of ʿUthmān and others indicates that it is obligatory.

It may also be said that what ʿUmar intended was that prostration has not been prescribed for us in this specific situation—namely, when the imam recites the verse while on the pulpit. This is clarified by the fact that prostration here is unlike unrestricted prostration, for the imam would have to interrupt the sermon and engage in considerable movement, whereas the sunnah for the khutbah is to maintain continuity. When these two considerations conflict, the prostration ceases to be obligatory, because the reciter is already occupied with a superior act of worship: addressing the people with the sermon. Yet, were he to prostrate, it would still be permissible.

For this reason Mālik and others say, “This prostration is not recommended.” He adds, “The practice among us is that the imam does not prostrate if he recites it on the pulpit, just as he did not regard prostration as recommended in…"