Question: If an Imam recites an Ayat of Sajdah Tilawah in Taraweeh Salaah, and as soon as he recited the Ayat of Tilawah he goes into Ruku and makes intention of Sajdah Tilawah in Ruku - will this suffice for the fulfillment of the Sajdah Tilawah?

Answer: Yes, the Sajdah Tilawah of the Imam will be fulfilled.

As for the Muqtadi, it will only be fulfilled if the Muqtadi made the Niyyat for the Sajdah Tilawah in Ruku. However, if the Muqtadi did not make the Niyah for Sajdah Tilawah in Ruku then, after making Salaam with the Imam, the Muqtadi will make Sajdah and then sit in Qadah again. If the Muqtadi does not do this, his Salaah will become invalid and will have to repeat the Salaah. Hence it is not advisable for the Imam to make intention for Sajdah in Ruku.

Notwithstanding the above, if the Imam, after reciting the Sajdah Ayat goes in to Ruku and thereafter into Sajdah and in that Sajdah also makes the Niyyat of the Sajdah Tilawah then this will be valid and whether the Muqtadi made Niyyat for Sajdah Tilawah or not it will also be fulfilled on their behalf.

(و) تؤدى ( بركوع صلاة ) اذا كان الركوع (على الفور من قراءة آية ) او آيتين ، وكذا الثلاث على الظاهر ، كما في البحر ( ان نواه) : اى كون الركوع (لسجود ) التلاوة على الراجح (و) تؤدى ( بسجودها كذالك) ؛ اى على الفور (وان لم ينو ) بالاجماع . ولو نواها في ركوعه ولم ينوها المؤتم ، لم تجزه ، ويسجد اذا سلم الامام ويعيد القعدة ، ولو تركها فسدت صلاته ( تنوير الابصار مع الدر المختار ، باب سجود التلاوة ٢/١١١،١١٢، سعيد )
And Almighty Allah Knows Best
Yusuf Moosagie