Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The portion from Surah Qaf or Surah Hujurat to the end of the Noble Qur’an is called “Mufassal.” From this hadith, it cannot be deduced that there is absolutely no prostration of recitation (sajdah al-tilawah) in Surah Najm or in the Mufassal surahs, because from the ahadith of the next chapter, it is established that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam performed sajdah in Surah Najm. However, from the hadith of this chapter, it is correct to deduce that the prostration of recitation can also be omitted; this means that the sajdah is neither obligatory (fard) nor necessary (wajib). In this regard, an action of Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu is also noteworthy: once, on a Friday, he recited Surah al-Nahl on the pulpit, and when he reached the verse of sajdah, he descended and performed sajdah, and the people also performed sajdah. In the next Friday sermon, he again recited the same surah, and when he reached the verse of sajdah, he said: “O people! Indeed, we have not been commanded to perform these prostrations, so whoever performed sajdah has done the right thing, and whoever did not perform sajdah, there is no sin upon him.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1077)