The prostration of gratitude: method, wording and conditions

The prostration of gratitude: how to do it, what to say, its conditions, and how it differs from the prostration of recitation

The prostration of gratitude is a single prostration performed when a pleasing blessing arrives or a harm is averted.

Its basis in the sunnah

Abu Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that whenever something pleasing came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, or he was given good news, he fell into prostration. Reported by Abu Dawud (2774), al-Tirmidhi (1578) and Ibn Majah (1394), graded acceptable.

In the hadith of Kaab ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, when he was given the good news that his repentance was accepted, he prostrated. It is in Sahih al-Bukhari (4418). These two texts make the prostration a known practice upon good news, not a later invention.

Step by step

When the blessing or the deliverance reaches you, turn aside and prostrate directly on the ground.
Say the takbir as you go down, according to those who hold this; omitting it does not invalidate it.
Make one prostration, not two.
Say in it "Glory be to my Lord, the Most High" as in the prayer, then praise Allah and supplicate as you wish.
Rise without a closing salam. It is not a prayer and has no salam.
There is no tashahhud, no recitation and no bowing.

What is said in it

No specific wording is established for it. What is prescribed is the glorification, praise and supplication said in the prostration of prayer. Among the best things to say is the supplication of Sulayman, peace be upon him:

Surah An-Naml 27:40

Verified recitation

Open surah

قَالَ ٱلَّذِى عِندَهُۥ عِلْمٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسْتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّۭ كَرِيمٌۭ

This is from the favour of my Lord, to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful

A blessing is a test, not merely a gift, and the prostration is an admission that the favour is from Allah alone rather than from one's own capability.

Surah Ibrahim 14:7

Verified recitation

Open surah

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ

If you are grateful, I will surely increase you

This verse explains why the prostration was prescribed upon blessings: gratitude is a cause for a blessing to remain and grow.

The supplication

O Allah, help me to remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You well.

Reported by Abu Dawud (1522) and al-Nasai (1303). It is among the most fitting ways to close the prostration, because it asks for help with gratitude itself.

Frequently discussed points

Point	Detail
Is wudu required	The majority of jurists require purity as in prayer; Ibn Taymiyyah and others held it is not required since this is not a prayer. Perform wudu if you can, and do not let the prostration pass if you cannot
Facing the qiblah	Preferable, and not a condition for those who do not classify it as a prayer
Covering	Required in general, with regard for the situation and the presence of people
Number	One prostration only
Closing salam	It has none
Its time	Immediately upon the blessing or the news, not delayed without reason
Can it be made up later	No, once the moment has passed; replace it with praise and thanks
Prostrating in public	If showing off is feared, step aside; the sunnah is not abandoned out of blameworthy embarrassment
Doing it as an organised group act	Not established as a collective ritual; each person prostrates upon his own good news

How it differs from other prostrations

Aspect	Gratitude	Recitation	Within prayer
Cause	A blessing or deliverance	Passing a verse of prostration	Part of the prayer itself
Number	One	One	Two per unit
Place	Outside the prayer	At the verse, inside or outside the prayer	Inside the prayer
Salam	None	None outside the prayer	Included in the prayer's salam
Inside the prayer	Not prescribed	Prescribed	Its core

There is no established "prayer of thanks" with a fixed number of units under a reported name. Whoever wishes to thank Allah with prayer may pray a voluntary prayer without an invented title; whoever wishes to ask for a need should see the prayer of need.

Gratitude also includes

Speaking the praise and mentioning the blessing as thanks, not as boasting.
Putting the blessing to work in obedience: wealth in charity, knowledge in teaching, health in action. See the zakat calculator.
Keeping a steady portion of remembrance on the tasbih counter, with texts on the adhkar page.
Following good news with a prostration and with recitation; begin from the Quran.

Frequently asked

Is it obligatory? No, it is a recommended sunnah when its cause occurs.
On a prayer mat or on the ground? Whichever is available; there is no difference.
Do I prostrate for success, a job, or recovery? Yes, all of these are pleasing news.
What if I am not in a state of wudu and have no water? Prostrate according to the difference mentioned above, say the praise, and do not let the gratitude pass without effect.
Should I combine the prostration with charity? That is among the best forms of gratitude: the prostration is the word of the heart and body, charity is its effect among people.

Two practical steps

At the next blessing you receive today, however small, make one prostration, say "Glory be to my Lord, the Most High", then praise Allah aloud.
Choose one act that puts the blessing to work this week: charity, teaching someone, or a steady portion of recitation from the khatma plan.