Is Recitation of Qur’an Allowed in Rukū‘ and Sujūd?

Hadith of Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما​

Hadith:
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما ، قال: (كشف النبى صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم الستارة، والناس صفوف خلف أبى بكر، فقال: أيها الناس ، إنه لم يبق من مبشرات النبوة إلا الرؤيا الصالحة يراها المسلم، أو ترى له، ألا وإني نهيت أن أقرأ القرآن راكعا أو ساجدا ، فأما الركوع فعظموا فيه الرب، وأما السجود فاجتهدوا فى الدعاء فقمن أن يستجاب لكم)
Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated:
“The Prophet ﷺ lifted the curtain while the people were standing in rows behind Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. He said:
‘O people! Nothing remains of the glad tidings of Prophethood except the righteous dream which a Muslim sees or is shown.
Be aware, I have been forbidden from reciting the Qur’an in rukū‘ and sujūd.
In rukū‘, glorify your Lord; and in sujūd, strive hard in making supplications, for it is most likely that your supplications will be accepted.’”
[Sahih Muslim]

References: Muslim: 479
Book: Prohibition of Reciting Qur'an in Rukū‘ and Sujūd, vol. 2, p. 48

❖ Key Benefits and Rulings​

➊ Reciting the Qur’an in rukū‘ and sujūd is prohibited.
In rukū‘, one should glorify the greatness of the Lord, and in sujūd, one should make abundant supplications. This is a moment of closeness to Allah and a time when prayers are more likely to be accepted.

➋ Righteous dreams are a part of Prophethood, and they are related exclusively to Muslims, as the noble status of Prophethood was bestowed only upon the Ummah of Islam. Non-Muslims are deprived of this favor.

➌ Dreams can serve as a form of glad tidings, warning, or divine gift.

➍ Prophethood is sealed with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and this noble office was concluded with him. No one can receive Prophethood after him, even if they desire it.

➎ In the presence of a Prophet, no one from his followers may lead the prayer, unless explicit permission is granted by the Prophet himself.
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was honored with this privilege by the Prophet ﷺ.

➏ The residence of the Imam can be adjacent to the mosque, and it is permissible to have a window facing the mosque.
Looking into the House of Allah is not sinful, but looking into another Muslim’s home is sinful.
Placing a curtain before a door or window is Shari‘ah-compliant.

➐ If the congregation is lined up and preparing for prayer, the Imam may address them with advice or exhortation.
The concept of a substitute (acting) Imam is permissible in Islam and should ideally be someone already present in the mosque.

This content is derived from the book "Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Imām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām" by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.