Title: How Many Sajdahs (Prostrations)are in the Qur'an? Question: While reciting quraan how many time sajdha comes-bowing-sujuoodh Answer: Generally speaking, there are 14 places in the Qur'an where the sajdah (prostration) is mentioned: Indeed, those who are near your Lord are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, and they exalt Him, and to Him they prostrate. - Al Araf 7:206 And to Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows [as well] in the mornings and the afternoons. - Al Ra'd 13:15 And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures, and the angels [as well], and they are not arrogant. - Al Nahl 16:49 And they fall upon their faces weeping, and the Qur'an increases them in humble submission. - Al Isra' 17:109 Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping. - Maryam 19:58 Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allah does what He wills. - Al Hajj 22:18 And when it is said to them, "Prostrate to the Most Merciful," they say, "And what is the Most Merciful? Should we prostrate to that which you order us?" And it increases them in aversion. - Al Furqan 25:60 [And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare - Al Naml 27:25 Only those believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant. - Al Sajdah 32:15 [David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah]. - Saad 38:24 But if they are arrogant - then those who are near your Lord exalt Him by night and by day, and they do not become weary. - Fussilat 41:38 So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him]. - Al Najm 53:62 And when the Qur'an is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allah]? - Al Inshiqaq 84:21 No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah]. - Al 'Alaq 96:19 The aforementioned verses are the most widely agreed upon in regards to indicators for prostration. There is another verse which Imam Shafi'i considered a fifteenth: O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed. - Al Hajj 22:77 It is important to take note of Imam Malik's position that there are only eleven Sajdah al-Tilawah (Recitation of Prostration). Thus, it is evident that there are slight variances in the opinions of the great scholars regarding this matter. Moreover, there are ahadith that state there were times that Prophet did not prostrate when one of these verses were recited: Narrated Zaid bin Thabit: I recited An-Najm before the Prophet, yet he did not perform a prostration. - Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 2, Book 19, Number 179 We cannot formulate a sound opinion of this hadith due to the scant information given. Any number of reasons could have caused the Prophet not to prostrate at that moment and conjecturing would be futile. Nevertheless, it is our understanding that it was a response of the Prophet (pbuh) while reciting the Qur'an, but not an obligatory religious practice. It should be appreciated that when the verses are recited our physical prostration is a symbolic response to the Qur'an, and in effect to God, that we recognize our Lord; we worship Him; we obey and are of His followers completely submitting ourselves to His will. The Qur'an speaks to us and we respond to it spiritually. The communication is for those want to approach the Almighty and strengthen their bond with Him, showing their willingness to dedicate themselves to the righteous path. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan January 12, 2008