—its recitation is a pillar—unlike ordinary human speech, which is prohibited in and of itself, without qualification. Thus, the analogy is unsound. Nevertheless, one should not recite the Quran while bowing or prostrating, because the Quran is the noblest of speech, and it is not fitting for it to be recited in a posture of humility and submission. Although humbling oneself before Allah brings elevation and honor, this posture is not suited to the Quran; rather, standing is the fitting posture. This is why what is appropriate in bowing and prostration is to declare Allah—exalted is He—free of deficiency and abasement.

The prayer is invalidated only by omitting a prostration of forgetfulness whose preferred timing is before the salām.

His statement, “The prayer is invalidated only by omitting a prostration whose preferred timing is before the salām,” means that the prayer is invalidated by omitting a prostration of forgetfulness whose preferred timing is before the salām.

“Only” means: not one whose preferred timing is after the salām.

Here, the author—may Allah have mercy on him—indicates two issues:

The first issue is that whether the prostration is performed before or after the salām is a matter of preference, not obligation. Thus, if a person performs it before the salām in a case where its preferred timing is after the salām, there is no sin upon him; and if he performs it after the salām in a case where its preferred timing is before the salām, there is no sin upon him. The preferable practice is to prostrate before the salām, except when one gives the salām before completing the prayer; in that case, the preferable practice is to prostrate after the salām. This is the rule of the school. (1)

The evidence that it is preferable to prostrate after the salām when one gives the salām before completing the prayer is the hadith of Abu Hurayrah, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, led one of the two afternoon prayers and gave the salām after two rak‘ahs. They reminded him, so he completed his prayer, and then