Is the prostration in Surah Sad (S) considered an obligatory prostration of recitation?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
According to the first narration, the prostration in Sad is not among the obligatory prostrations of recitation. This is the opinion of 'Alqamah and Al-Shafi'i, and it is narrated from Ibn Abbas and Ibn Mas'ud. Evidence for performance as Sunnah is found in the narration from Abu Hurairah who prostrated when reciting {Idha as-Sama'unshaqqat} and {Iqra' bismi Rabbik} with the Prophet (PBUH), and the narration that when the Prophet (PBUH) recited Surah An-Najm, he prostrated and everyone present prostrated with him. The report concerning Abu Hurairah being a later Muslim in Medina (Year 7) makes his narration preferable to that of Ibn Abbas, as evidence of affirmation is preferred over evidence of omission.
Supporting text
The second narration states that the prostration in Sad is among the obligatory ones. This is the view of Al-Hasan, Malik, Al-Awza'i, Ishaq, and the People of Reason (Ashab ar-Ra'y), based on the Hadith of Amr ibn al-As. It is also narrated from Umar, his son, and Uthman that they used to prostrate in it. Ibn Abbas also narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) prostrated in Sad. The Hadith of Abu Al-Darda' indicates that he prostrated in it. Evidence supporting this view is the narration that the Prophet (PBUH) prostrated in Sad, stating that David prostrated in it out of repentance, and the community prostrates in gratitude, implying it is a valid prescribed prostration.