📖 Section 7: Historical Practice of Sujūd al-Tilāwah
🔹 7.1. Sujūd al-Tilāwah in the Life of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ not only encouraged the practice of Sujūd al-Tilāwah but also performed it regularly, demonstrating its virtue and spiritual significance. Several authentic hadiths report this act during recitation, both within and outside of ṣalāh (prayer).
🕌 Hadith Evidence from the Sunnah
عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْنَا السُّورَةَ، فَإِذَا جَاءَ مَوْضِعُ السُّجُودِ، كَبَّرَ وَسَجَدَ، وَسَجَدْنَا مَعَهُ
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar reported: The Prophet ﷺ would recite a surah for us, and when he reached a verse of prostration, he would say “Allāhu Akbar,” prostrate, and we would prostrate with him. (Abū Dāwūd, Hadith 1401; Sahih)
This narration confirms:
Collective practice of Sujūd al-Tilāwah
Takbīr before sujūd
That it was performed in congregational settings
🌙 7.2. Prostration During Night Prayers
The Prophet ﷺ was known for his long night prayers (Qiyām al-Layl), during which he would pause for Sujūd al-Tilāwah when encountering sajdah verses.
وَكَانَ إِذَا مَرَّ بِآيَةِ سُجُودٍ سَجَدَ
And whenever he passed by a verse of prostration, he would prostrate.
(Bukhārī, 1123)
This authentic narration from Aisha (RA) highlights that:
The Prophet ﷺ took the literal and immediate approach when hearing such verses
Even in private prayers, sujūd was not omitted
🧕 7.3. Practice of the Sahabah (Companions)
Many companions of the Prophet ﷺ followed his example, and this practice became widespread among the early generations (salaf).
عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: إِذَا قَرَأْتُمُ السَّجْدَةَ فَاسْجُدُوا، فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ سُنَّةُ نَبِيِّكُمْ ﷺ، وَلَا يَعْصِمُكُمُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ
Ibn Mas‘ūd said: “When you recite a verse of prostration, then prostrate; for it is the Sunnah of your Prophet ﷺ, and the hypocrites are not protected from abandoning it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah, 623)
This indicates:
The compulsory nature in practice, even if not technically fard
A sign of true faith versus hypocrisy in obedience
📘 7.4. The Prophet ﷺ Prostrating After Hearing Recitation
It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ once listened to a recitation and prostrated immediately:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ إِذَا السَّمَاءُ انْشَقَّتْ فَسَجَدَ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: أَتَسْجُدُ؟ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَسْجُدُ فِيهَا
Abū Hurayrah recited Surah al-Inshiqāq (84) and prostrated. He was asked, “Do you prostrate?” He replied, “Yes, I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prostrate in it.”
(Muslim, Hadith 578)
This demonstrates:
The strong attachment the companions had to imitating the Prophet ﷺ
The timeliness and immediacy of Sujūd al-Tilāwah upon hearing
📝 7.5. Tafsir al-Sajdah: Qur’anic Emphasis
Allah mentions in the Qur’an:
إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًۭا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
"Only those believe in Our verses who, when reminded by them, fall down in prostration and glorify the praises of their Lord without arrogance."
(Qur’an 32:15)
Imam al-Qurtubi states in his Tafsir:
“This verse shows that the sign of real faith is humility upon hearing revelation. Prostration is the physical expression of such humility.”
🧠 7.6. Historical Significance in Makkah
Even during times of persecution, early Muslims performed Sujūd al-Tilāwah:
When the Prophet ﷺ recited Surah al-Najm, the entire audience prostrated—Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
فَسْجُدُوا۟ وَأَنْتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَ... فَسَجَدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَسَجَدَ مَعَهُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَالْمُشْرِكُونَ
"So fall in prostration and worship Him... The Prophet ﷺ prostrated, and so did the Muslims and the polytheists."
(See: Bukhārī, 1071; Tafsīr of Surah al-Najm)
It became a moment of universal awe and impact, showing the power of divine words to move hearts even those hardened by kufr.
✨ Summary of Key Takeaways
Historical Point Source Takeaway
Prophet ﷺ prostrated during recitation Bukhārī, Muslim A regular part of his Sunnah
Companions followed strictly Abū Hurayrah, Ibn Mas‘ūd Considered it a sign of sincere faith
Night prayer and Sujūd ‘Ā’ishah RA Frequent in Qiyām al-Layl
Mass prostration in Makkah Surah al-Najm Even unbelievers were overwhelmed by revelation
Section 8: Benefits and Virtues of Sujūd al-Tilāwah
→ Covering spiritual effects, humility, earning
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