Al Minah Al `Aliyyah (15)

While bowing down, the following Sunnan are to be observed :

It is Sunnah to place the palms on the knees and spread the fingers:  Abu Humaid as-Sa’idi t narrated, “I am the most knowledgeable of you about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah r.  The Messenger of Allah  r  stood up and said, ‘Allahu Akbar,’ and raised his hands, then he raised them when he said ‘Allahu Akbar’ for ruku,’ then he stood up and raised his hands and stood straight until every bone had returned to its place.”^[1] Furthermore, ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud t reported, “Allah’s Messenger r placed his hands on his knees while bowing as though he was clutching them, bending his arms like a bow and arrow and keeping them away from his ribs.”

When you bow down, it is Sunnah to keep the back straight in line with the front: This should be done as the above-mentioned hadith of Abu Humaid t  “And stood straight until every bone had returned to its place.”^[2] Namely, he would bend his back in a right angle and not taking the shape of an arch. In addition, his head should be parallel to his back, namely, it should not be higher or lower as ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated in the following hadith reported by Muslim, “When the Prophet r made ruku’, he would neither raise his head nor lower it, but keep a position between both.”^[3]

It is Sunnah to keep the arms away from the sides when bowing down:  What proves this is the hadith of ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud t who reported, “Then he bowed down, put his hands on his knees, and spread his fingers. I saw the Prophet praying like this.”^[4] However, this is on condition that the worshipper should not harm those who stand beside him/her. Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“I know that scholars agreed that it is recommended and I did not see anyone who opposed this opinion. Imam at-Tirmidhi also said that it is recommended in bowing down and prostration and that it is the opinion of the scholars in general.”^[5]

It is Sunnah to follow the adhkar that should be said in ruku.’. Therefore, after saying, “Glory to my Lord the Exalted,” some other adhakr could be said and this would include:

“O my Lord Glory to you with your praise. O God forgive me,” because of the hadith of ‘Aishah  (may Allah be pleased with her).^[6]

“Glory to the Living who does not die, All-Perfect, All-Pure, the Lord of the angels and the Spirit.”^[7]

“O Allah, it is for You that I bowed. I affirm my faith in You and I submit to You, and submit humbly before You, my hearing, my eyesight, my marrow, my bone and my sinew.”^[8]

“Glory be to the One who has the full Might, all of the Kingdom, the Pride and Greatness.” ^[9]

Thus, it is Sunnah to say as much as possible of these various adhkar during ruku.’ Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger r said, “As for ruku,’ glorify the Lord (Exalted be He).”^[10] Yet, the best thing is to stick to all of the adhkar that the Sunnah has come with, namely, that which we have already referred to.

Raising form ruku ’ and it has various Sunnan :

Prolonging this pillar: Thabit al-Banai narrated through Anas t that he said, “I shall lead you in prayer in a way that resembles the Prophet’s.” Thabit al-Banani said, “Anas was doing something that you do not do. When he would rise from ruku,’ he would stay for a while to the extent that someone might say he forgot. If he raised his head after finishing prostration, he would stay also for a while to the extent that someone might say he forgot.”^[11]

 To have diverse formulae of the phrase, “O Lord, praise is due to You” and this would include:

« اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ »

“ O Allah our Lord! Praise is due to you.” Reported by Al-Bukhari through the hadith of Abu Hurairah t.^[12]

« اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ»

“O Allah our Lord! Praise is due to You.” An agreed upon hadith through Abu Hurairah t. ^[13]

  « رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ »

“O Our Lord! And praise is due to You.” An agreed upon hadith narrated through ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her). ^[14]

« رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ » 

“O Our Lord! Praise is due to You.” Reported by Ibn Abi Shaibah through Abu Hurairah t.^[15] Thus, he can use any of the above-mentioned formulae.

It is Sunnah to mention the following adhkar after rising from bowing down:

 رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ ، مِلْءُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ ، وَمِلْءُ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ ، أَهْلُ الثَّنَاءِ وَالْمَجْدِ ، أَحَقُّ مَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ ، وَكُلُّنَا لَكَ عَبْدٌ ، اللَّهُمَّ لاَ مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ ، وَلاَ مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ ، وَلاَ يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُ

“O Allah! our Lord, to You be the praise that would fill all the heavens and the earth, and all that it pleases You besides (them). O Possessor of praise and majesty, [the truest thing a servant has said (of You)], [and we are all Your Servants]. [O Allah, none can prevent what You have willed to bestow]. And nobody can give what You hold back. Hard efforts by anyone for anything cannot benefit one against Your Will.” ^[16] The hadith is reported by Muslim through Abu Sa’id al-Khudri t .

« الْحَمْدُ للّهِ حَمْداً كَثِيراً طَيِّباً مُبَارَكاً فِيهِ»

“Praise be to Allah, much praised and blessed.” When the Messenger of Allah r finished the prayer he said: “Who amongst you uttered these words?” The people remained silent. He (the Prophet r again said): “Who amongst you uttered these words? He said nothing wrong.” Then a man said: “I came and had some difficulty in breathing, so I uttered them.” He replied: “I saw twelve angels racing one another as to who will take them up (to Allah).^[17]” The hadith is reported by Muslim through Anas t and was also reported by Al-Bukhari through Rifa’ah Ibn Rafi’ t.

اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي بِالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَالْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ , اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْوَسَخِ

“O Allah! Wash my sins from me with snow, water and hail. O Allah! Cleanse me of my sins in the manner that a white garment (is cleansed) from dirt. “^[18] This addition was reported by Muslim in the hadith of ‘Abdullah Ibn abi Awfa t. Hence, if a Muslim makes these adhkar, he/she can prolong these pillars.