When is sajdah at-tilawah (prostration of recitation) made when a sajdah verse is read (recited) in the Quran?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Since a sajdah verse is included in the chapter of Sajdah, it becomes necessary to prostrate when the chapter of Sajdah is read or recited. However, if the verses of the chapter of Sajdah except the sajdah verse is read, prostration of recitation is not necessary.

Prostration of recitation becomes wajib when a prostration verse is read in a prayer because it has become a part of the prayer and it cannot be performed as qada outside the prayer.  

When a verse of prostration is read standing while performing a prayer, and if more than three verses are not read, sajdah at-tilawah will have been performed when ruku’ or sajdahs of that rak’ah are performed. It does not matter whether an intention is made for sajdah at-tilawah or not. However, if more than three verses are to be read, it is necessary to perform ruku' or sajdah immediately after this verse. However, it is more virtuous to perform sajdah. In that case, the ruku and sajdahs of the prayer will not replace it.

A person who reads a verse of prostration while performing a prayer can perform sajdah at-tilawah immediately if he wishes without taking the number of verses to be read into consideration by saying "Allahu Akbar". It is also enough for him to perform ruku' with the intention of sajdah at-tilawah. After that, he stands up and reads a few more verses. Then, he performs the ruku' and sajdahs of the prayer and continues his prayer. If he has finished a chapter, he reads a few verses from the next chapter because it is makruh to perform the ruku' and sajdahs of the prayer without reading a few verses after sajdah at-tilawah.

Sajdah at-tilawah is not regarded to have been performed only by ruku' outside prayer. For, showing respect to Allah is not fulfilled with ruku' outside prayer.

When a prayer is performed in congregation, the imam should not intend to perform ruku' instead of sajdah at-tilawah because the congregation might not understand it and will not have such an intention. In that case, their sajdah at-tilawah will not have been performed. They will have to perform sajdah at-tilawah after the imam salutes and sit for tashahhud again, which is very difficult for most people to do.   

If a verse of prostration is repeated in a prayer, only one sajdah at-tilawah is necessary according to the sound view. It does not matter whether it is repeated in the same rak'ah or other rak'ahs because the assembly is the same. This is the view of Imam Abu Yusuf. According to Imam Muhammad, if it is repeated in different rak'ahs, sajdah at-tilawah is also repeated because the assembly is regarded to have changed.

If the imam reads a verse of prostration and prostrates but if the congregation thinks the imam has performed ruku' and sajdah and performs ruku' and sajdah, their prayer is not invalidated but if they perform one more prostration, their prayer is invalidated.

It is makruh for the imam to read a verse of prostration in Friday and eid prayers and in prayers where the Quran is read silently because he might cause the congregation to be confused. However, if the verse of prostration is at the end of the chapter or at the end of the qira'ah, it is not makruh. What the imam needs to do in that case is not to intend to perform sajdah at-tilawah with the ruku' of that prayer.

If a person reads a verse of prostration while he is in ruku', sajdah or sitting of a prayer or if he follows the imam but reads a verse of prostration behind him, sajdah at-tilawah does not become wajib for him, or the imam or the other congregation following the imam because those who perform prayers are prohibited from reading the Quran in the states mentioned above. Their reading is invalid. However, if those who are outside this congregation hear a verse of prostration like this, it becomes wajib for them to perform sajdah at-tilawah.

It is mustahab to read a verse of prostration aloud if the people who are present are ready for sajdah at-tilawah and to read silently if they are not ready. This includes compassion for the congregation.

It is makruh to read a chapter and to leave the verse of prostration in it. However, it is not makruh to read only the verse of prostration in a chapter and not to read the other verses. However, it is mustahab to read at least one more verse along with the verse of prostration to eliminate the delusion of virtue and preference. When a verse of prostration is read, if it is not possible to prostrate immediately, it is mustahab for the reader and listeners to say, "Sami'na wa ata'na ghufranaka Rabbana wa ilayka'l-masir."

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