Chapter: The Prostration of Recitation
There are fourteen places in the Quran where a prostration of recitation is prescribed: the end of al-Aʿrāf; in al-Raʿd; al-Naḥl; Banī Isrāʾīl (al-Isrāʾ); Maryam; the first occurrence in al-Ḥajj; al-Furqān; al-Naml; ʾAlif-Lām-Mīm Tanzīl (al-Sajda); Ṣād; Ḥā-Mīm al-Sajda (Fussilat); “When the sky is split asunder” (al-Inshiqāq); and “Recite, in the name of your Lord” (al-ʿAlaq).
Performing the prostration is obligatory at every one of these points for both the reciter and the listener, whether the listener meant to hear the Quran or not. When the imam recites a verse of prostration, he prostrates and the congregation prostrates with him. If a member of the congregation is the one who recites it, neither he nor the imam prostrates.
Should those praying hear a verse of prostration recited by someone who is not part of their prayer, they do not perform the prostration within the prayer; they perform it after they finish. If they were to prostrate during the prayer, it would not fulfill the obligation and their prayer would be invalid.
If a person recites a verse of prostration but does not prostrate until he enters the prayer, then recites it again and prostrates, that single prostration covers both recitations. Conversely, if he recites it outside the prayer and performs the prostration, then enters the prayer and recites it again, he must prostrate once more; the first prostration does not suffice.
Whoever repeats the same verse requiring prostration several times in one sitting is absolved by a single prostration.
To perform the prostration, one pronounces the takbīr without raising the hands, prostrates, then says takbīr again while raising the head. There is no tashahhud or salām attached to it.