Q 2: When someone is reciting the Qur'an and does Sujud-ul-Tilawah (Prostration of Recitation), should they say Takbir (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]") when prostrating and when rising up from the Sujud (prostration) or just when prostrating? Should they recite the Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the second/ last unit of Prayer) and should they say the Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer)?

A: Firstly: They should say Takbir when prostrating, as (Part No. 7; Page No. 261)  related by Abu Dawud in his Sunan (Hadith compilation classified by jurisprudential themes) on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) who said, The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite the Qur'an to us. When he came upon Ayat-ul-Sujud (Qur’anic verses of Prostration), he would say Takbir and prostrate, and we would prostrate. A Muslim should not say Takbir when rising from the Sujud, as it was not confirmed that he (peace be upon him) did so. Sujud-ul-Tilawah is an act of worship and acts of worship are Tawqifiy (bound by a religious text and not amenable to personal opinion), they are limited to what was proved in the Shari`ah texts. It was related that the Takbir is only said when going into Sujud-ul-Tilawah and not when rising from it, unless the Ayat-ul-Sujud are recited while offering Salah (prayer), then the Takbir is said when prostrating and when rising from the Sujud. There are many Sahih (authentic) Hadith that mention how the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to offer Salah, which report that he used to say Takbir when prostrating and when rising from prostration. Secondly: The Tashahhud should not be said during Sujud-ul-Tilawah nor the Taslim, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not do so. Sujud-ul-Tilawah is an act of worship and acts of worship, as was mentioned, are Tawqifiy. So you should not resort to Qiyas (analogy) and include the Taslim or Tashahhud in the Sujud-ul-Tilawah as it is in Salah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.