Sujood al-Tilawah (Prostration of Recitation)

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that when, the son of Adam recites the Ayat of Sajdah (prostration) and then falls down in prostration, the Satan goes into seclusion and weeps and says: Alas, and in the narration of Abu Kuraib the words are: Woe unto me, the son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated and Paradise was entitled to him and I was commanded to prostrate, but I refused and am doomed to Hell.

Sahih Muslim Book 001, Hadith Number 0144

Sujood al-Tilawah is prostration when reading certain verses of the Qur'an.  There are fifteen verses in the Qur'an that praise those who "prostrate to Allah". The locations of these verses are marked in the Arabic text of the Quran with a symbol in the shape of a mihrab. 

1. Al-A'raf,7:206
2. Ar-Ra'd,13:15
3. An-Nahl,16:50
4. Al'Isra',17:109
5. Maryam,19:58
6. Al-Hajj,22:18
7. Al-Hajj,22:77*
8. Al-Furqan,25:60
9. An-Naml,27:26
10. As-Sajdah,32:15
11. Sad,38:24
12. Fussilat,41:38
13. An-Najm,53:62
14. Al-Inshiqaq,84:21
15. Al-A'laq,96:19

*In all, 14 places of prostration are agreed upon by all Muslim religious scholars while Imam Shafie' suggest prostration at this point as well.

During Recitation:

If a person is reading the Quran, or listening to its recitation, he or she should prostrate (make sujood) one time after reading one of these verses. While this is recommended, it is not an obligation to do so and it is not a sin to omit this practice. Think Sunnah!

During Salah

If a person is 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.

How Is It Done

Prophet SAW said "When you have recited a verse requiring sajdah tilawat, you should go down for sajdah with Allahu-Akbar and rise from sajdah with Allahu-Akbar, which may be performed sitting, though it is preferable to prostrate oneself from the standing position." (Abu Dawood)

What To Say

What is obligatory is to say “Subhaana Rabbiy al-A’laa (Glory be to my Lord Most High), as is obligatory during the prostration of prayer. Any additional du’aa’ or dhikr is mustahabb.


'Ali reported that when the Prophet prostrated he would say, "O Allah, to You have I prostrated, in You have I believed, and to You have I submitted. I have prostrated my face to the One who created me and formed me in the best of forms. He is the One who gave it hearing and sight. Blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators."

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ سَجَدَ وَجْهِى لِلَّذِى خَلَقَهُ وَصَوَّرَهُ وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

Allahumma laka sajadtu wa bika amantu wa laka aslamtu, sajada wajhi lilladhi khalaqahu wa sawarahu wa shaqa sam‘ahu wa basarahu, tabaraka Allaah ahsan ul-khaaliqin 

Sahih Muslim Book 004, Hadith Number 1695

O Allah! Record for me, a reward with You for it, remove a sin from me by it, and store it away for me with You for it, and accept it from me as You accepted it from Your worshiper Dawud

اللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبْ لِي بِهَا عِنْدَكَ أَجْرًا وَضَعْ عَنِّي بِهَا وِزْرًا وَاجْعَلْهَا لِي عِنْدَكَ ذُخْرًا وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْتَهَا مِنْ عَبْدِكَ دَاوُدَ

Allahumma Aktub Li Biha Indaka Ajran, Wada Anni Biha Wizran, Waj’alha Li Indaka Dhukhran, Wa Taqabbalta Min Abdiki Dawud

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3424
Chapter 33: What Is Said In The Prostration Of Recitation
Book 48, Hadith 55