Hadith 236
اُردوEn
وعن البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم : « إذا سجدت فضع كفيك وارفع مرفقيك ». رواه مسلم.
Narrated Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (RA): Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "When you prostrate, place the palms of your hands on the ground and raise your elbows." [Reported by Muslim).
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Safi ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri
Lexical Explanation:
«فَضَعْ» In this, "fa" is for consequence, and «ضَعْ» is the imperative form derived from «وَضَع». Its meaning is: place both palms on the ground, set them down.
Benefits and Issues:
➊ In this hadith, there is a command to place the palms on the ground while prostrating and to raise the elbows. However, in Abu Dawud, it is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu that one day the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum complained of fatigue due to a long prostration, so he granted them permission to rest a little by placing their elbows on their knees. [سنن أبى داود، الصلاة، باب الرخصة فى ذلك للضرورة، حديث : 902] But this narration is not authentic in its chain. Otherwise, it is to be understood as pertaining to an excuse.
➋ In most narrations, it is mentioned that in prostration, his elbows would neither touch the ground nor the thighs, due to which the whiteness of his armpits would be visible. This action of his is for every individual of the Ummah, whether male or female.
➌ The command of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is also: «صَلُّوْا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي» "Pray as you have seen me praying." [صحيح البخاري، الأذان، باب الأذان للمسافرين إذا كانوا جماعة۔۔۔، حديث : 631] In any authentic and elevated (marfu‘) narration, there is no contrary command established for women.
Hadith Narrator: (Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib radi Allahu anhuma) His kunyah is Abu ‘Amarah. In "Bara’", the "ba" has a fatha and the "ra" is light (mukhaffaf). His lineage is as follows: Bara’ bin Azib bin Harith bin ‘Adi. He was a member of the Ansar tribe of Aws, hence called Ansari and Awsi. Both father and son were honored with the companionship (sahabah). At the time of the Battle of Badr, due to his young age, he could not participate in jihad. The first battle in which he participated was either Uhud or Khandaq (one of the two). He conquered al-Rayy. In the Battle of Jamal, the Battle of Siffin, and the Battle of Nahrawan, he was among the companions of Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhu. He passed away in Kufa in 72 AH.
«فَضَعْ» In this, "fa" is for consequence, and «ضَعْ» is the imperative form derived from «وَضَع». Its meaning is: place both palms on the ground, set them down.
Benefits and Issues:
➊ In this hadith, there is a command to place the palms on the ground while prostrating and to raise the elbows. However, in Abu Dawud, it is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu that one day the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum complained of fatigue due to a long prostration, so he granted them permission to rest a little by placing their elbows on their knees. [سنن أبى داود، الصلاة، باب الرخصة فى ذلك للضرورة، حديث : 902] But this narration is not authentic in its chain. Otherwise, it is to be understood as pertaining to an excuse.
➋ In most narrations, it is mentioned that in prostration, his elbows would neither touch the ground nor the thighs, due to which the whiteness of his armpits would be visible. This action of his is for every individual of the Ummah, whether male or female.
➌ The command of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is also: «صَلُّوْا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي» "Pray as you have seen me praying." [صحيح البخاري، الأذان، باب الأذان للمسافرين إذا كانوا جماعة۔۔۔، حديث : 631] In any authentic and elevated (marfu‘) narration, there is no contrary command established for women.
Hadith Narrator: (Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib radi Allahu anhuma) His kunyah is Abu ‘Amarah. In "Bara’", the "ba" has a fatha and the "ra" is light (mukhaffaf). His lineage is as follows: Bara’ bin Azib bin Harith bin ‘Adi. He was a member of the Ansar tribe of Aws, hence called Ansari and Awsi. Both father and son were honored with the companionship (sahabah). At the time of the Battle of Badr, due to his young age, he could not participate in jihad. The first battle in which he participated was either Uhud or Khandaq (one of the two). He conquered al-Rayy. In the Battle of Jamal, the Battle of Siffin, and the Battle of Nahrawan, he was among the companions of Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhu. He passed away in Kufa in 72 AH.
Source: Bulugh al-Maram: Commentary by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, Page: 236
