Darulifta Ahlesunnat (Dawateislami)
Question
What do the scholars of Islam and the jurists of the sacred law state regarding the following matter: If a minor recites or hears a verse of prostration (āyat al-sajdah), does the prostration of recitation (sajdat al-tilāwah) become incumbent upon them?
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
According to Islamic law, the prostration of recitation becomes obligatory on a person who is legally liable to perform the obligatory or missed (qaḍā) prayers. If they are not legally liable to pray, the prostration of recitation is not compulsory for them.
Accordingly, since a minor is not legally liable to perform obligatory prayers, if they recite or hear a verse of prostration, the prostration of recitation is not compulsory upon them. However, if an adult of sound mind, who is legally required to pray, hears the verse of prostration from a minor, the performing a prostration of recitation becomes necessary for that adult.
It should be noted that although the prostration of recitation is not compulsory for minors upon reciting or hearing the verse, they should still be encouraged to perform it so that they develop a habit and continue to perform the prostration of recitation when they grow up.
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم
(Allah Almighty knows best and His Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَ اٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم knows best.)
Answered By: Mufti Fuzail Raza Attari
Date: Islamic Magazine Faizan e Madina October 2025