What is Sajdah Tilawah?
Sajdah Tilawah refers to a prostration performed upon reciting or hearing certain verses in the Quran that mention prostration. This unique act of worship consists of a single prostration and doesn’t require tashahhud (the testimony of faith recited in prayer) or tasleem (saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah’ to conclude the prayer).
Reference: “When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, Satan withdraws, weeping and saying, ‘Woe to me! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated, so Paradise is his; I was commanded to prostrate, but I disobeyed, so Hell is mine.’”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 81)
How to Teach Sajdah Tilawah to Kids
Teaching children this beautiful act of worship can be easy and engaging by following these steps:
1. Explain the Meaning of Sajdah Tilawah
Introduce the concept in simple words: “When we read certain special verses in the Quran, we show our respect and love for Allah by putting our heads on the ground in prostration.” This helps children understand the purpose behind the action.
2. Demonstrate the Action
Children learn best by observing. Show them how to perform Sajdah Tilawah:
- Say “Allahu Akbar” (without raising hands).
- Go into sujood (prostration).
- Recite: “Subḥāna rabbī al-aʿla” (سُبْحَانَ رَبِيِّ الْأَعْلَى) three times.
- Optionally, say: “Sajada wajhiya lilladhi khalaqahu wa shaqqa samʻahu wa basarahu…” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 1414).
- Return to a sitting position, saying “Allahu Akbar” again.
3. Make It Interactive
Engage your child by using a small Quran or colorful flashcards to mark verses requiring prostration. Practice together until they feel confident.
4. Incorporate Rewards
Encourage consistent practice by rewarding your child for remembering and performing Sajdah Tilawah. Use praise, stickers, or small treats to reinforce their learning.
Verses of Prostration in the Quran
Here are some common prostration verses to teach your child:
- Surah Al-A‘raf (7:206) فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوهُ “Prostrate to Allah and worship Him.”
- Surah Ar-Ra‘d (13:15) وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ “To Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth.”
- Surah An-Nahl (16:49) وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ “To Allah bows down whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.”
- Surah Al-Isra (17:109) يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا “They fall upon their faces in prostration.”
- Surah Maryam (19:58) يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا “They fall down upon their faces, weeping and in prostration.”
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:18) أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ “Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens…”
- Surah Al-Hajj (22:77) يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا “O you who have believed, bow and prostrate…”
- Surah Al-Furqan (25:60) وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اسْجُدُوا لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ “And when it is said to them, ‘Prostrate to the Most Merciful,’ they say…”
- Surah An-Naml (27:26) اللَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ “Allah – there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne.”
- Surah As-Sajdah (32:15) إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا “Only those believe in Our verses who, when reminded of them, fall down in prostration…”
- Surah Sad (38:24) فَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ “So David became certain that We had tested him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing (in prostration)…”
- Surah Fussilat (41:37) وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ “And of His signs are the night and day, and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah…”
- Surah An-Najm (53:62) فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا “So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].”
- Surah Al-Inshiqaq (84:21) وَإِذَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقُرْآنُ لَا يَسْجُدُونَ “And when the Qur’an is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allah].”
Encourage your child to memorize these verses gradually and perform prostration when they come across them in their Quran reading.
A Gentle Invitation to Grow in Faith
Teaching children Sajdah Tilawah not only enhances their Quranic connection but also nurtures their love for Allah. If you want to enrich your child’s Islamic learning journey, explore our online Quran classes for kids designed especially for young learners. With engaging teachers and personalized lessons, your child can master the Quran with ease and joy.