Question:
What is the ruling regarding Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest) in prayer?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
✿ Answer:
After completing two prostrations (sujūd), before standing for the second or fourth rakʿah, one briefly sits — this is known as Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest).
According to authentic evidences, Jalsah al-Istirāḥah is Sunnah.
❀ ① Evidence from the Hadith of Sayyidunā Mālik bin Ḥuwayrith رضي الله عنه
Arabic Text:
رأيت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي، فإذا كان فى وتر من صلاته لم ينهض حتى يستوي قاعدا
Translation:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ offering prayer. When he was in an odd (rakʿah), he would not stand up until he had sat straight.”
📚 (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 823)
This clearly establishes that the Prophet ﷺ would sit briefly before standing for the next rakʿah.
❀ ② The Prophet’s ﷺ Instruction to the Man Who Prayed Incorrectly
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught a man who was not praying properly, saying:
Arabic Text:
ثم ارفع حتى تطمئن جالسا
Translation:
“Then raise your head (from the second prostration) and sit calmly until you are at ease.”
📚 (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6251)
This indicates that a brief sitting after the second prostration is part of the Prophet’s ﷺ method of performing prayer.
❀ Clarification:
In another narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6251), it is stated:
ثم ارفع حتى تستوي قائما — “Then raise your head and stand straight.”
These words do not negate Jalsah al-Istirāḥah; rather, they describe the act that follows it — i.e., standing up after sitting briefly.
Hence, both narrations are in harmony.
❀ ③ Further Evidence from the Practice of the Companions
Abū Qilābah رحمه الله narrated:
“Sayyidunā Mālik bin Ḥuwayrith رضي الله عنه came to us and led us in prayer in this mosque. He said: I did not intend to lead you in prayer, but to show you how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed his prayer.
Ayyūb al-Sakhtiyānī رحمه الله said: I asked my teacher Abū Qilābah, ‘How was the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer?’ He said: ‘Like the prayer of this elder among us, ʿAmr bin Salamah رضي الله عنه.’
Ayyūb added: That elder would pronounce the takbīr fully, and when he raised his head from the second prostration, he would sit for a while, lean on the ground with his hands, and then stand up.”
📚 (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 824)
This description perfectly matches the Jalsah al-Istirāḥah as practiced by the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions رضي الله عنهم.
✅ Conclusion:
Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest) — a brief sitting after the two prostrations before standing up for the second or fourth rakʿah — is a Sunnah practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
It demonstrates calmness, composure, and following the exact method of prayer taught by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
