Sujud al-Tilawah: The Prostration of Recitation

Definition and Status

Sujud al-Tilawah is a prostration performed when reciting or hearing one of the designated prostration verses (ayat al-sajdah) in the Quran. The prostration expresses submission to Allah upon encountering His direct command or a verse describing the prostration of creation. There are fourteen such verses according to the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools, fifteen according to the Maliki school, and the Hanafi school identifies fourteen with slight variations in which verses are included.

Quranic and Hadith Evidence

Allah (SWT) says: "And when the Quran is recited to them, they do not prostrate" (84:21), implying that prostration upon hearing the Quran is a mark of true faith. Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated: "The Prophet (PBUH) would recite the Quran to us, and when he reached a verse of prostration, he would say Allahu Akbar and prostrate, and we would prostrate with him" (Abu Dawud). In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) recited Surah al-Najm in public and prostrated, and every Muslim and polytheist present prostrated with him, overcome by the power of the revelation.

Is It Obligatory or Recommended?

The Hanafi school holds that Sujud al-Tilawah is wajib (obligatory) upon reciting or hearing a prostration verse. The Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools hold it is Sunnah mu'akkadah — a strongly emphasized Sunnah, but not obligatory. The difference has practical implications: for the Hanafi, omitting it intentionally is a sin, while for the other schools it is a loss of virtue. Regardless of the school, all scholars agree that performing it is highly meritorious and that the Prophet (PBUH) consistently did so.

Conditions and Method

According to the majority (Shafi'i, Hanbali, Maliki), Sujud al-Tilawah requires the same conditions as salah: purity (taharah), facing the qiblah, and covering the awrah. The Hanafi school similarly requires these conditions. The method is to say Allahu Akbar, go into a single prostration, recite the prostration supplication, say Allahu Akbar again, and rise. There is no salah greeting (taslim) because Sujud al-Tilawah is not a prayer itself. The minimum supplication in prostration is the general one: "Subhana Rabbiy al-A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).

Specific Supplication

A narration from Aisha (RA) records the Prophet (PBUH) saying in this prostration: "My face has prostrated to the One who created it and formed it, and brought forth its hearing and its sight, by His power and might" (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud). This supplication is recommended to be recited during the prostration. Another version reported by Ali (RA) in Musnad Ahmad adds: "Blessed be Allah, the best of Creators."

Outside of Salah vs. During Salah

Sujud al-Tilawah may occur during salah or outside it. During salah, the imam who recites a prostration verse goes into the prostration, and the congregation follows. This is valid within the prayer and does not break it. Outside of salah, a person reciting or listening to Quran may prostrate immediately upon encountering the verse. There is no need to stand before prostrating or to perform a full prayer. The Hanafi school additionally holds that a listener (even if not reciting) is obligated to perform the prostration if the reciter does so.

The Fourteen Prostration Verses

The verses designated for prostration are: 7:206, 13:15, 16:50, 17:109, 19:58, 22:18, 22:77 (Hanbali and Maliki only), 25:60, 27:26, 32:15, 38:24 (Hanbali), 41:38, 53:62, 84:21, and 96:19. The scholars of each school have detailed explanations for their inclusion or exclusion. The last verse — "Prostrate and draw near" (96:19) — is agreed upon by all schools as a prostration verse, and it was the last of the Quran's prostration verses to be revealed.