Recommended Prostrations For Reciting Qur'an
Dr. Arafat K. El-Ashi
Muslim World League - Canada Office
Recommended Prostrations For Reciting Qur'an
Dr. Arafat K. El-Ashi
Muslim World League - Canada Office
There are fifteen places In the Qur'an where prostration is recommended once a Muslim recites any of those verses. This applies whether one is reciting the Qur'an in prayer or outside prayer. S/he has to stop reciting and prostrate him/herself. Along with the usual tasbeeh, a Muslim is recommended to say in Arabic: "O God! Accept this from me as You accepted it from your slave Dawood."
For the benefit of Muslims here are the different verses where prostration is recommended. We will start in order from the beginning off the Holy Qur'an to the end:
Al-A'raf (Chapter 7, Verse 206)
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Those who are near to your Lord, disdain not to do Him worship; they celebrate His Praises and to Him they prostrate themselves.
Al-Ra'd (chapter 13, Verse 15)![]()
Whatever beings there are in the heavens and the earth do prostrate themselves to God with goodwill or inspite of themselves: so do their shadows in the mornings and evenings.
Al-Nahl (Chapter 16, Verses 49-50)![]()
And unto God prostrate all that is in heavens and on earth, whether moving living creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant (before their Lord). They all fear their Lord High above them, and they do all that they are commanded.
Al-Israa' (Chapter 17, Verses 107-109)
Say: 'Whether you believe in it or not' It is true that these who were given knowledge beforehand, when it is recited to them fall down on their faces in humble prostration and they say: 'Glory to our Lord. Truly the promise of our Lord has been fulfilled.' They fall down on their faces in tears, and it increases their earnest humility.
Maryam (Chapter 19, Verse 58)![]()
Those were some of the prophets on whom God bestowed His Grace of the posterity of Adam, and of those whom We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Ibrahim and Israel - of those whom We guided and chose; whenever the Signs of God Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.
Al-Hajj (Chapter 22, Verse 18)![]()
Don't you see that to God bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth - the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the animals, and a great number among mankind? But a great number are also such as are fit for punishment: and such as God shall disgrace, none can raise to honor: for God carried out all that He wills.
Al-Hajj (Chapter 22, verse 77)
O you who believe! Bow down, prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord; and do good so that you may prosper.
Al-Furqan (Chapter 25, Verse 60)
When it is said to them: 'Prostrate yourselves to the Most Gracious', they say: 'What is the Most Gracious? Shall we prostrate ourselves to that which you command us?' And it increases their flight from the Truth.
Al-Naml (Chapter 27, Verses 23-26)
I found there a woman ruling over them provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne. I found her and her people prostrating themselves to the sun away from God; the Devil has made their deeds seem pleasing to their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path - so they receive no guidance - that they should not prostrate themselves to God, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you hide and what you reveal. God! there is no god but He! Lord of the Throne Supreme.
Al-Sajdah (chapter 32, Verse 15)
Only those who believe in Our Signs, who, when they are reminded of them (through recitation) fall down in prostration and celebrate the praises of their Lord; nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.
Saad (Chapter 38, Verse 24)
(David) said: 'He has undoubtedly wronged you in demanding your single ewe to be added to his flock of ewes; truly many are the partners who wrong each other: Not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and how few are, they?' David then gathered that We had tried him: so he asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down bowing in prostration and turned to God in repentance.
Fussilat (Chapter 41, Verses 37-38)
And among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Don't prostrate yourselves to the Sun and the Moon, but prostrate to God, who created them if it is Him you wish to worship. If however, they are arrogant, those who are in the presence of your Lord celebrate His praises by night and by day and they never flag.
Al-Najm (Chapter 53, Verses 59-62)
Do you then wonder at this recital? And will you laugh and not weep, wasting your time in vanities? Rather fall down in prostration to God and worship Him (alone)!
Al-lnshiqaq (Chapter 84, Verses 20-21)
What then is the matter with them, that they do not believe? And when the Qur'an is recited to them they fall not prostrate?
Al-'Alaq (Chapter 96, Verse 19)
Nay, heed him not: but bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to God).