Legitimacy of Prostration of Recitation

Prostration of recitation is a single prostration that a Muslim performs when they read the Quran or listen to it and come across a verse that requires prostration, whether during prayer or outside of it. Here are some of its rulings:

Ruling on Prostration of Recitation:

It is a Sunnah (recommended act) whether during prayer or outside of it. The following points should be observed:

1. Takbeer (saying “Allahu Akbar”):
   • If the prostration verse comes during prayer, one should say “Allahu Akbar” when prostrating and when rising from prostration.
   • Outside of prayer, one should prostrate without standing up, saying “Allahu Akbar,” or reciting the Tashahhud (testimony of faith) or the Tasleem (final salutation).
2. Purity:
   • Purity is not required for the prostration of recitation, but it is recommended. Therefore, it is permissible for someone in a state of minor impurity, menstruation, or postnatal bleeding to perform the prostration if they come across a prostration verse or hear one.
3. Following the Imam:
   • If the imam prostrates during a prayer of recitation, the followers must follow him, whether it is a loud or silent prayer.

Number of Prostrations of Recitation:

There are fifteen places in the Quran where prostration is recommended. Evidence for this is found in the hadith narrated by Amr ibn al-Aas, رضيَ اللهُ عنهُ:

“(أنَّ النبيَّ أقرأَه خمسَ عشرةَ سجدةً في القرآنِ منها ثلاثٌ في المُفَصَّلِ وفي سورةِ الحجِّ سجدتانِ)”

Some scholars have differences in opinion regarding the exact number and locations. For example, Imam Shafi’i excluded the prostration in Surah Saad, considering it a prostration of gratitude, while Imam Malik viewed the prostrations in the “Mufassal” (short surahs) as abrogated. Here is the consensus among scholars:

1. Agreed Upon Prostrations:
   • Scholars agree on the location of ten prostrations in the following surahs: Al-A’raf, Ar-Ra’d, the first in Al-Hajj, Maryam, Al-Isra, Al-Furqan, As-Sajda, An-Naml, An-Nahl, and Fussilat.
2. Disputed Prostrations:
   • The second prostration in Surah Al-Hajj:
   “(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ)”Some consider it a place for prostration, including Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars, and others, including Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Uthaymeen.
   • The prostration in Surah Saad:
   “(وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ)”It is considered a place for prostration by Hanafi and Maliki scholars, among others.
   • The prostrations in the “Mufassal” surahs: An-Najm, Inshiqaq, and Al-Alaq are also considered by most scholars as places for prostration.

Summary of Scholars’ Views:

1. The first opinion: Fifteen prostrations, including Surah Saad.
2. The second opinion: Fourteen prostrations, excluding Surah Saad.
3. The third opinion: Eleven prostrations, excluding those in the “Mufassal” surahs and Surah Saad.

Locations of Prostrations in the Quran:

The fifteen prostrations are distributed as follows:

1. Al-A’raf.
2. Ar-Ra’d.
3. Two in Al-Hajj.
4. Maryam.
5. Al-Isra.
6. Al-Furqan.
7. As-Sajda.
8. Saad.
9. An-Najm.
10. Inshiqaq.
11. Al-Alaq.
12. An-Naml.
13. An-Nahl.
14. Fussilat.

Types of Prostration Verses:

There are two types:

1. General Praise:
   • Verses where Allah mentions the prostration of His creation, and it is recommended to emulate them.
2. Direct Command:
   • Verses commanding prostration to Allah, and one should promptly obey.

How to Perform Prostration of Recitation:

When encountering a prostration verse, one should say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate like in prayer, saying:

“سبحان ربي الأعلى” “سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك، اللهم اغفر لي”

Also, recite the famous supplication:

“اللهم لك سجدت، وبك آمنت، ولك أسلمت، سجد وجهي لله الذي خلقه، وصوره، وشق سمعه وبصره، بحوله وقوته” “اللهم اكتب لي بها أجراً، وضع عني بها وزراً، واجعلها لي عندك ذخراً وتقبلها مني كما تقبلتها من عبدك داود”

“O Allah, to You I have prostrated, in You I have believed, and to You I have submitted. My face has prostrated to Allah, who created it, shaped it, and gave it hearing and sight by His power and might. O Allah, record it as a reward for me, remove a sin from me because of it, make it a treasure for me with You, and accept it from me as You accepted it from Your servant, Dawud (David).”

Rise without saying “Allahu Akbar” if not in prayer, and without the final salutation.

Virtue of Prostration of Recitation:

The virtue is highlighted in the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

“(إذا قَرَأَ ابنُ آدَمَ السَّجْدَةَ فَسَجَدَ اعْتَزَلَ الشَّيْطانُ يَبْكِي، يقولُ: يا ويْلَهُ، وفي رِوايَةِ أبِي كُرَيْبٍ: يا ويْلِي، أُمِرَ ابنُ آدَمَ بالسُّجُودِ فَسَجَدَ فَلَهُ الجَنَّةُ، وأُمِرْتُ بالسُّجُودِ فأبَيْتُ فَلِيَ النَّارُ. وفي رواية: فَعَصَيْتُ فَلِيَ النَّارُ)”

“When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, Satan withdraws, weeping, and says: ‘Woe to me!’ (In the narration of Abu Kurayb: ‘Woe is me!’). The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he did, so for him is Paradise. But I was commanded to prostrate, and I refused, so for me is the Fire. In another narration: ‘I disobeyed, so for me is the Fire.'”

A Muslim can say in the prostration of recitation what is said in the prostration of prayer, but a specific supplication for prostration of recitation was mentioned by Aisha رضي الله عنها about the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

“(سجدَ وجهي للَّذي خلقَهُ، وشقَّ سمعَهُ وبصرَهُ، بحولِهِ وقوَّتِهِ فتبارَكَ اللَّهُ أحسنُ الخالقينَ)”

“My face has prostrated to the One who created it and granted it hearing and sight by His power and might. So blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.”