Surah As-Sajdah: Meaning, Verse 15 Sajdah, and the Friday Fajr Sunnah (Surah 32)

Quick answer: Surah As-Sajdah (“The Prostration”) is the 32nd surah of the Quran, a Makkan surah of 30 verses in Juz 21. It speaks about the truth of the Quran, the creation of the heavens, earth and man, the certainty of the Resurrection, and the believers who fall in prostration and rise at night to pray. Verse 15 is a verse of sajdah tilawat. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite this surah in the Fajr prayer on Fridays.

Surah As-Sajdah at a Glance

• Names: As-Sajdah (the Prostration), also known as Alif Lam Meem Tanzil
• Number: 32, in Juz 21
• Verses: 30
• Revealed in: Makkah (a few scholars say verses 16 to 20 are Madani)
• Main themes: The Quran is from Allah, creation proves His power, the Hereafter is certain, and true believers show humility

Key Verses With Transliteration and Meaning

The surah has 30 verses, so this guide gives the central passages with their meaning. Read the full surah from a printed mushaf or a trusted app next to this explanation.

Verses 1 and 2: The Quran is from the Lord of the worlds

Transliteration: Alif Laam Meem. Tanzeelul-kitaabi laa rayba feehi min rabbil-‘aalameen.

Meaning: Alif, Lam, Meem. The revelation of this Book, about which there is no doubt, is from the Lord of the worlds.

Verse 4: Creation in six days

Meaning: It is Allah who created the heavens, the earth and what is between them in six days, then rose over the Throne. You have no protector or intercessor besides Him. Will you not then remember?

Verse 15: The verse of sajdah

Meaning: Only those truly believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded of them, fall down in prostration and glorify the praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant.

Verses 16 and 17: The night prayer and the hidden reward

Transliteration: Tatajaafaa junoobuhum ‘anil-madaaji‘i yad‘oona rabbahum khawfan wa tama‘an wa mimmaa razaqnaahum yunfiqoon. Falaa ta‘lamu nafsun maa ukhfiya lahum min qurrati a‘yunin jazaa’an bimaa kaanoo ya‘maloon.

Meaning: Their sides draw away from their beds. They call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have given them. No soul knows what has been hidden for them of joy for the eyes, as a reward for what they used to do.

Verse 24: Leaders made through patience

Meaning: And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and used to be certain of Our signs.

These are plain-language meanings, not a replacement for a full translation. Read a trusted translation and tafsir alongside them.

Surah As-Sajdah on Friday: The Fajr Sunnah

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite Alif Lam Meem Tanzil As-Sajdah and Hal ata ‘alal-insan (Surah Al-Insan) in the Fajr prayer on Friday (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Many imams in Pakistan follow this sunnah, and you can also recite them at home on Friday morning. If you want other Friday recitations, read about Surah Al-Kahf on Friday.

Before Sleep: Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Al-Mulk

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited Alif Lam Meem Tanzil and Tabarakal-ladhi biyadihil-mulk (Tirmidhi). Read about the second surah in Surah Al-Mulk, and the sleeping sunnah steps are in our dua before sleeping guide.

Tafsir: The Structure of the Surah

Part 1: Defending the Quran (verses 1 to 3)

The surah opens by saying there is no doubt that the Book is from Allah. The disbelievers said the Prophet ﷺ had made it up, so Allah answers that it is the truth for warning a people to whom no warner had come before.

Part 2: Signs in creation and in the human being (verses 4 to 9)

Allah describes creation in six days, the first creation of man from clay and then his descent from a drop of fluid, and the breathing of the soul into him. The reminder is that hearing, sight and understanding are gifts, yet few give thanks.

Part 3: Denying the Resurrection (verses 10 to 14)

The deniers asked whether they would be recreated after they became lost in the earth. The answer is that the Angel of Death takes their souls and they will be returned to their Lord, standing with their heads bowed in shame.

Part 4: The believers who prostrate (verses 15 to 22)

The central passage describes two groups. The believers fall in prostration, leave their beds at night for dua, and spend in charity. The transgressors are warned of the fire. Verse 17 is often quoted for the idea that the reward of Paradise is beyond our knowledge.

Part 5: Musa, patience and the lessons of the past (verses 23 to 30)

Allah reminds the Prophet ﷺ of the Book given to Musa, notes that leaders were made from Bani Israel when they were patient, and warns by pointing to the ruins of earlier nations. The surah ends by telling the Prophet ﷺ to turn away from the deniers and wait.

The Sajdah Tilawat in Verse 15

When you read or hear this verse, you perform one prostration of recitation (sajdah tilawat). The Hanafi school, which most Muslims in Pakistan follow, holds it to be wajib. Most other schools consider it a strongly recommended sunnah. Ask your imam for the steps if you are unsure, including whether wudu is needed and how to say the takbir.

A reported dua in this sajdah, narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) in Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ahmad, is:

Meaning: My face has prostrated to the One who created it and opened its hearing and sight by His power and strength.

Lessons From Surah As-Sajdah

• Humility is the sign of belief. Verse 15 describes believers as people who do not act arrogantly.
• Make time for the night. Verse 16 praises those who leave their beds to pray. Read about Tahajjud.
• Patience and certainty build leaders. See the power of sabr.
• Spend in charity. The same verse links dua with giving, as in sadaqah.
• Think about the Hereafter. See Qiyamah.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many verses does Surah As-Sajdah have?

Thirty verses.

Is Surah As-Sajdah Makkan or Madani?

Makkan, according to most scholars.

Which verse of Surah As-Sajdah has the sajdah?

Verse 15.

Which Juz is Surah As-Sajdah in?

Juz 21.

What is the benefit of reciting Surah As-Sajdah?

The authentic reports mention reciting it in Fajr on Friday and reciting it with Surah Al-Mulk before sleeping. No authentic hadith gives a special wazifa for wishes, so be careful with claims of that kind.

Conclusion

Surah As-Sajdah shows what true belief looks like: humility before the Quran, prayer at night, giving in charity and patience. Read it with its meaning this Friday and the next, and teach your family when to make the sajdah of recitation.

Continue with Surah An-Naba, Surah Alam Nashrah and Surah Ad-Duha, or find a gathering near you on our Islamic events page.

Please confirm the Arabic text and rulings with a qualified scholar or a printed mushaf.