Question:-
Is Wudhu required to perform Sajdah-e-Shukr?
Is Sajda-e-Shukr Sunnah?
At which times are we prohibited from Sajdah-e-Shukr?
Is there a particular method of performing it?
Answer:-
The jurists have written that the ruling that applies to Sajdah-e-Tilaawat applies to Sajdah-e-Shukr as well. It is necessary to perform Sajdah-e-Tilaawat in a state of Wudhu, thus performing Sajdah-e-Shukr in a state of Wudhu will also be necessary. [Re:- Thamaratun Najah Pg.56 Vol.2]
If referring to Sajdah-e-Shukr as Sunnah because Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam also performed Sajdah-e-Shukr, then this is correct as this is proven in Abu Daud Sharif (Hadith no. 2774) and Tirmidhi Sharif (Hadith no. 1578).
Sajdah-e-Tilaawat should not be performed at the time of sunrise, Zawaal and sunset. However, it may be performed after Fajr until sunrise, and after Asr until the colour of the sun turns pale, which is estimated to be approximately 20 min prior to sunset. The same ruling will also apply to Sajdah-e-Shukr.
Notwithstanding the above, Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Hassan Saheb Gangohi Rahimahullah has written in Fataawa Mahmoodiyya that, when blessed with a bounty or protected from some calamity, then it is preferable to perform two Rakaats of Salaah in gratitude to Allah Ta’ala, and if this is not possible (for some reason), then merely sufficing on Sajda-e-Shukr is also acceptable and, in fact, Mustahab according to the jurists, with the proviso that the Sajda should not be made immediately after Salaah, as there is a possibility of people considering the said Sajdah as Waajib or Masnoon (which is not the case). [Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyya Pg.138 Vol.12] The Sajdah-e-Shukr should therefore be performed (perhaps at a later stage) individually, and not after Salaah as explained above.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 13 Rajab 1443 / 15 February 2022
