Intending the Sajdah Tilaawah when Performing Ruku or Sajdah

Q: Salaah-462: After reciting a verse of Sajdah Tilaawah from Surah A'raaf, the Imaam proceeded into Ruku without performing the Sajdah Tilaawah. When he was asked after the salaah, he replied that performing Ruku or Sajdah with the intention of Sajdah Tilaawah suffices for the Sajdah Tilaawah. Is this true?

Answer: A method of performing the Sajdah Tilaawah in salaah is to make the intention of Sajdah Tilaawah when proceeding for the Ruku, in which case the Ruku will suffice as Sajdah Tilaawah. This must however be done immediately after reciting the Sajdah Tilaawah verse or after reciting only one or two short verses thereafter. If one does not make the intention when proceeding for Ruku, the Sajdah will suffice as Sajdah Tilaawah whether the intention was made or not.

However, if the Muqtadis do not make the intention when proceeding for Ruku, their Sajdah Tilaawah will not be made. It is therefore best for the Imaam not to make the intention of Sajdah Tilaawah when proceeding for Ruku so that his Sajdah Tilaawah as well as those of the Muqtadis may be made when they all make Sajdah.

If the Muqtadis in the above case also made the intention Sajdah Tilaawah when proceeding for Ruku, their Sajdah Tilaawah would be made, otherwise not. If he did not, all of them will have their Sajdah Tilaawah done in the Sajdah (on condition that the Imaam did not recite three or more short verses after the Sajdah Tilaawah verse). However, because people are generally unaware of this ruling, it is best for the Imaam to perform the Sajdah Tilaawah by itself. If the Imaam wishes to practice on this manner of performing the Sajdah Tilaawah, he should first educate the Muqtadis accordingly. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2