How to Do Sajdah When Reading Quran

Key Takeaways

Sajdat al-Tilawah is a single sujood performed upon reciting or hearing any of the 15 designated verses in the Quran.

The ruling is Sunnah — strongly recommended but not obligatory — according to the majority of scholars.

You should say the verified prophetic dua: “Sajada wajhi lil-ladhi khalaqahu…” and the longer supplication from Ibn Majah.

Tahara (purification) is recommended but not strictly required for sajdat al-tilawah outside of salah, per the stronger scholarly opinion.

No tashahhud or tasleem is needed — sajdat al-tilawah is one sujood only, with a takbeer to go down and a takbeer to rise.

Millions of Muslims read the Quran daily but freeze the moment they encounter the small ۩ symbol in the margin — unsure whether to stop, what to say, or even how to physically perform the sajdah correctly. That moment of hesitation is one of the most common concerns we hear from students at Buruj Academy.

Sajdat al-Tilawah is a single prostration performed when you recite or hear one of the 15 specific verses in the Quran that carry this command. It requires no tashahud, no salaam, and in most cases, no wudu — just a sincere sujood with the correct dua.

What Is Sajdat al-Tilawah?

Sajdat al-Tilawah is a prostration of recitation — a single sujood made in response to specific Quranic verses that describe prostration before Allah. It applies to both the person reciting and anyone listening attentively. 

What Is the Ruling of Sajdat al-Tilawah?

According to the majority of scholars, its ruling is Sunnah, not a wajib (obligation). If you are mid-salah and recite an ayah of sajdah, you perform the sujood within the prayer itself. If you are reciting outside of salah — during personal tilawah or a study session — you stop, perform one sujood, then resume. Missing it is not sinful, but performing it carries significant reward.

When Should You Perform Sajdat al-Tilawah?

The occasion for sajdat al-tilawah is triggered by two scenarios:

• Recitation: You yourself read the verse aloud or silently
• Listening: You hear someone else recite it attentively (not passively in the background)

Read also: Hadith About Reading Quran with Tajweed

Where Are the 15 Positions of Sajdah in the Quran?

The 15 positions of sajdah are well-established in classical scholarship. Knowing them in advance prevents confusion during recitation — especially for students working through longer surahs.

#	Surah	Verse Number
1	Al-A’raf (7)	206
2	Ar-Ra’d (13)	15
3	An-Nahl (16)	50
4	Al-Isra (17)	109
5	Maryam (19)	58
6	Al-Hajj (22)	18
7	Al-Hajj (22)	77
8	Al-Furqan (25)	60
9	An-Naml (27)	26
10	As-Sajdah (32)	15
11	Sad (38)	24
12	Fussilat (41)	38
13	An-Najm (53)	62
14	Al-Inshiqaq (84)	21
15	Al-Alaq (96)	19

Note: The Hanafi madhab counts 14 positions, excluding Sad (38:24) and including the second verse in Al-Hajj. The table above follows the majority position of 15. In our classes at Buruj Academy, we teach students to mark these positions in their personal Mushaf at the start of their learning — it saves significant confusion later.

Book a FREE trial session with one of Buruj’s Azhari Quran tutors

How to Perform Sajdat al-Tilawah Outside of Salah Step by Step

Sajdat al-Tilawah outside of salah consists of three simple actions: a takbeer to descend, the sujood itself with the prescribed dua, then a takbeer to rise. There is no standing, no ruku, no tashahud, and no salaam.

Here is the complete sequence:

Step 1 — Face the Qiblah

Turn to face the Qiblah if possible. This is required according to the majority of scholars, just as it is required in salah. If you are unable to face the Qiblah due to your circumstances, the sujood is still valid, Insha’Allah.

Step 2 — Make the Intention (Niyyah)

Intend in your heart to perform sajdat al-tilawah. No verbal declaration is needed — the intention is internal.

Step 3 — Say Takbeer and Descend

Say “Allahu Akbar” and go directly into sujood. The majority of scholars (Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali) do not require raising the hands as in salah. The Hanafi position is that takbeer is not obligatory outside salah, but saying it is the established Sunnah practice.

Step 4 — Recite the Prescribed Dua in Sujood

The Prophet ﷺ taught two authentic duas for this sujood. You may also say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” three times, as you would in the sujood of salah — this is permitted according to scholars.

Step 5 — Rise with Takbeer

Say “Allahu Akbar” and rise from sujood. There is no sitting between sujood positions, no tashahud, and absolutely no tasleem (salaam).

Resume your recitation immediately after rising.

What Is the Dua for Sujood When Reading Quran?

The dua for sujood when reading Quran comes from two verified prophetic narrations — the first emphasizing Allah’s creative power over our senses, and the second requesting reward, forgiveness, and acceptance. Both are authentically established and may be said together or separately.

The First Dua (verified in Sunan Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi):

سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ، وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ، بِحَوْلِهِ وَقُوَّتِهِ

Sajada wajhiya lil-ladhi khalaqahu, wa shaqqa sam’ahu wa basarahu, bi-hawlihi wa quwwatihi.

“My face has prostrated before the One who created it, and opened its hearing and sight by His might and power.” (Sunan Abu Dawud 1414)

The Second Dua (verified in Sunan Ibn Majah):

اللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبْ لِي بِهَا عِنْدَكَ أَجْرًا، وَضَعْ عَنِّي بِهَا وِزْرًا، وَاجْعَلْهَا لِي عِنْدَكَ ذُخْرًا، وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْتَهَا مِنْ عَبْدِكَ دَاوُدَ

Allahumma-ktub li biha ‘indaka ajran, wa da’ ‘anni biha wizran, waj’alha li ‘indaka dhukhran, wa taqabbalha minni kama taqabbaltaha min ‘abdika Dawud.

“O Allah, record for me a reward for it with You, remove from me a burden for it, store it for me as a treasure with You, and accept it from me as You accepted it from Your servant Dawud.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 1053)

In our experience teaching Islamic Studies at Buruj Academy, students often memorize only “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” for this sujood — which is permissible — but miss the specific prophetic duas above that are uniquely designated for sajdat al-tilawah. Learning both duas meaningfully enhances the spiritual depth of the prostration.

Discover the Buruj Academy Difference

Step into our virtual classrooms and see how our expert instructors make learning Quran and Arabic intuitive and clear. We focus on overcoming the specific hurdles non-native speakers face, building your confidence and connection with the Quran.

How to Perform Sujud During Quran Recitation Inside Salah

When you recite an ayah of sajdah during salah, the method differs slightly from performing it outside of salah. The sujood is performed within the prayer without breaking its structure.

The steps inside salah are:

1. After reciting the verse of sajdah, say “Allahu Akbar” and go directly into sujood from the standing position — bypassing ruku entirely
2. Recite the sujood dua (as above)
3. Rise from sujood with “Allahu Akbar”
4. Return to the standing position (qiyam) and continue reciting

If you are a follower (ma’mum) and your imam recites an ayah of sajdah, you follow the imam into sujood even if you did not hear the verse clearly. If the imam does not perform it, you do not perform it independently within the prayer.

Learning to recite with proper Tajweed naturally prepares you to navigate these moments fluently — students in Buruj Academy’s Online Tajweed Classes practice live recitation scenarios including sajdah verses with Ijazah-certified instructors who correct both the recitation and the response in real time.

Book Your FREE Trial Lesson to Begin Your Tajweed Journey

Do You Have to Do Sujood While Reading Quran?

You are not obligated to perform sajdat al-tilawah — missing it is not sinful according to the majority of scholars. The ruling is Sunnah Mu’akkadah: strongly recommended and a source of great reward, but not a fard (obligation).

The Hanafi school holds a different opinion, considering it wajib (obligatory) — meaning leaving it without a valid excuse is sinful in their view. Students following the Hanafi madhab should be aware of this distinction and consult a qualified scholar.

Practically speaking, if you are in a situation where performing the sujood is difficult — on public transport, in an office, or mid-conversation — it is acceptable to continue reciting without performing it. However, when circumstances allow, performing it is always the stronger and more rewarding choice.

Read also: Hadith About Reading Quran with Difficulty

Do You Need Wudu for Sajdat al-Tilawah?

Tahara (ritual purity) is recommended for sajdat al-tilawah but is not a strict condition for its validity outside of salah, according to the more supported scholarly opinion. Scholars including Ibn Taymiyyah held that it may be performed without wudu, though having wudu is always preferred.

The conditions that are agreed upon by the majority are:

• Facing the Qiblah — required
• Covering the awrah — required
• Tahara — strongly recommended; required according to some scholars

If you are in a state of major impurity (junub) or a woman in her menstrual cycle, the majority position prohibits the sujood in that state. When in doubt, follow the safer opinion and perform wudu before the sujood.

For students who are still building their foundational understanding of Quran etiquette and recitation, our reading the Quran for the first time guide covers essential practical knowledge alongside these fiqh basics.

Start Your Quran Journey with Buruj Academy’s Expert Instructors

Performing sajdat al-tilawah correctly is one of many practical skills that transforms a good recitation into a complete, spiritually engaged one. Buruj Academy helps non-Arabic speaking Muslims build exactly this kind of confident, grounded relationship with the Quran.

Our Online Quran Classes are led by Al-Azhar University graduates and Ijazah-certified instructors with 12+ years of experience teaching students worldwide. Every session is 1-on-1, flexible, and built around the Buruj Method — patient, structured, and practically focused from day one.

Join a global community of learners and find the path that best supports your spiritual and intellectual growth:

• Online Studies Islamic Classes (General & Flexible)
• Islamic Studies Course for Beginners (Foundational Knowledge)
• Islamic Studies Classes for Kids (Engaging & Values-Based)
• Islamic Studies Classes for Adults (In-Depth Theological Discussion)
• Islamic Studies Classes for Ladies (Sisterhood & Specialized Learning)
• Islamic Studies Classes for New Muslims (Guided Support & Essentials)
• Tafseer Al Quran Course (Unlocking Divine Meanings)
• Quranic Sciences (Uloom Al Quran) Course (Advanced Linguistic & Historical Context)

Book your free trial lesson today and experience the difference qualified, dedicated instruction makes — whether you are just beginning or refining an existing recitation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sajdat al-Tilawah