Is There Anything Which One Can Read to Substitute for the Prostration of Recital?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum,

Is there anything which one can read to substitute for the prostration of recital?

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah,

If unable to perform the prostration of recital (sajda al-tilawa) right away, or even if intending to perform it later, it would be recommended to recite the following supplication:

“We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord. To You we all return. (sami`na wa ata`na ghufranaka rabbana wa ilayka al-masir)” [2.285]

However, if you recite a verse of prostration whilst in a car, for instance, you can perform the prostration by head movements in the direction of travel, provided you are in a state of ritual purity.

[Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah with Tahtawi’s Gloss (2.107), quoting the Fatawa Tatarkhaniyya]

Please also see: How Does One Perform the Prostration of Recital? and: A Reader on the Prostration of Recital

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

قال في مراقي الفلاح: وفي التتارخانية عن الحجة ويستحب للتالي أو السامع إذا لم يمكنه السجود أن يقول سمعنا وأطعنا غفرانك ربنا وإليك المصير انتهى يعني ثم يقضيها

Wassalam,

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.