What should one do if they are reading the Quran in a car and reach an ayah of prostration?

Prostration of recitation (sujud al-tilawah) is considered a recommended act by the majority of jurists. For a person riding in a car or similar vehicle who recites a verse of prostration and wishes to prostrate for it, there are two scenarios:

- If he is a traveler: He may prostrate by gesturing (eemaan), even if not facing the Qiblah, by analogy with supererogatory prayers for a traveler. - If he is a resident: The majority of jurists hold that he may not gesture, nor may he abandon facing the Qiblah. However, some Hanbalis permit gesturing for him as well.

Therefore, if he is riding, and he is a traveler, he should gesture for prostration in the direction he is facing. But if he is in his home town, he should not gesture and must not abandon facing the Qiblah.