Some people offer a two-rak‘ah prayer, intending it as a prayer of gratitude. Kindly explain the difference between the prostration of gratitude and the prayer of gratitude.

The prostration of gratitude (sujud al-shukr) is a single prostration performed upon receiving a blessing, whether for oneself or another Muslim, or upon the removal of a calamity from oneself or a fellow Muslim. It is an expression of gratitude, praise, and devotion to Allah, and it is legislated as an act of drawing close to Allah Almighty.

Though this prostration is prescribed upon the occurrence of a blessing, it is even better to perform an act that entails greater virtue and reward, such as giving charity or offering prayer. Neither of these acts should be termed " of gratitude," and there is no such prayer in Islam. However, it is recommended to perform the prostration of gratitude or its equivalent, such as prayer, charity, or other acts of worship.

 

The prostration of gratitude: Its manner, cause, and evidences

As stated above, the prostration of gratitude is a single prostration that a Muslim performs upon receiving a blessing or upon the removal of a calamity. Allah Almighty has commanded His servants to express gratitude to Him for His abundant blessings. In the Quran, Allah brackets remembrance (dhikr) with gratitude, despite the lofty status accorded to remembrance. He says, “So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me” (Quran, 2:152).

Allah has promised to reward the grateful among His believers with salvation and the best recompense saying, “Why should Allah punish you if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allah Appreciative and Knowing” (Quran, 4:147), “And We will reward the grateful” (Quran, 3:145), and “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]” (Quran, 14:7).

Evidence

1. Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would prostrate in gratitude to Allah Almighty whenever something occurred that pleased him (recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah).
2.  ‘Abdul-Rahman ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once went out toward the property he had endowed for the benefit of the poor, faced the qiblah, and fell into prostration for a long time. Afterwards, when asked about it, he explained that Jibril had come to him with the message that Allah would bestow His blessings upon those who invoked blessings upon him and greet with peace those who greeted him with peace. He added that he had therefore prostrated in gratitude to Allah (recorded in the Musand of Imam Ahmad).
3. Sa’d ibn Abu Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that while traveling from Mecca to Medina, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stopped near ‘Arwaza, raised his hands in supplication, then fell into prostration for a long time. He repeated this twice before explaining that Allah had accepted his intercession on behalf of his Ummah by granting him intercession for a third of his Ummah.  He therefore prostrated to his Lord in gratitude. He then supplicated again, and after Allah granted him intercession for another third, he prostrated again in gratitude (recorded by Abu Dawud).

 

Based on the above narrations and others, scholars from the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools of jurisprudence, together with Muhammad and Abu Yusuf from the Hanafi school maintained that the prostration of gratitude is a recommended sunnah. In contrast, the Maliki school generally considers it disliked.[1]

And Allah Almighty knows best.