Ruku, Sajdah And Tashahhud

The Pillars of Movement and Supplication in Salah

Once the recitation of the Quran is complete, the physical journey of humility begins. Every movement in Salah—from bowing to prostration to the final sitting—is governed by the principle of Tuma'ninah (Stillness). The Prophet ﷺ saw a man rushing his prayer like a pecking bird and commanded him to repeat it, establishing that stillness in every posture is a Fard (obligatory) pillar (Sahih Bukhari, 793).

Let us review the exact Prophetic method, elevating our practice above sectarian restrictions by relying entirely on authentic evidence.

1. The Tasbih in Ruku'

While bowing, it is Sunnah to recite at least three times:

2. Rising from Ruku'

As you rise, the Imam and the one praying alone say:

1. The Seven Bones of Sajdah

Say Allahu Akbar and descend. You must firmly press seven body parts to the ground. If any are lifted intentionally, the Sajdah is invalid.

The Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: "I have been ordered to prostrate on seven bones: the forehead (and he pointed to his nose), both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet." (Sahih Bukhari, 812).

While in Sajdah, recite at least three times:

2. Sitting Between Prostrations (Jalsah)

You must sit up completely and achieve stillness before the second Sajdah. The Sunnah supplication here is:

1. The Words of Tashahhud

The most authentic wording, taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Ibn Mas'ud:

2. The Gesture of the Index Finger

• The Claim: Some schools dictate raising the finger specifically at "la ilaha" and dropping it at "illallah".
• The Sunnah: There is no authentic Hadith restricting the movement to those two specific words. The Companion Wa'il bin Hujr observed the Prophet ﷺ and reported: "He curled his fingers and pointed with his index finger, and I saw him moving it, supplicating with it." (Sunan an-Nasa'i, 1268; Authentic).
• The Perspective: The Sunnah is to keep the finger pointed toward the Qiblah throughout the entire Tashahhud, slightly moving it as you supplicate, keeping your eyes fixed upon it.

3. The Blessings on the Prophet (Durood Ibrahim)

Recited in the final sitting:

The Salam

Turn your head to the right, then the left, saying for each:

1. Timing of the Qunut

• The Claim: It must be recited before Ruku'.
• The Sunnah: Authentic Hadith prove the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions recited Qunut both before Ruku' (Sunan Ibn Majah, 1182) and after rising from Ruku' (Sahih Bukhari, 1002). Both are perfectly valid and fulfill the Sunnah.

2. The Wording of the Qunut