One of the questions many Muslims ask when they recite the Quran is: “Do I have to perform sajdah while reading Quran?” If you have come across the small symbol of a prostration sign in your Mushaf and felt unsure about what to do, you are not alone.
Sajdah Tilawah is not just a ritual; it is a moment of humility where you place your forehead on the ground in submission to Allah after reciting certain verses. The Prophet ﷺ himself used to perform this sajdah, teaching us by action that it is a way of drawing closer to Allah.
In this guide, you will learn everything you need: what Sajdah Tilawah is, whether it is compulsory or sunnah according to different schools, how to do sajdah while reading quran step by step, what to say in sujood when reading Quran (in English and Arabic), and the rulings for men, women, and special cases. By the end, you will not only know the rulings but also feel confident in practicing Sajdah Tilawah whenever you encounter it.
What Is Sajdah Tilawah?
Sajdah Tilawah is a single prostration that a Muslim performs after reciting or hearing one of the specific verses of the Quran that contain a sajdah sign. These verses are marked clearly in the Mushaf with a special symbol (usually an arrow or small mihrab-like mark).
The Prophet ﷺ always responded to these verses with sajdah. In one hadith, he said:
“When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and falls in prostration, Satan withdraws, weeping and saying: ‘Woe to me! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated, so Paradise is his. I was commanded to prostrate, but I refused, and Hell is mine.’” (Muslim, Ibn Majah)
This act is not limited to prayer; you can do sajdah while reading Quran in your daily recitation, or even when you hear someone else reciting the verse aloud. It is a practical expression of submission, reminding the believer of humility and closeness to Allah in the middle of recitation.
Is Sajdah Tilawah Compulsory or Sunnah?
When you come across a verse of sajdah, you may wonder: Is it compulsory to do sajdah while reading Quran, or is it just recommended? The answer depends on the school of thought you follow.
Hanafi View
According to the Hanafi school, Sajdah Tilawah is wajib. This means it is necessary and must be made up if missed. They view it as a debt upon the believer until performed, whether inside prayer or outside.
For this reason, many Hanafis make sure never to delay it once they recite or hear a sajdah verse.
Shafi View
In the Shafi school, Sajdah Tilawah is a sunnah. You are rewarded if you perform it, but there is no sin if you do not. This makes it a strongly encouraged act of worship, but not binding.
Other Schools (Maliki and Hanbali)
- Maliki: It is sunnah during voluntary prayers, but disliked in obligatory ones.
- Hanbali: There are two opinions, but the more relied upon is that it is sunnah, not obligatory.
This difference shows that while scholars vary, all agree that Sajdah Tilawah is a noble act that brings a believer closer to Allah.
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How to do Sajdah while reading Quran?
The method of Sajdah Tilawah is simple and does not require a full prayer. Yet, it is slightly different depending on whether you are inside or outside of salah.
Many Muslims also ask practical questions such as how to make sujood when reading Quran or how to do sajdah tilawat for female. Below are the main cases explained clearly:
Outside Salah
When you are reading Qur’an outside of prayer and reach a sajdah verse, here is what you do:
- Face the Qiblah.
- Say Allahu Akbar without raising your hands.
- Go into prostration just like in regular salah.
- Say the dhikr of sujood (Subhaana Rabbiyal A‘la or other supplications).
- Rise back up, saying Allahu Akbar.
There is no tashahhud, no salaam, and no extra rak‘ah. It is simply one sajdah, performed immediately after the verse.
Inside Salah
If you recite a sajdah verse during prayer, you should:
- Say Allahu Akbar and go straight into sujood.
- In sujood, recite Subhaana Rabbiyal A‘la or the other authentic supplications.
- Rise back up, saying Allahu Akbar.
The Hanafi madhab allows completing the surah before making sajdah, while the majority recommend prostrating right after the verse to act upon the Qur’an immediately.
It is also recommended, once you rise from sajdah, to continue reciting some verses, either finishing the surah or starting another surah. This prevents the disliked situation of moving from qiyam to sujood, then rising, and going directly into ruku‘, which may resemble an irregular order of salah. Still, even if this happens, it does not invalidate the prayer.
How to do sajdah tilawat for female?
The rulings are the same for men and women. The only condition for women is to observe the proper dress code, as in prayer. This means covering the body with hijab and loose clothing.
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What to Say in Sajdah Tilawah?
Many readers ask: what to say in sujood when reading Quran? or what to recite in sajdah while reading Quran? The words you say are the same as in regular sujood, but there are also special authentic supplications narrated from the Prophet ﷺ.
Here are some authentic supplications you can use:
- سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
Subhaana Rabbiyal A‘la
(Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
- اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ وَصَوَّرَهُ وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ بِحَوْلِهِ وَقُوَّتِهِ، تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
Allahumma laka sajadtu, wabika aamantu, walaka aslamtu, sajada wajhiya lilladhi khalaqahu wa sawwarahu wa shaqqa sam‘ahu wa basarahu bihawlihi wa quwwatihi, tabaarak Allahu ahsanu al-khaliqeen
(O Allah, to You I have prostrated, in You I have believed, and to You I have submitted. My face has prostrated to the One Who created it, shaped it, and opened its hearing and sight by His might and power. Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators). - اللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبْ لِي بِهَا عِنْدَكَ أَجْرًا، وَضَعْ عَنِّي بِهَا وِزْرًا، وَاجْعَلْهَا لِي عِنْدَكَ ذُخْرًا، وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْتَهَا مِنْ عَبْدِكَ دَاوُد
Allahumma uktub li biha ‘indaka ajran, wa da‘ ‘anni biha wizran, waj‘alha li ‘indaka dhukhran, wataqabbalha minni kama taqabbaltaha min ‘abdika Dawud
(O Allah, record for me a reward for it, remove from me a sin because of it, make it for me a treasure with You, and accept it from me just as You accepted it from Your servant Dawud).
In short, the minimum is to say Subhaana Rabbiyal A‘la, and beyond that, you may add any of these du‘as or other supplications.
Practical Rulings and Common Questions
Beyond the basic steps, Muslims often face real-life situations about Sajdah Tilawah. Here are the most common questions answered clearly.
Do You Need Wudu to perform Sajdah Tilawat?
The majority of scholars say yes, you should be in a state of wudu to perform sajdah tilawah. Some Hanbali scholars allowed it without wudu, but the safer and stronger view is to have ablution, since sujood is an act of worship like prayer.
Can You Delay or Make Up Missed Sajdah?
According to the Hanafi school, if you miss a sajdah tilawah, you should make it up later. However, if you recite or hear the same sajdah verse multiple times in one sitting, only one prostration is required at the end.
Do You Prostrate When Hearing a Sajdah Verse from a Recording?
When listening to a recorded recitation on a phone, computer, or any device, you are not required to perform sajdah tilawah. Classical scholars had already discussed a similar issue: if someone only hears an echo of the verse, sajdah is not required, since it is not the original recitation. This ruling extends naturally to modern recordings.
Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله explained that sajdah is not prescribed for the listener unless the reciter themselves prostrates. He referred to the report where Zayd ibn Thabit recited Surah An-Najm before the Prophet ﷺ, and neither of them prostrated. This shows that sajdah tilawah is not obligatory, and that a listener only follows if the reciter prostrates.
So, if you hear the verse live from someone, you may follow them. But if it is just a recording, sajdah tilawah is not required.
What should you do If You Cannot Prostrate Physically?
If illness, disability, or limited space prevents you from making a full sujood, you can bow your head slightly as a symbolic prostration. This keeps the spirit of humility while accommodating your ability.
What Times When is Sujood Tilawat disliked?
Scholars discourage performing sajdah tilawah during the three forbidden times of prayer:
- At sunrise.
- At the zenith (just before Dhuhr).
- At sunset.
Who Is Exempt from Sajdah Tilawah?
Those not accountable for prayer are also exempt from sajdah tilawah: children, the sleeping, the insane, and women in menstruation.
However, the Hanafi school makes a distinction regarding menstruating women: they do not perform sajdah while in that state, but once purified, they are expected to make up the missed sajdah later. This view is specific to the Hanafi madhab, while other schools generally do not require making it up.
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Conclusion
So, is it compulsory to do sajdah while reading Quran? The ruling differs among the madhabs: Hanafis see it as wajib, while Shafi‘i, Maliki, and most Hanbali scholars view it as a strong Sunnah. But the best path is to follow the Prophet ﷺ and perform it whenever you encounter a sajdah verse, gaining reward and drawing nearer to Allah.
Sajdah Tilawah is more than just a physical gesture; it is a sign of immediate submission to Allah’s command. Each time you bow down, you train your heart to respond with humility and obedience. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The closest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating.” (Muslim). Every sajdah raises your rank, wipes away sins, and deepens your bond with your Creator.
So, do not stop at learning the theory. Let the next sajdah verse you read or hear become an opportunity to act, transforming your recitation into worship and your worship into closeness with Allah.
