Have you ever wondered how to perform prostration of recitation correctly? Sujud al-Tilawah (prostration of recitation) is a great act of worship that shows submission to Allah when hearing or reciting a verse of prostration. In this article, we will guide you step by step to understand the wisdom behind it and how to perform it both inside and outside prayer.
What is Sajda Tilawah?
It is a prostration performed by a Muslim upon reciting or hearing one of the 15 verses of prostration in the Holy Qur’an.
It is considered a confirmed Sunnah by the majority of scholars.
It is prescribed for both the one who recites and the one who listens to the verse, whether inside or outside of prayer.
The Wisdom of Prostration of Recitation
The Wisdom of prostration of recitation lies in demonstrating complete servitude to Allah Almighty. Whenever a Muslim recites or hears a verse that calls for prostration, he immediately bows down to Allah in humility.
The evidence for this practice is found in the words of Allah:
“ فَمَا لَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ٢٠وَإِذَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ لَا يَسْجُدُونَ ۩ ٢١”
“So what is the matter with them that they do not believe, and when the Quran is recited to them, they do not bow down ˹in submission˺?”
(Al-Inshiqaq 84:20-21)
Also, in the Hadith:
“عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ “ إِذَا قَرَأَ ابْنُ آدَمَ السَّجْدَةَ فَسَجَدَ اعْتَزَلَ الشَّيْطَانُ يَبْكِي يَقُولُ يَا وَيْلَهُ أُمِرَ ابْنُ آدَمَ بِالسُّجُودِ فَسَجَدَ فَلَهُ الْجَنَّةُ وَأُمِرْتُ بِالسُّجُودِ فَأَبَيْتُ فَلِيَ النَّارُ ”.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When a son of Adam recites a Sajdah* and prostrates, Satan withdraws weeping, saying: ‘Woe is me! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate and he prostrated, and Paradise will be his; I was commanded to prostrate and I refused, so I am doomed to Hell.’”
Sunan Ibn Majah 1052
Who May Perform Sujud Al-Tilawa?
Many people ask:Who May Perform Sujud Al-Tilawa? The answer is that any Muslim, male or female, who recites the Qur’an and comes across a verse of prostration, is allowed to perform it.
If he or she is able, they should prostrate on the ground. If they do not, there is no sin upon them, since it is a Sunnah and not an obligation.
How to Perform Prostration of Recitation?
Prostration of recitation (Sujud Al-Tilawa) is similar to the prostration in prayer. In this section, we will guide you on how to perform prostration of recitation step by step.
- Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar): After reciting a verse of prostration, say “Allahu Akbar.”
- Prostration: Make one prostration on the seven body parts: the forehead and nose, the two hands, the two knees, and the toes of both feet.
- Supplication in prostration: Say “Subhana Rabbiya al-A‘la” three times, then say: “My face prostrates to the One Who created it and gave it hearing and sight by His might and power.”
وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ فِي سُجُودِ الْقُرْآنِ بِاللَّيْلِ: «سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ بِحَوْلِهِ وَقُوَّتِهِ».
It was narrated from ‘A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the Prophet (ﷺ) prostrated at night while reciting the Qur’an, he would say:
“My face prostrates itself to Him who created it and brought forth its hearing and seeing by His might and power.”
(Mishkat al-Masabih 1035)
- After prostrating, one rises without saying takbir or taslim.
How Do You Perform It in Salah?
After answering the question how to perform prostration of recitation?” we now explain how to perform it during prayer.
- If the imam recites a verse of prostration during a loud prayer (such as Maghrib, ‘Isha, Fajr, or Jumu‘ah), he should perform the prostration, and the congregation should prostrate behind him.
- In silent prayers (like Dhuhr, ‘Asr, or the silent units of Maghrib and ‘Isha), it is preferable not to prostrate so as not to confuse the people.
- If one is praying alone, he should perform the prostration of recitation in both silent and loud prayers. He should say takbir when going down and takbir when rising, as all narrations of the Prophet’s prayer confirm that he used to say takbir whenever he went down or rose, and this includes Sujud al-Tilawah.
How Many Suras That Contain Verses of Prostration?
Many people ask: How Many Suras That Contain Verses of Prostration? The answer is that there are 14 Surahs in the Holy Qur’an containing 15 verses of prostration, because Surah Al-Hajj includes two prostrations. The Surahs are:
- Surah Al-A’raf (7:206)
- Surah Al-Ra’d (13:15)
- Surah Al-Nahl (16:50)
- Surah Al-Isra (17:109)
- Surah Maryam (19:58)
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:18)
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:77)
- Surah Al-Furqan (25:60)
- Surah Al-Naml (27:26)
- Surah As-Sajdah (32:15)
- Surah Saad (38:24)
- Surah Fussilat (41:38)
- Surah Al-Najm (53:62)
- Surah Al-Inshiqaq (84:21)
- Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:19)
Do You Require Wudu?
The majority of scholars agree that wudu is not required for Sujud al-Tilawah. The Prophet (ﷺ) would recite Qur’an, come across a verse of prostration, and prostrate, and the people with him would also prostrate without him specifying that only those with wudu should do so.
Do Menstruating Women Need to Make a Sujud Tilawah?
Scholars have differed on this matter:
- The Maliki scholars held that a menstruating woman may perform Sujud al-Tilawah, since it does not require ritual purity and is not considered a full prayer.
- The majority of scholars, however, stated that she should wait until she becomes pure before performing it.
FAQ’s
Q: Do You Need to Do Taslim Afterwards?
A: There is no taslim after the prostration of recitation.
Q: Do You Have to Perform It Immediately?
A: It is recommended to prostrate immediately upon reciting or hearing a verse of prostration. However, if someone does not, there is no sin, as it is a Sunnah and not an obligation.
Q: Can a Woman Perform Sujud al-Tilawah Without Wearing Hijab?
A: Yes. Wearing hijab is not a condition for Sujud al-Tilawah, as it is a form of submission similar to saying tasbih or tahleel. However, if she performs it while covered and pure, it is better.
Conclusion
We have learned that Sujud al-Tilawah is a Sunnah act of worship that expresses submission to Allah Almighty upon reciting or hearing a verse of prostration. We also explored its ruling, occasions, and the correct method of performing it. Now you clearly know how to perform prostration of recitation step by step in a simple and easy way.
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