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Is one to prostrate or bow when reading a verse that commands bowing?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Congratulations on completing the recitation of the Quran. Begin a new recitation, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, described the one who recites the Quran as a traveler who completes a journey and then immediately starts another, meaning he finishes the Quran and then begins reciting from the start again. As for the prostration of recitation (Sujud al-Tilawah), it is a confirmed Sunnah in fifteen places, and we have clarified its ruling in previous fatwas. It is not permissible to substitute it with bowing (ruku') or anything else, despite the mention of the word "bowing" in the story of David, peace be upon him, in Surat Sad, for it has been authentically established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, performed prostration in that instance as an expression of gratitude to Allah Almighty.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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