Is prostrating oneself absolutely to Allah at any time, with the reported supplications, based on the Hadith: "Help me by prostrating much," sound or an innovation?
The basic principle concerning acts of worship is tawqif (strict adherence to what is legislated). A singular prostration is not legislated unless it is a prostration of recitation (sajdat al-tilawah) or a prostration of thankfulness (sajdat al-shukr). Whoever innovates something in the religion that is not part of it, it is rejected. A singular prostration [performed independently] is an innovation (bid'ah). Acts of worship are based on divine legislation, not on innovation. Scholars have agreed that a singular bowing (ruku') is forbidden because it is an innovation. Furthermore, one is not rewarded for an innovation, and it diverts one from the Sunnah.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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