Surah As-Sajdah: meaning, themes and the Friday sunnah
Surah As-Sajdah (“The Prostration”), the 32nd surah, is a Makki surah of 30 verses about creation, resurrection and the believers who fall in prostration when they hear Allah’s verses. The Prophet ﷺ recited it in Friday Fajr and before sleeping. Here is its message, section by section.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
The opening verses
الٓمٓ ﴿١﴾ تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ ۚ بَلْ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًۭا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ ﴿٣﴾
The surah, section by section
| Verses | Section | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | The Book without doubt | The revelation is from the Lord of the worlds, a warning to a people who had none before. |
| 4–9 | Creation | The heavens and earth in six days; the human being created from clay, then given hearing, sight and hearts. |
| 10–14 | Resurrection and regret | The deniers ask how they can be raised; on the Day they will bow their heads and ask to be sent back. |
| 15–17 | The believers | Those who fall in prostration when reminded (15), who leave their beds to call on their Lord (16), and for whom comfort is hidden that no soul knows (17). |
| 18–22 | Not equal | The believer and the defiant sinner are not alike in reward. |
| 23–30 | Musa and the call to reflect | The Book given to Musa; leaders who guided with patience and certainty; signs in rain and crops. |
The believers who rise at night
تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًۭا وَطَمَعًۭا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿١٦﴾
Verse 16 describes night prayer, and verse 17 says no soul knows the comfort kept hidden for them as a reward. It pairs naturally with Surah Al-Muzzammil, which commands it.
The prostration at verse 15
The surah takes its name from verse 15, which describes believers falling down in prostration when reminded of the verses, and it is one of the fifteen places of prostration marked in the mushaf. How to perform it, and the full list, are in our guide to sajdah in the Quran.
A Friday and bedtime sunnah
Reciting As-Sajdah in Fajr on Friday, and with Surah Al-Mulk before sleeping, are well-known sunnahs. At 30 verses it is a realistic memorisation goal; see how to memorise the Quran, or memorise it with a teacher in our online hifz course. Other surahs: all 114 surahs.
Frequently asked questions
When is Surah As-Sajdah recited?
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite As-Sajdah and Al-Insan in the Fajr prayer on Fridays (Sahih al-Bukhari 891, Sahih Muslim 880), and it is reported that he would not sleep until he had recited As-Sajdah and Al-Mulk (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 2892).
Where is the prostration in Surah As-Sajdah?
At verse 15. When you reach it, make the prostration of recitation. All fifteen places are listed in our guide to sajdah in the Quran.
How many verses are in Surah As-Sajdah?
30 verses, on pages 415 to 417 of the Madinah mushaf, in juz 21. It is a Makki surah.
Is Surah As-Sajdah the same as "Alif Lam Mim Tanzil"?
Yes. The hadith often name it by its opening words, Alif Lam Mim Tanzil, to tell it apart from Surah Fussilat, which is sometimes also called Ha Mim As-Sajdah.
Memorise As-Sajdah for Friday Fajr
Three free one-to-one lessons in UK time, with every verse checked.