What Does One Recite in the Prostration of Recital (sajda al-tilawa)?

Answered by Sidi Salman Younas

Question: What should be recited during the prostration of recital (sajda al tilawa)?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

Ibn Nujaym mentions in his Bahr al-Ra’iq that there is a difference of opinion regarding what exactly should be said during the prostration of recital. The soundest position, he states, is to recite “subhana rabbi al a`la” as in normal prayers. This was also stated by Imam Haskafi in his Durr al-Mukhtar

However, the prostration of recital can be done:

(a) While in prayer, and

(b) While outside prayer.

When in the obligatory prayer, one should recite “subhana rabbi al a`la”.

In the supererogatory prayer one has a choice of reciting this or what has been transmittd from the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Similarly, one has a choice when prostrating outside of prayer.

Imam Shurunbulali mentions a few in his Maraqi al-Falah such as:

اللَّهُمَّ اُكْتُبْ لِي بِهَا عِنْدَك أَجْرًا وَضَعْ عَنِّي بِهَا وِزْرًا وَاجْعَلْهَا لِي عِنْدَك ذُخْرًا وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْتهَا مِنْ عَبْدِك دَاوُد

“Oh Allah, in return for this prostration write down reward for me with you, and in return for this prostration forgive my sins, and make it [the prostration] a reposit for me with you, and accept it from me like you accepted it from your slave Dawud (Allah bless him).”

or

سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ وَصَوَّرَهُ وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ بِحَوْلِهِ وَقُوَّتِهِ

“My face prostrates to the one who created it and shaped it and gave it the ability to hear and see through His might and Power.”

Wasalam

Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani