🧾 Section 10: Comparison of Sujūd al-Tilāwah in the Four Sunni Madhāhib (Schools of Islamic Jurisprudence)

The practice of Sujūd al-Tilāwah is universally acknowledged across the four major schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali  though they differ slightly in conditions, requirements, and obligations.

Below is a detailed comparison of their views:

🕌 10.1 Hanafi School

🔸 Obligation:
Sujūd al-Tilāwah is wājib (mandatory) for both the reciter and the listener, provided the recitation is audible and the person is eligible for prayer.

🔸 Wudū:
Required. A person must be in a state of ritual purity (ṭahārah) just like for Ṣalāh.

🔸 Facing Qiblah:
Obligatory, and intention (niyyah) is required.

🔸 Timeframe:
Must be performed without undue delay; delaying without excuse may be sinful.

🔸 Source:
Imam Abu Hanifa based this ruling on the verse:

فَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ إِلَّا سُجُودًا
“They do not listen to it except to prostrate.”
(Qur’an 19:58)

📘 Reference:
Al-Hidayah by al-Marghinani; Radd al-Muhtar by Ibn Abidin.

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🕌 10.2 Maliki School

🔸 Obligation:
Sujūd al-Tilāwah is not obligatory, but strongly recommended (sunnah mu’akkadah) only for the reciter, not the listener.

🔸 Wudū:
Not required, but performing it with wudū is preferred.

🔸 Facing Qiblah:
Not necessary unless being done in formal worship setting.

🔸 Intention (Niyyah):
Not strictly required.

🔸 Source:
Malikis stress the spiritual and non-obligatory nature of Sujūd al-Tilāwah, seeing it as an act of ta‘aẓẓum (glorification), not command.

📘 Reference:
Al-Mudawwanah al-Kubra by Imam Sahnun; Risālah of Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani.

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🕌 10.3 Shafi‘i School

🔸 Obligation:
Not obligatory, but a confirmed Sunnah for both reciter and listener when they hear or recite the verse.

🔸 Wudū:
Required, similar to Salah.

🔸 Facing Qiblah & Niyyah:
Both necessary, as Sujūd is treated like part of Salah.

🔸 Verbal Recitation:
If the verse is only read silently or mentally, Sujūd is not necessary.

🔸 Source:
They cite the Hadith:

كان النبي ﷺ يسجد في القرآن في مواضع معروفة
“The Prophet ﷺ used to prostrate upon reciting verses of Sujūd.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1067)

📘 Reference:
Al-Umm by Imam al-Shafi‘i; Al-Majmu‘ by Imam al-Nawawi.

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🕌 10.4 Hanbali School

🔸 Obligation:
Considered Sunnah mu’akkadah, not wājib, but highly encouraged.

🔸 Wudū:
Required.

🔸 Facing Qiblah and Niyyah:
Both are required, in line with other acts of submission.

🔸 Additional Notes:
Hanbalis allow Sujūd to be performed even outside of Salah, as a sign of humility and worship.

📘 Reference:
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah; Zād al-Mustaqni‘ with commentary by Ibn Uthaymeen.

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📊 Summary Table of Key Differences

Madhhab	Is Sujūd Wājib?	Wudū Required?	Listener Must Prostrate?	Must Face Qiblah?
Hanafi	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maliki	No (Recommended)	No	No	No
Shafi‘i	No (Recommended)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hanbali	No (Recommended)	Yes	Yes	Yes

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✍️ Scholarly Insight

🔹 Imam Ibn Qudāmah (Hanbali):

“Sujūd al-Tilāwah is an act of submission, encouraged whenever one encounters the verses of prostration, but it is not a binding command.”

(al-Mughni, Vol. 1)

🔹 Imam al-Nawawi (Shafi‘i):

“The Sujūd is not obligatory but is emphasized by the Prophet's regular practice.”

(al-Majmu‘, Vol. 3)

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✅ Conclusion

While all four schools affirm the virtue and value of Sujūd al-Tilāwah, the differences lie in its legal ruling, conditions, and requirements. Regardless of the school followed, Sujūd al-Tilāwah remains a beautiful expression of humility, devotion, and response to Allah’s divine speech.

فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا

“So prostrate to Allah and worship Him.”

Qur’an 53:62