📚 Section 14: Legal Rulings of Sujūd al-Tilāwah in the Four Madhāhib

14.1 Hanafi Madhhab

Ruling: Sujūd al-Tilāwah is Wājib (obligatory) upon anyone who recites or hears a verse of sajdah.

Condition: Must be in a state of Wudhu, must face the Qiblah, and cover the 'awrah.

Source:

 "فإذا قرأ آية سجدة أو سمعها وجب عليه السجود" – (Hidayah, Vol. 1)

If one hears a recording, no Sujūd is required unless the sound is live.

14.2 Maliki Madhhab

Ruling: Sujūd al-Tilāwah is Sunnah Mu’akkadah (a confirmed Sunnah).

Only the Reciter is required to do it—not the listener.

Can be performed without Wudhu, although Wudhu is preferred.

Quote:

 "السجود عند سماع آية السجدة سنة فقط، للقارئ، ولا يجب على السامع." – (Sharh al-Kharshi)

14.3 Shafi‘i Madhhab

Ruling: Sujūd al-Tilāwah is Sunnah (non-obligatory) for both the reciter and listener.

Conditions: Wudhu, facing Qiblah, and purity of body and place.

It should be done immediately after the verse if possible.

Not required if the verse is recited in a non-prayer context without intent to perform it.

14.4 Hanbali Madhhab

Ruling: Sujūd al-Tilāwah is Sunnah for both the reciter and the listener.

Wudhu and facing Qiblah are recommended.

Delaying it without valid reason is discouraged.

Source:

 "ويسن سجود التلاوة للقارئ والمستمع" – (Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah)

🕋 Section 15: Sujūd al-Tilāwah During Prayer vs Outside Prayer

15.1 During Prayer

If the Imam recites a Sajdah verse during Salah, then:

He should perform Sujūd.

The followers must follow him in Sajdah.

If recited in Nafl prayer, Sujūd is performed.

In obligatory prayer, most scholars say it should not be done frequently, especially by Imams, as it may confuse followers.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA): "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited a Sajdah verse and made Sujūd, so we followed him."

 Sahih Muslim, Hadith 577

15.2 Outside Prayer

Can be done alone or in gathering.

Conditions: Wudhu, Qiblah, Clean place.

It is Sunnah to say Allāhu Akbar before and after Sajdah (especially in Hanafī fiqh).

No Tashahhud or Salam is required according to the majority.

📱 Section 16: Contemporary Questions – Sujūd Tilāwah with Digital Qur’an

16.1 Listening from Phones / Recordings

If the Sajdah verse is heard from a recording, the Hanafi school says Sujūd is not required, because it is not a live recitation.

Other schools generally agree that no Sujūd is due unless the reciter is live (e.g., YouTube Live, Radio Broadcasts).

16.2 Reading Without Voice

Merely reading a Sajdah verse silently in your mind without moving your tongue does not require Sujūd, even in Hanafi opinion.

16.3 Using Translation Only

Reading the English translation of a Sajdah verse does not require Sujūd, but it is recommended to pause and show respect.

🧾 Section 17: Sujūd Tilāwah Etiquettes

Action Ruling

Say “Allāhu Akbar” before and after Sujūd Sunnah (Hanafi)

Make one single Sajdah Wājib/Sunnah

No need for Tashahhud or Salām Majority opinion

State of Wudhu and Taharah Required (Hanafi & Shafi‘i)

Recite: "سجد وجهي للذي خلقه..." (Du'a of Sujūd) Recommended

Dua of Sujūd:

 سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ، وَصَوَّرَهُ، وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ، بِحَوْلِهِ وَقُوَّتِهِ

“My face has prostrated to the One Who created it, shaped it, and opened its hearing and vision by His might and power.” Abu Dawood, 1414

📚 References 

Ibn Qudamah. (1997). Al-Mughni. Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah.

Al-Kasani, A. (1997). Bada’i al-Sana’i. Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah.

Al-Nawawi. (2005). Al-Majmu‘ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab. Dar al-Fikr.

Malik ibn Anas. (2004). Al-Muwatta’. Translated by A. Bewley. Madinah Press.

Al-Shawkani, M. (2004). Nayl al-Awtar. Dar al-Hadith.

Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim; Sunan Abu Dawood; Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi.