What are the prerequisites for performing the prostration of recitation?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The prostration of recitation requires the same prerequisites as voluntary (nafl) prayer: both ritual purifications from major and minor states of impurity, covering of the 'awrah (intimate parts), facing the Qibla, and forming the intention (niyyah). There is no known disagreement on these requirements.
Supporting text
An exception is narrated concerning Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, who stated that a menstruating woman hearing the prostration verse should indicate it with her head and say, "O Allah, to You I have prostrated." Al-Sha'bi held that one who hears the verse without ablution should prostrate wherever their face is directed. The ruling is based on the Hadith stating, "Allah does not accept prayer without purification," which encompasses prostration, as prostration is considered a type of prayer.