Question 49: Bismillah,

Assalamu-‘alaikum-warahmatullah Sheikh

Is Sajdah Tilawat Waajib when you read it or hear it from the qur’an. I’ve heard that it isn’t because a hadeeth states that the Prophet (S.A.W.) recited Surah Sajdah in salat and he prostrated when he came to the ayat of sajdah, and the next time he prayed it he recited Surah Sajdah again but did not prostrate at the ayat of Sajdah, is this hadeeth authentic and are there any more proofs/evidences on Sajdah Tilawat NOT being Waajib (if it isn’t)??

Jazakallah Khair for any answers (a.s.a.p. please)

Answer: Assalamualaikum Brother,

The great scholars of the four madhabs differed regarding the ruling of sajdah tilaawah. The Shafiees and Hanbalis held the opinion that it is an emphasized sunnah and not obligatory because once a surah with a sajdah was read in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ and he did not do sajdah.

The Maliki scholars have two opinions: one is that this sajdah is a Sunnah and the other is that it is a fadeelah. But if it’s in a prayer, all Maliki scholars said it is a sunnah.

The Hanafi scholars held the opinion that it is obligatory.

Each opinion has their proofs from the Quran and/or the hadiths, as they were held by very knowledgeable scholars. It would be extensive to mention all their proofs here.

However Imaam Bukhari reported that Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once read surah Nahl on a Friday from the minbar and prostrated when he reached the sajdah. But then in the following week, he read it again and this time, he did not prostrate. And Umar was one of the khulafaa rashideen.