📿 Section 8: Benefits and Virtues of Sujūd al-Tilāwah

Sujūd al-Tilāwah (Prostration of Recitation) is not just a symbolic act of obedience; it carries profound spiritual and moral benefits. Scholars, both classical and contemporary, have outlined the virtues that result from consistently practicing Sujūd al-Tilāwah, supported by the Qur'an, Hadith, and reflections from the Salaf (early Muslims).

🌟 8.1. Expression of True Submission

Sujūd is the highest physical manifestation of humility in Islam. Through Sujūd al-Tilāwah, the believer reaffirms submission to Allah's command:

 وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا ۝ وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِن كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا

"And they fall upon their faces weeping, and it increases their humility. And they say, 'Exalted is our Lord! Truly the promise of our Lord has been fulfilled.'"

 Qur’an 17:107–108

📘 Tafsīr al-Jalalayn explains that this verse refers to those whose hearts tremble upon hearing the words of Allah. Sujūd becomes a response of awe, not merely ritual.

💫 8.2. Elevation in Spiritual Rank

The Prophet ﷺ said:

 "أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ، فَأَكْثِرُوا الدُّعَاءَ"

“The closest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is in prostration, so increase in supplication therein.”

 (Sahih Muslim, 482)

🕌 Reflection: Sujūd al-Tilāwah becomes a direct access point to Allah’s mercy, even if brief. Scholars like Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah emphasize that every act of sujūd draws the heart closer to the Divine Presence.

🧽 8.3. Purification of the Heart

Sujūd is often mentioned in tandem with Tawbah (repentance) and Tazkiyyah (purification) in classical Islamic literature. Falling into sujūd upon hearing a verse reminds the believer of his mortality and servitude.

 كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِبْ

“No! Do not obey him, but prostrate and draw near [to Allah].” Qur’an 96:19

📝 According to Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, this command to "prostrate and draw near" implies spiritual closeness, not just physical. It is an invitation to cleanse the heart from arrogance and worldly attachment.

🎁 8.4. Attaining Reward for Each Prostration

 "إذا قرأ ابن آدم السجدة فسجد، اعتزل الشيطان يبكي يقول: يا ويله! أُمر ابن آدم بالسجود فسجد فله الجنة، وأُمرت بالسجود فأبيت فلي النار."

“When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and then prostrates, Shayṭān withdraws and cries, saying: ‘Woe to me! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate and he did, so Paradise is for him; I was also commanded to prostrate, but I refused, so Hell is for me.’”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 81)

📌 This Hadith powerfully illustrates the eternal reward tied to obedience — even in small acts like Sujūd al-Tilāwah — and the consequences of pride as exemplified by Shayṭān.

🌙 8.5. Strengthens Connection to the Qur’an

Sujūd al-Tilāwah makes the act of listening to or reciting the Qur’an interactive. It transforms passive reading into active submission.

📖 Imam al-Nawawi mentions in Al-Majmūʿ that Sujūd al-Tilāwah:

 “Increases the connection between the reciter and the words of Allah, making his soul more receptive to divine meanings.”

🧠 8.6. Sign of Faith (Iman) and Obedience

 إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًۭا

“Only those who believe in Our verses are those who, when reminded by them, fall in prostration...”

Qur’an 32:15

💬 Shaykh al-Shanqīti in his Adwā' al-Bayān notes:

 “This verse indicates that those who make Sujūd al-Tilāwah do so out of sincerity, and it becomes a manifestation of true belief.”

📚 Scholarly Commentary

Scholar Commentary

Imam al-Nawawi “Prostration for recitation is among the recommended (sunnah mu’akkadah) acts, especially for the person of taqwa.”

Ibn Qudamah “It brings the soul into active humility... Those who ignore it lose out on spiritual reward.”

Ibn Taymiyyah “Wherever a person recites sajdah verses, he should act as the Prophet ﷺ did  by humbling himself immediately.”

🔁 Summary Table: Virtues of Sujūd al-Tilāwah

Virtue Source Qur'anic/Hadith Proof

Closeness to Allah Muslim, 482 "فَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِبْ" (96:19)

A Sign of True Faith Qur’an "خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًۭا" (32:15)

High Reward Muslim, 81 Shayṭān weeps when you obey

Removes Arrogance Tafsīr Physical humility leads to spiritual clarity

Interactive Qur’an al-Nawawi Active connection strengthens spirituality

In the next section (Section 9), we will cover:

Section 9: Sujūd al-Tilāwah in Contemporary Muslim Practice

Common misunderstandings

Sujūd while reading from a phone/app

Sujūd in public 

gatherings, livestreams, and classrooms

Virtual recitation and digital Qur'an devices