There are several places in the Noble Qur'an where prostration is indicated. Is prostration performed in every one of these places, and is it permissible to prostrate while the reciter is not in a state of ritual purity?

The questioner : The questioner, Muhammad Hasan, asks in this question: There are several places in the Noble Qur'an where prostration is indicated. Is prostration performed in every one of these places, and is it permissible to prostrate while the reciter is not in a state of ritual purity?

The Shaykh : Yes. All the prostrations in the Qur'an are places where a person prostrates when he recites them, whether he is in prayer or not. However, he does not prostrate unless he is in a state of ritual purity, as a precaution. Prostration of recitation is not obligatory; rather, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). It is established from the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), that he recited the verse of prostration while delivering the sermon to the people on Friday, so he descended and prostrated. Then he recited it on another Friday but did not prostrate, and then he said: "Allah has not made prostration obligatory upon us except that we may do it if we wish". But it is not befitting for a person to leave it if he is in a state of ritual purity. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.