Rulings Regarding Prayer- Sajdah- Part 2
One of the obligatory acts of sajdah is the dhikr of sajdah, which must be recited. Based on obligatory precaution, the dhikr of sajdah is as follows: "سبحان الله",which must be recited at least three times or "سبحان ربی الاعلی و بحمده",which must be recited once. However, the more this dhikr is recited the better (three times, five times, seven times, nine times or eleven times)
In sajdah, it is permissible for one to add other du'ās or dhikrs with the intention of Istihbāb (desirability), but reciting the Quran in sajdah is abominable.
While reciting the obligatory dhikr as well as the recommended dhikrs that are recited with the intention of dhikr of sajdah, the body must stay still in the same way when the dhikr of rukū' is being recited.
That is why if one starts reciting the dhikr intentionally before going in to sajdah, or if one raises their forehead from sajdah before the dhikr is completed, their prayer is invalidated. But reciting the dhikr while moving, if done inadvertently, does not invalidate the prayer; however, if the forehead has not been still raised from the ground, the dhikr must be recited again.
That is why performing sajdah on a soft mattress which is moving and therefore prevents the body from remaining still is problematic. But provided that the body becomes still, sajdah is correct.
It should be noted that the stillness of the body is necessary for obligatory and recommended dhikrs recited in different parts of prayer, however general dhikrs that may be recited in any part of the prayer does not require the body to be at rest.
In next episodes, we will go on to explain the rest of issues pertaining to sajdah and how to perform it.