[Q 358] Sajdat-ul-Shukr Method and Conditions

Question

How is Sajdah Shukr performed, and is being in a state of Wudu and facing the Qiblah a requirement for it?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

When a blessing is received, joy experienced, or a tribulation removed, one ought to express gratitude to Allah Almighty. To prostrate out of gratitude in such moments is called Sajdat-ul-Shukr.

The Sunnah (Prophetic) way of doing Sajdat-ul-Shukr is to stand, in a state of Wudu, with the intention of doing Sajdat-ul-Shukr, facing the Qiblah, saying Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and then going into Sajdah (prostration). As one is in Sajdah, one ought to recite words of glorification and praise (Tasbih & Hamd), and then rise from Sajdah saying the Takbir again.

Both instances of standing (in the beginning and in the end) are Mustahab (recommended).

In short, the method for Sajdat-ul-Shukr is the same as for Sajdat-ul-Tilawah.

For Sajdat-ul-Shukr to be valid, just as is the case for Sajdat-ul-Tilawah, these conditions of Salah/Namaz (prayer) must be fulfilled:

(1) One must be in a state of both physical and ritual purification (Haqiqiyy & Hukmiyy); one’s body, clothes, and place must be clear of filth, and the person must be in a state of Wudu or Ghusl.

(2) One must cover their private parts as dictated by Islamic Law.

(3) One must face the Qiblah.

(4) Intention.

If any of these conditions are not met, Sajdat-ul-Shukr will not be valid.

Therefore, if someone performs this Sajdah without being in a state of Wudu or without facing the Qiblah, their Sajdah will not be valid.

Since Sajdat-ul-Shukr is not Wajib (mandatory), but rather is Nafl (voluntary), it is Makruh (disliked) to perform it during the times when it is Makruh to perform Nafl prayers.

References:

The method for Sajdat-ul-Shukr is the same as Sajdat-ul-Tilawah:

In Radd al-Muhtar, Allamah Ibn Abidin رحمه الله details Sajdat-ul-Shukr:

وهي لمن تجددت عنده نعمة ظاهرة أو رزقه الله تعالى مالا أو ولدا أو اندفعت عنه نقمة ونحو ذلك، يستحب له أن يسجد لله تعالى شكرا مستقبلا القبلة يحمد الله تعالى فيها ويسبحه ثم يكبر فيرفع رأسه كما في سجدة التلاوة

(Radd al-Muhtar, Vol. 2, Pg. 720, Quetta)

In Maraqi al-Falah, while explaining the method of Sajdat-ul-Shukr, it is stated:

وهيئتها أن يكبر مستقبل القبلة ويسجد، فيحمد الله ويشكر ويسبح ثم يكبر فيرفع رأسه مثل سجدة التلاوة بشروطها

(Hashiyah al-Tahtawiyy ala Maraqi al-Falah, Vol. 2, Pg. 106, Karachi)

Mufti Amjad Ali Aazmi رحمه الله mentions in Bahar-e-Shariat:

“Sajdah Shukr is recommended for any blessing, e.g., when a child is born, wealth is gained, a lost item is found, a sick person recovered, or a traveler returned. The method for this prostration is the same as for Sajdah Tilawat.”

(Bahar-e-Shariat, Vol. 1, Pg. 734, Maktabat-ul-Madina, Karachi)

In Maraqi al-Falah, while stating the conditions for Sajdat-ul-Tilawah, it is mentioned:

وشروط لصحتها أن تكون شروط الصلاة، موجودة في الساجد وهي الطهارة من الحدث والخبث وستر العورة واستقبال القبلة وتحريها عند الاشتباه والنية إلا التحريمة

(Hashiyat-ul-Tahtawiyy ala Maraqi al-Falah, Vol. 2, Pg. 110, Karachi)

In Halbah al-Majalli, it is stated:

شرائط جوازها ما هو شرائط جواز الصلاة من الطهارة من الأحداث والأنجاس بدنا ثوبا ومكانا وستر العورة واستقبال القبلة حالة الاختيار وجهة التحري حالة الاشتباه

(Halbat-ul-Majalli, Vol. 1, Pg. 590, Beirut)

Since Sajdat-ul-Shukr is Nafl, it is Makruh to perform it during the times when Nafl prayers are Makruh.

In Hashiyat-ul-Tahtawiyy ala Maraqi al-Falah, it is stated:

سجدة الشكر تكره في وقت يكره النفل فيه لا في غيره

(Hashiyat-ul-Tahtawiyy ala Maraqi al-Falah, Vol. 1, Pg. 260, Karachi)

Regarding performing Sajdah Shukr during makruh times, it is mentioned in Radd al-Muhtar:

فتحصل من كلام النهر مع كلام القنية أنها تصح مع الكراهة لأنها في حكم النافلة

(Radd al-Muhtar, Vol. 2, Pg. 38, Quetta)

Answered By: Mufti Sajid Attari 

Translated Answer

Date: 16th September, 2024