those who, when they are reminded of them, fall prostrate and glorify [Allah] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant.
    
11. وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ (ص:24)
    Translation: And David thought he had been tested, so he asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down bowing, and turned in repentance.
    

12- ومن آياته الليل والنهار والشمس والقمر لا تسجدوا للشمس ولا للقمر واسجدوا لله الذي خلقهن إن كنتم إياه تعبدون(فصلت:37) .
Translation: And among His signs are the night, the day, the sun, and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah, who created them if it is Him that you worship.

13- فاسجدوا لله واعبدوا(النجم:63) .
Translation: So prostrate to Allah and worship Him.

14- وإذا قرء عليهم القرآن لا يسجدون(الانشقاق:21 ) .
Translation: And when the Qur’an is recited to them, they do not prostrate.

15- كلا لا تطعه واسجد واقترب(العلق:19 ) .
Translation: No! Do not obey him. And prostrate and draw near [to Allah].

(Fiqh al-Sunnah)
It is recommended to prostrate when reciting these verses, whether during prayer or outside of it. The Prophet ﷺ would prostrate when passing over verses of prostration.
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ:أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ، فَيَقْرَأُ سُورَةً فِيهَا سَجْدَةٌ، فَيَسْجُدُ وَنَسْجُدُ مَعَهُ، حَتَّى مَا يَجِدُ بَعْضُنَا مَوْضِعًا لِمَكَانِ جَبْهَتِهِ(صحيح مسلم:575)
Translation: It was narrated from Ibn Umar that the Prophet ﷺ would recite the Qur’an, and when he recited a surah with a prostration verse, he would prostrate, and we would prostrate with him, until some of us would not find a place to place our foreheads.

The ruling of prostration of recitation (Sajdah Tilawat):

When passing over the verses of prostration, it is Sunnah to prostrate, not obligatory. The proof for this is:
It is narrated from Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):
قرأَ يومَ الجمعةِ على المنبرِ بسورةِ النحلِ ، حتى إذا جاءَ السجدة نزل فسَجَدَ ، وسَجَدَ الناسُ ، حتى إذا كانت الجمعةُ القابلةُ ، قرأَ بها ، حتى إذا جاءَ السجدةُ ، قال : يا أيُّها الناسُ ، إنا نَمُرُّ بالسجودِ ، فمَن سَجَدَ فقد أصابَ ، ومَن لم يَسْجُدْ فلا إثمَ عليه . ولم يَسْجُدْ عمرُ رضي اللهُ عنه . وزادَ نافعٌ ، عن ابنِ عمرَ رضي الله عنهما : إن اللهَ لم يَفْرِضْ السجودَ إلا أن نشاءَ .(صحيح البخاري:1077)
Translation: It was narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab that on a Friday, he recited Surah An-Nahl from the pulpit. When he reached the verse of prostration, he descended and prostrated, and the people prostrated with him. When the next Friday came, he recited the same surah. When he reached the verse of prostration, he said: “O people, we are passing through a prostration verse. Whoever prostrates has done the right thing, and there is no sin on those who do not prostrate.” However, Umar did not prostrate. Nafi’ narrated from Ibn Umar that Umar said: “Allah has not made prostration obligatory except if we wish.”

It is also narrated in Sahihayn from Zayd ibn Thabit, who said:
قرأتُ على النبيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم : والنجم . فلم يَسْجُدْ فيها(صحيح البخاري:1073، صحيح مسلم:577)
Translation: I recited Surah An-Najm to the Prophet ﷺ, and he did not prostrate in it.

Just because it is a Sunnah does not mean it should be neglected. One should consistently prostrate unless there is a valid reason to refrain from it.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا قرأ ابنُ آدمَ السجدةَ فسجد ، اعتزل الشيطانُ يبكي . يقول : يا وَيْلَهْ ( وفي رواية أبي كريب يا وَيْلي ) . أُمِرَ ابنُ آدمَ بالسجود فسجد فله الجنَّةُ . وأُمِرتُ بالسجود فأَبَيْتُ فلي النارُ . وفي رواية : فعَصَيتُ فلي النَّارُ(صحيح مسلم:81)
Translation: When a child of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, the devil moves away and cries. He says: “Woe to me!” (In another narration, “Woe to me!”) “A son of Adam was ordered to prostrate, so he prostrated, and for him is Paradise. I was ordered to prostrate, but I refused, so for me is the Fire.”

The Prophet ﷺ said:
عليك بكثرةِ السجودِ للهِ, فإنك لا تسجدُ للهِ سجدةً إلا رفعَك اللهُ بها درجةً وحطَّ عنك بها خطيئةً(صحيح مسلم:488)
Translation: “Make abundant prostrations to Allah, for you do not prostrate to Allah but that Allah raises your rank by it and removes a sin from you.”

Method of Performing Sajdah Tilawat:

Sajdah Tilawat should be performed on seven body parts just like the regular prayer, but it does not require the conditions of prayer. For Sajdah Tilawat, purity is not a condition, though it is better to be in a state of Wudu, and if possible, it is preferable to face the Qibla. However, even if one is not facing the Qibla, the prostration will still be valid. The way to perform the prostration is to say “Allahu Akbar” while going into prostration and then recite the prostration supplications, such as “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” and “Subhanak Allahumma Rabbana wa bihamdik, Allahumma ighfir li.” The prostration supplication is sufficient, but one may also make other supplications from the Sunnah. After making the supplication in prostration, one should raise the head without saying Takbir. Only one prostration should be made. For this prostration, it is not necessary for one to have Wudu, nor is it required to say Takbir while standing up from the prostration or after the prostration, nor is it necessary to say Salaam after the prostration.

Supplications for Recitation:

First Supplication:
عن عائشةَ رضيَ اللَّهُ عنْها قالَت : كانَ رسولُ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ عليْهِ وسلَّمَ يقولُ في سجودِ القرآنِ باللَّيلِ يقولُ في السَّجدةِ مرارًا سجدَ وجْهي للَّذي خلقَهُ وشقَّ سمعَهُ وبصرَهُ بحولِهِ وقوَّتِهِ(صحيح أبي داود:1414)
Translation: Aisha (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ would recite this supplication repeatedly during the prostration of the Qur’an at night: “My face has prostrated to the One who created it, and with His power and strength, made its hearing and sight.”

This supplication is found in Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Dārqutni, Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Musnad Ahmad, and Muṣannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah. These narrations do not include the words “Fatabarak Allahu Ahsan al-Khaliqīn,” but in al-Mustadrak al-Ḥākim, this narration is found in three places, and one of them includes the extra words. Al-Ḥākim declared it authentic according to the conditions of al-Bukhārī and Muslim. The additional words are also found in Sahih Muslim and are part of Surah al-Mu’minun, verse 14.

Second Supplication:
A person heard someone praying in a dream while prostrating behind a tree, and the tree said:
اللهم اكتُبْ لِي بها عندَك أَجْرًا، وضَعْ عني بها وِزْرًا، واجعلْها لي عندك ذُخْرًا، وتَقَبَّلْها مِنِّي كما تَقَبَّلْتَها من عبدِكَ دَاوُدَ(صحيح الترمذي:579)
Translation: O Allah, write for me reward for it with You, remove my burden with it, make it a treasure for me with You, and accept it from me as You accepted it from Your servant Dawood.

In Tirmidhi’s narration, it is further mentioned: Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Ubayd Allah ibn Abi Yazid said: “I heard from Ibn Jureij that my grandfather told me that Ibn Abbas (RA) said: The Prophet ﷺ recited a verse of prostration and prostrated. Ibn Abbas said: I heard him say the same words that the tree spoke in the dream.”

Third General Supplication:
In Sahih Muslim and other sources, it is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ would say when prostrating:
اللهمَّ ! لك سجدتُ . وبك آمنتُ . ولك أسلمتُ . سجد وجهي للذي خلقَه وصوَّره ، وشقَّ سمعَه وبصرَه . تبارك اللهُ أحسنُ الخالقِين(صحیح مسلم:771)
Translation: O Allah, I have prostrated before You, and in You I have believed, and to You I submit. My face has prostrated to the One who created it, formed it, and made its hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.

This supplication is recorded in al-Dārqutni and Sahih Ibn Ḥibbān, and it is also found in the context of night voluntary prayers. Since in Sajdah Tilawat, one can recite any of the prostration-related supplications, including other supplications from the Sunnah, there is no harm in reciting this one during Sajdah Tilawat.

Additional Rulings on Sajdah Tilawat:

• When performing Sajdah Tilawat in prayer, the Imam will say Takbir while going into prostration, and the followers must prostate with him. Then, after the prostration, they will rise with Takbir. However, after Sajdah Tilawat outside of prayer, there is no Takbir when rising.
  
• It is better for the Imam to avoid performing Sajdah Tilawat in a congregational prayer with a loud recitation, as it may cause confusion among the worshippers. However, for an individual performing it, there is no issue.
  
• The listener who hears the recitation of the prostration verse is also recommended to perform Sajdah Tilawat. Just as the Prophet ﷺ would prostrate when reciting a verse of prostration, the companions with him would do the same.
  
• If one hears the prostration verse while driving, on a bus, or while traveling, it is permissible to prostrate, but it is not obligatory. The proof of this is discussed earlier.
  
• If one cannot perform Sajdah while riding an animal, in a car, or on an airplane, one may slightly bow and make the supplication, which is sufficient.
  
• If there is no raised surface to place the Qur’an, it can be placed on the floor. Alternatively, if there is something available, such as a shelf, table, or podium, it can be placed there, or one can hold it in hand while prostrating.
  
• According to scholars, a menstruating woman may recite the Qur’an, and there is no harm in her performing Sajdah Tilawat. Shaykh Ibn Baz (RA) stated that there is no issue for menstruating or postnatal women to perform Sajdah Tilawat.
  
• Women do not need to cover their heads during Sajdah, although it is better to do so. Some scholars have said that covering the head is required, but there is no clear evidence for this.
  
• If the reciter or the one memorizing the Qur’an recites the prostration verse repeatedly, performing Sajdah once is sufficient, and there is no sin in skipping it, as it is not obligatory.
  
• Just like other Sunnah prayers that can be performed during disliked times, Sajdah Tilawat can also be performed during such times, whether the sun is setting or rising.
  
• If there is a delay in prostrating after reciting the verse, there is no harm. However, if a significant amount of time passes after reciting the verse without performing Sajdah, there is no need to perform it anymore.
  
• In the margin of Surah al-Hajj in the Qur’an, the phrase “Al-Sajda ‘inda al-Shafi’i” (i.e., according to Imam Shafi’i, this is the place for Sajdah Tilawat) is written. This reflects the difference in jurisprudential opinions, as Imam Shafi’i considers this a place for prostration, while Imam Abu Hanifa does not. However, after the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, no further clarification is needed. Thus, we should rely on the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.
  

Some Common Incorrect Practices Regarding Sajdah Tilawat:

1. Some people stand up for prostration, make the intention verbally, and say Takbir when rising from prostration. There is no evidence for these actions, so they should not be done. The proper method of performing Sajdah Tilawat has been explained above, and it should be followed accordingly.
   
2. Some people have the practice of performing all the prostrations after completing the entire Qur’an, especially those leading Taraweeh prayers at the end of Ramadan, where they recite all the verses of prostration together and then perform the prostration together. This is a newly invented practice in the religion. Similarly, some people perform the prostration only after completing the recitation of the entire Qur’an, which is also incorrect.
   
3. It is not permissible to skip the prostration verse while reciting and continue with the rest of the recitation, as some Hafiz (those who memorize the Qur’an) do. Even if one does not perform the prostration, the verse of prostration should not be skipped.
   
4. Some people, instead of performing the prostration, recite certain supplications such as “Sami’na wa Ata’na, Ghufranak Rabbana wa ilayka al-masir,” or “SubhanAllah wal-hamdu-lillah wa la ilaha illa Allah wa Allahu Akbar,” or “La ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir” four times. This is also a newly invented practice in the religion. The supplications of remembrance cannot replace the prostration, and none of the early generations (Salaf) did this. In short, there is no supplication that can substitute Sajdah Tilawat.
   
5. Some people do not perform Sajdah Tilawat during the times when the sun is setting or rising. These people are mistaken in this matter. The correct practice is that one can perform the prostration during these times.
   
6. The Hanafi school mentions that in a classroom, as many students as recite the prostration verse, the teacher has to perform the prostration the same number of times. This is an unreasonable burden. Firstly, Sajdah Tilawat is not obligatory, and secondly, in such a situation, performing the prostration once is sufficient.
   
7. In Qur’an recitations, a person performs the prostration on behalf of another person. It is important to know that the practice of reciting the Qur’an on behalf of someone else is against the Shari’ah, and it is also contrary to the Sunnah for someone to perform Sajdah Tilawat on behalf of another person.

By Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Dawah Center, Northern Ta’if (Masrah)