Sajdat at-Tilaawah (Prostration of Recitation)

Proper Practice for Muslims Reading the Verses

• When reading the verses or listening to a recitation: It is recommended to prostrate (make sujood) one time after reading one of these verses. 

• When praying at the recitation of such a verse: The worshipper should say “Allahu Akbar” and go directly from standing to prostrating, without bowing in between. After one sujood, the worshipper says, “Allahu Akbar,” stands up and continues the prayer. If praying behind an imam, you should only make sujood al-tilaawah if the imam does so.

• When listening to or reading the Quran outside of prayer:  One should say “Allahu Akbar” and simply kneel down on the floor and make sujood when reaching one of these verses. 

For Which Verses Should We Make Sajdah at-Tilaawah?

There are fifteen places in the Qur’aan where we should perform sajdat al-tilaawah (prostration of recitation) when reciting them. 

1 – “Surely those who are with your Lord (angels) are never too proud to perform acts of worship to Him, but they glorify His Praise and prostrate before Him.”

[al-A’raaf 7:206]

2 – “And unto Allaah (Alone) falls in prostration whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and in the afternoons.”

[al-Ra’d 13:15]

3 – “And to Allaah prostrate all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, of the live moving creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e., they worship their Lord (Allaah) with humility].”

[al-Nahl 16:49]

4 – “Say (O Muhammad): ‘Believe in it (the Qur’an) or do not believe (in it). Verily! Those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces in humble prostration.”

[al-Isra’ 17:107]

5 – “… When the Verses of the Most Beneficent (Allaah) were recited unto them, they fell down prostrating and weeping.”

[Maryam 19:58]

6 – “See you not that to Allaah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is one the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and al-dawaab (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and many of mankind? But there are many (men) on whom the punishment is justified. And whomsoever Allaah disgraces, none can honour him. Verily! Allaah does what He wills.”

[al-Hajj 22:18]

7 – “O you who believe! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful.”

[al-Hajj 22:77]

8 – “And when it is said to them: ‘Prostrate to the Most Beneficent (Allaah)!’ They say, ‘And what is the Most Beneficent? Shall we fall down in prostration to that which you (O Muhammad) command us?’ And it increases in them only aversion.”

[al-Furqaan 25:60]

9 – “[As Shaytaan has barred them from Allaah’s Way] so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allaah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal.”

[al-Naml 27:25]

10 – “Only those believe in Our aayaat (verses, signs, etc.) who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate, and glorify the Praises of their Lord, and they are not proud.”

[al-Sajdah 32:15]

11 – “… And Dawood guessed that We had tried him and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate and turned (to Allaah) in repentance.”

[Saad 38:24]

12 – “And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Him Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.”

[Fussilat 41:37]

13 – “So fall down in prostration to Allaah, and worship Him (Alone).”

[al-Najm 53:62]

14 – “And when the Qur’aan is recited to them, they fall not prostrate.”

[al-Inshiqaaq 84:21]

15 – “… Fall prostrate and draw near to Allaah!”

[al-‘Alaq 96:19]

Please visit our website: holyquranlessons.com