Sujud

From Mw

The word sujūd (Arabic: سُجود) is the verbal noun of the verb sajada. Sujud is the prostration to God that is usually performed during salah. It literally means humility, and in the Qu'ran, it denotes humility to Allah, and his worship. Sujud is performed by prostrating, while both hands, both feet, forehead (along with the nose), and knees touch the ground.^[1] Sujud is done twice for every rak`ah. This means that in the shortest salah, which is fajr, four sajdahs are performed.

[edit] Types of sujūd

Other than the sujud done in prayer, there are three other types. Wudu` is required to perform all sujud, except sajdah ash-shukur (prostration of gratitude).

1. Prostration of forgetfulness (Arabic: سجدة السهو sajdah as-sahu): This sujud is performed when one is not sure of how many rak`at i.e. if he thinks he prayed an extra or one less. It consists of two prostrations before the tasleem.

2. Prostration of recitation (Arabic: سجدة التِلاوة sajdah at-tilawah): This supergatory sujud is performed when certain verses of the Qur'an are read. There 15 such verses in the Qur'an. When a verse with a prostrations is read, one can face the qiblah, say the takbeer , and go down into the position of sujud.^[2]

3. Prostration of gratitude (Arabic: سجدة الشُّكُر sajdah ash-shukur): The Prophet

used to peform this specific prostration when good news came to him. This sujud is peformed like the above two. Wudu` is not required for it.^[3]

[edit] What is said in sujūd

There are different types of dhikr that the Prophet used to say while in sujud. The most common of which the Prophet used to recite were "subḥana rabbi al-`ala or subḥana rabbi al-`ala wa biḥamdih three times or more.^[4]

It is forbidden to recite the Qur'an while in sujud.