Some scholars held (1) that if he recites while bowing or prostrating, his prayer is invalidated; this was also the view of some of the Literalists.

They cited as evidence that the Prophet ﷺ was forbidden to recite the Quran while bowing or prostrating. (2) The basic principle regarding a prohibition is that it denotes forbiddance. Accordingly, reciting the Quran while bowing or prostrating is unlawful, and it is well known that when a person does something unlawful within an act of worship, it is invalidated.

But the majority said: this is not unlawful in itself; rather, it is unlawful by virtue of its being done in that particular place. This differs from ordinary speech, for speech in the prayer undoubtedly invalidates it, because it is unlawful in itself. As for this, recitation is not, in principle, unlawful in the prayer; rather, it is prescribed in its proper place. The prohibition concerns only its being done in this particular place, and thus it does not invalidate the prayer. This is the preponderant view: namely, that it does not invalidate it.

Further point: If one performs a recommended act in a place other than its proper place—for example, if he forgetfully raises his hands while descending to prostration—is the prostration of forgetfulness prescribed?

The answer is: it is not prescribed, because if the prostration is not prescribed for omitting it, despite that being a deficiency in the essential form of the prayer, then it is even less prescribed for performing it. Nevertheless, it does not invalidate the prayer, because it is of the same type as the prayer itself. However, it will come, Allah willing, in the chapter on the prostration of forgetfulness, that if one utters something prescribed in the prayer in a place other than its proper place, it is recommended for him to perform the prostration of forgetfulness—for example, if he says, “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High,” while bowing, then remembers and says, “Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent.” In that case, he has uttered