All praise is due to Allah:
Firstly, the ruling regarding prostration of recitation differs among the schools of thought. The majority of the Māliki, Shāfiʽi, and Ḥanbali schools of thought consider it to be a recommended act (Sunnah). The Ḥanafi school of thought considers it to be obligatory although they held that it does not have to be done immediately. This means that if one delays it, it is permissible and not sinful. The Ḥanafi school of thought based their view on the general command to prostrate and the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him), “The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated.” The majority, on the other hand, based their view on the practice of ʽUmar in the Friday sermon and the presence of the companions that he recited a verse of prostration in one Friday sermon and prostrated, and in another Friday sermon he recited it but did not prostrate and no one objected to him.
Secondly, the ruling regarding prostration of recitation during prayer is the same as outside of it, as it is a recommended act according to the majority of the schools of thought. The Ḥanbali and Shāfiʽi schools of thought consider it to be a confirmed Sunnah, while the Māliki school of thought considers it to be either a Sunnah or a virtuous act. However, some Māliki scholars disliked intentionally reciting a verse of prostration during the prayer because it adds an extra prostration to the prayer. The Ḥanafi school of thought considers it to be obligatory, but they permit combining it with the original prostration in the prayer by intending to perform the prostration of recitation along with the original prostration in the prayer.
Thirdly, the ruling regarding prostration of recitation when reading the Quran is the same as mentioned above, except that if one is reciting from memory without being on the state of ablution, the Ḥanafi school of thought considers it obligatory to delay it until they perform ablution. The Shāfiʽi school of thought suggests replacing it with saying “Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ʼilāha ʼillā Allāh, Allāhu ʼAkbar, and Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata ʼillā bi Allāh” instead.
Fourthly, regarding prostration of recitation during disliked times of performing voluntary prayers, scholars differ. The Ḥanafi school of thought and the correct view of the Ḥanbali school of thought is that there is no prostration of recitation during the times in which voluntary prayers are disliked, such as after Fajr until the sun has risen, and after ʽAṣr until the sun has set. Al-Bukhāriy narrated from Abī Saʽīd al-Khudiry, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There is no prayer to be performed after Fajr until the sun has risen, and no prayer to be performed after ʽAṣr until the sun has set.” The Shāfiʽi and Māliki schools of thought, and a narration from ʼAḥmad, consider it permissible to perform prostration of recitation during these times, resembling the prayers that have special causes.
Allāh knows best.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr