🖥️ Section 9: Sujūd al-Tilāwah in Contemporary Muslim Practice
As Muslims today engage with the Qur’an through diverse means mobile apps, audio recordings, and virtual classrooms important questions arise regarding the proper observance of Sujūd al-Tilāwah in modern settings. This section addresses how contemporary Muslims can maintain the sunnah of prostration with fiqh accuracy and spiritual mindfulness.
📱 9.1 Sujūd al-Tilāwah While Using Digital Devices
Issue: Can a person perform Sujūd al-Tilāwah when hearing or reading from a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop?
Scholarly Opinion:
The majority of contemporary scholars allow Sujūd al-Tilāwah when reciting from digital devices, provided the person has wudu and the verse is intentionally recited aloud.
🔹 Shaykh Ibn Baz said:
"There is nothing wrong with performing Sujūd al-Tilāwah after reading a verse of prostration from a phone or screen, as long as the verse is recited intentionally."
📘 Reference: Fatawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb, Ibn Baz
🔹 If you are listening passively (e.g. in a car or grocery store), it is recommended (not obligatory) to perform the prostration, but not mandatory.
"لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا"
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.”
Qur’an 2:286
👥 9.2 Sujūd in Classrooms, Gatherings & Public Spaces
Scenario: A teacher or student recites a verse of prostration in class or during a study circle. Should they perform Sujūd?
🔹 Ruling: Sujūd al-Tilāwah is recommended (sunnah mu’akkadah) but not obligatory. If you feel shy or are in a setting where it might cause discomfort or disruption, you may delay it or perform it later.
"فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ"
“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”
Qur’an 64:16
📌 According to the Maliki madhhab, Sujūd al-Tilāwah is only recommended for the reciter not required for the listener unless both are in a formal act of Qur’an recitation.
🌐 9.3 Sujūd During Live Broadcasts or YouTube Recitation
Question: If I am watching a Qur’an recitation on YouTube or listening to a live Qur’an competition and a verse of Sujūd is recited, should I prostrate?
🔹 Answer:
If you are paying attention and hear the verse clearly, it is recommended to perform Sujūd. However, if the broadcast is recorded and not a direct interaction, scholars like Shaykh Uthaymeen regard it as non-obligatory.
"If the listener hears the verse of prostration from a recording, there is no prostration upon him."
Liqa al-Bab al-Maftuh, Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen
🕌 9.4 Can Women Do Sujūd al-Tilāwah Without Hijab?
🔹 Ruling: If a woman is alone or among mahram (non-marriageable) relatives, she may perform Sujūd al-Tilāwah without a hijab as it is not prayer (ṣalāh) and therefore does not require full prayer attire.
However, out of respect and modesty, it is preferred to wear a head covering if possible.
🧼 9.5 Wudū (Ablution) Requirement
Is Wudū necessary for Sujūd al-Tilāwah?
🔹 Majority view (Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali): Wudū is required since Sujūd resembles a part of Ṣalāh.
🔹 Maliki view: Not obligatory, but recommended.
📘 Ibn Qudāmah in al-Mughnī says:
"Wudū for Sujūd al-Tilāwah is like wudū for prayer, since it involves direct physical submission."
Conclusion: Best to be in a state of wudū to honor the prostration, but no sin if omitted unintentionally.
📍 Practical Tips for Observing Sujūd al-Tilāwah Today
Situation Should I Do Sujūd? Ruling
Reciting from a mobile app Yes Recommended
Listening to a YouTube recitation No (recorded) Not required
In a classroom/meeting Yes, if comfortable Recommended
While walking or traveling Delay until possible Permissible
Without wudū Perform later or after wudū Sunnah with wudū
🧭 Summary
Sujūd al-Tilāwah remains a timeless practice adaptable across contexts. Whether on-screen or on paper, Allah’s words retain their majesty. Our response, ideally, is sujūd even if brief or symbolic.
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقُرْآنُ لَا يَخِرُّونَ عَلَيْهِ سُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا
“And when the Qur’an is recited to them, they do not fall upon it deaf and blind.”
Qur’an 25:73
Section 10: Comparison of Views Across the Four Madhāhib (Imam Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafi‘i, Ahmad)?
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