The Conditions and Ruling of Prostration for Recitation for the Teacher and the Students

Question:
The questioner says: Shaykh, when does the prostration of recitation occur, and what is its criterion? If I am in my office or I am teaching the students and I recite for them a verse that contains a prostration, do I prostrate, and do the students prostrate with me?

Answer:
It occurs when you recite a verse that contains a prostration from the verses in the Qur'an that contain a prostration. There are fourteen known prostrations, clearly indicated and explained in the mushaf. If you come upon them while you are reciting the Qur'an, you prostrate. As for the teacher, his work is not recitation; rather, it is teaching. Therefore, prostration is not prescribed for him, nor for the students who are studying the verse or the Qur'an. They do not prostrate when the prostration verse is recited; it is not prescribed for them. However, if they do prostrate, there is no harm in that. Likewise, if a person repeats the prostration verse while reciting the Qur'an and repeats the prostration verse, he does not repeat the prostration; the first time is sufficient.