Surah As-Sajda (السَّجْدَة) is the 32nd Surah of the Quran, placed in the 21st Juzz. The Arabic word Sajda can be translated as "Prostration". Sometimes it is also translated into the meaning of adoration. Name of the Surah seems to have been taken from its 15th verse, (اِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاٰيٰتِنَا الَّذِيْنَ اِذَا ذُكِّرُوْا بِہَا خَرُّوْا سُجَّدًا وَّسَبَّحُوْا بِحَمْدِ رَبِّہِمْ وَہُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُوْنَ) “Only they believe in Our revelations who, when they are reminded, bow in adoration, and give praise to their Lord, and do not become arrogant”.
Surah As-Sajda is unanimously termed as a Meccan Surah, based on its subject and theme. Some of the scholars are of the view that at least 5 verses of this surah were revealed after the migration of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to Medina. Some scholars believe verses 16 to 20 were revealed in Medina.
Some of the main theological concepts of Islam are discussed in this Surah, which include Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, the Day of Judgement, the concept of Resurrection, the revelations, the creation of human beings, and so on. In the later part of the surah, the comparison between the believers and non-believers is mentioned, like those who fall in prostration and those who turn away from the signs of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The example of the children of Israel is narrated to differentiate between believers and non-believers. The main theme of the Surah is to describe the importance of falling into prostration.
Surah As-Sajda was revealed during the earlier or, most probably, the mid-phase of the Prophet’s Meccan life. The message of Islam was in its initial stages at that point in time. The Meccans were reluctant to accept the basic concepts of Islam, such as Tauheed (Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and the Day of Judgement and Resurrection. With that background, Surah As-Sajda was revealed to draw the attention of the disbelievers towards these realities.
The first half of this surah is specifically addressed to the disbelievers of Mecca, where they are invited to think about these basic concepts. It is narrated in this part of the Surah that these are nothing new if they just think about their own creation and the administration of the earth and the heavens, and many such things around them. Then, in the later part of the Surah, the example of the children of Israel is given to testify that the Message of Islam is not new, and it was sent down to earlier nations as well.
So, the basic purpose of sending down this Surah was to get the disbelievers of Mecca to realize the significance of Tauheed, Prophethood and the Day of Judgement and the Day of Resurrection.
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On the basis of the subject and theme of the Surah As Sajda, it is a consensus among the Scholars that it was revealed during the mid-phase of the Prophet’s stay in Mecca; hence, it is considered to be a Makki Surah. Contrary to those surahs, which were revealed during the later stage of the Prophet's Meccan life, there is no mention of persecution and oppression in this Surah. Surahs revealed in the last stages of his Meccan life contain frequent mention of persecution and tyranny. Based on these facts, it is termed a Meccan Surah. However, some of the scholars are of the view that verses 16 to 20 of this Surah might have been revealed in Medina.
Surah As-Sajda appears in Juzz (para) 21. As per the order of revelation, it falls at number 75, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it is at number 32. Within Juzz 21, Surah As-Sajda comes after Surah Luqman and before Surah Al-Ahzab.
There are 30 verses in Surah As-Sajdah.
Surah As-Sajda is divided into 3 Rukus (Sections)
The revelation of Surah As-Sajda is generally related to the mid or earlier phase of Prophethood, during the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ stay in Mecca. The Surah narrates some of the basic Islamic theological concepts, like the revelations and creation of mankind and this universe. It also mentions the most important concept of resurrection and the Day of Judgement. It also refers to the Quran being a Divine revelation and words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, which form the basis of guidance for the entire mankind.
Then, by citing previous Prophets, such as the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, the similarities between the Quran and the previous Divine Books are explained so that the Meccans can understand that Divine revelation is not new and is not particular to them only.
Surah As-Sajda also differentiates between the believers and disbelievers by mentioning the fate of those who prostrate and those who do not. The significance of this Surah is evident from its content, especially with reference to the time of its revelation. At that stage, it was necessary to elaborate on the basic Islamic concepts, especially the concept of resurrection and the Day of Judgement, as the Meccans openly expressed their disbelief in these important aspects of Islam.
Surah As-Sajda begins with Muqatta’at (the mysterious words), the meanings and purpose of which are best known to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The first half of the Surah contains verses about the revelation of the Quran, categorically mentioning that it is from Allah and that the Prophet does not fabricate it. Then it is explained that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ had created this universe, including the earth and the heavens, in six spans of time. The fifth verse explains the concepts and inevitability of the Day of Judgement and Resurrection.
This is an important part of this surah, as the Meccans did not believe in the resurrection. In the next verses, the Authority and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is explained that He is All-knowing and possesses the Powers of Creation, whereas the creatures (mankind) deny the resurrection. It is evident that the One Who holds the Power to Create can also resurrect them on the Day of Judgement for accountability. Everyone will be brought in front of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, on that day, and the disbelievers will repent, but their repentance at that stage would not save them from the punishment, which they are destined for.
Going further, in the second half of the Surah, the difference between the fate of believers and disbelievers is explained. While the destiny of the disbelievers is Hell, the believers will be sent to Paradise. Believers are those who prostrate and the disbelievers are those who do not. Then the example of the children of Israel is given in the next verses, where it is established that it is not the first instance of Divine revelations, as it was also given to the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and other previous Prophets.
Overall, this Surah is a reminder for the disbelievers and a confirmation of their fate if they still do not follow the right path.
Recitation of this surah is a powerful source for strengthening one's faith in the Divine Book, Revelations, and the Day of Judgement. It also provides us an opportunity to understand the basic concepts of Islamic theology, such as belief in the Oneness, and Authority, and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the concept of rewards and punishment on the Day of Judgement, which is inevitable.
Reciting this surah and understanding its theme and subject strengthens our faith in the Quran, which is the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the ultimate source of guidance. The Quran clearly differentiates between believers and non-believers, saying that believers are those who prostrate (bow) in front of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, while disbelievers avoid doing that.
Recitation of the Quran correctly with appropriate pronunciation is a critical as well as a sensitive matter. A slight deviation from the correct accent of any of the words or letters of the Quran may entirely change their meanings. Arabic is a unique language; every word, expression, or letter has to be pronounced exactly, to keep its meaning, in accordance with the context. Any incorrect pronunciation of a word may result in entirely different connotations, which would be a glaring mistake while reciting the Quran. Reading the Quran with Tajweed is therefore crucial. Moreover, the correct recitation of the Quranic verses might be somewhat more difficult for non-Arabic-speaking people.
Listening to the recitation of an authentic Qari might help understand the correct pronunciation of the Quranic phrases. Sometimes, you may also like to just listen to the Quran, instead of reading it yourself. Hence, at MuslimandQuran, we have uploaded recitations of the entire Quran, including Surah As-Sajda, by renowned and authentic reciters (Qaris). You can navigate and select the Qari; you may prefer to listen. You just need to download the Mobile Application of MuslimandQuran to listen to the Qaris of your preference.
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Although reading the Quran is very easy on the website and mobile application of Muslim and Quran, sometimes you may like to download and print a certain part of it, such as Surah As-Sajda, for reading it later on. You can download it in PDF for reading offline or taking a print of the desired Surah. Surah As-Sajda can be downloaded in PDF by following these steps:
As-Sajda is an Arabic word that can be translated as “prostration” or “adoration.”
There are 30 verses in Surah As-Sajda.
No specific benefit is associated with the recitation of Surah As-Sajda. However, it is a powerful source of strengthening our faith in Allah, the Quran, the revelations, and the creation of mankind and the Universe, including the earth, the heavens, and hell.
It can be recited anytime during the day or night. No specific time is associated with its recitation. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ used to recite this Surah in the Fajr Prayer on Friday. Hence, it will be a better option if we can follow this Sunnah.
Yes, we can find quite a few Hadiths about this Surah, the most prominent being Hadith 891 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, where it is mentioned that the Prophet used to recite this surah in Fajr prayer on Friday.
Translation - The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the following in the Fajr prayer of Friday, "Alif, Lam, Mim, Tanzil" (Surat as- Sajda #32) and "Hal-ata-ala-l-Insani" (i.e. Surah-Ad-Dahr #76).
Yes, you can listen to it online on the Mobile Application of MuslimandQuran.
Yes, like any other verse of the Quran, the recitation of Surah As-Sajda brings huge rewards for its reciter. It is particularly beneficial to strengthen one’s faith and trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the Day of Judgement, and the concept of rewards and punishment on that day.
Anyone can get the benefits of reciting Surah As-Sajda or any other part of the Quran, as it is not language-specific. Even if you are non-Arabic speaking, you can get the same benefits as an Arabic-speaking person.