1. Sujood of Gratitude (Sajdat al-Shukr)
When receiving glad tidings, the Prophet ﷺ would fall in prostration to thank Allah.
Hadith:
Sayyiduna Abu Bakrah رضي الله عنه said:
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ received news that pleased him, he would fall in prostration, thanking Allah."
(Ibn Majah: 1394)
When Allah accepted the repentance of Ka‘b ibn Malik رضي الله عنه:
"A caller came announcing glad tidings to Ka‘b, and as soon as he heard it, he fell in prostration."
(Bukhari: 4418, Muslim: 2769)
2. Sitting Between Two Prostrations
The Prophet ﷺ would:
- Raise his head from prostration.
- Spread his left foot and sit on it.
- Remain upright until all bones returned to their proper place.
(Abu Dawood: 730, Tirmidhi: 284)
Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما said:
"It is Sunnah in Salah to keep the right foot upright with toes facing the Qiblah, and to sit on the left foot."
(Nasa’i: 1159 — authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah & Ibn Hibban)
3. Sitting on the Heels (Iqa‘)
Sometimes the Prophet ﷺ sat resting on his feet and heels.
When Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما was asked, he said:
"This is the Sunnah of your Prophet ﷺ."
(Muslim: 536)
4. Importance of Jalsah
The Prophet ﷺ sat in Jalsah with great composure, so much so that sometimes people thought he had forgotten the second prostration due to the long pause.
(Bukhari: 824, Muslim: 579)
5. Sunnah Du‘as Between Two Sujood
Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated the Prophet ﷺ used to say:
اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَارْحَمْنِيْ وَعَافِنِيْ وَاهْدِنِيْ وَارْزُقْنِيْ
(Abu Dawood: 850, Tirmidhi: 284 — authenticated by Al-Hakim, Al-Dhahabi, and Al-Nawawi)
Sayyiduna Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه narrated:
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ
(Abu Dawood: 874, Ibn Majah: 898 — Sahih)
6. Performing the Second Prostration with Tranquility
After completing the sitting, the Prophet ﷺ would go for the second sujood with full calmness and humility, reciting the same adhkar as in the first sujood.
7. Jalsat al-Istirahah (Resting Pause)
Before standing for the next rak‘ah, the Prophet ﷺ would briefly sit, spreading the left foot until bones returned to place, then stand.
(Abu Dawood: 730, Tirmidhi: 284, Ibn Majah: 282)
8. Sitting Before Standing in Odd Rak‘ahs
Malik ibn Huwayrith رضي الله عنه said:
"The Prophet ﷺ would sit straight before standing after the odd-numbered rak‘ahs (first & third)."
(Bukhari: 823)
9. Using Hands for Support While Standing
Malik ibn Huwayrith رضي الله عنه narrated:
"When the Prophet ﷺ rose from the second prostration, he would sit first, then support himself on the ground with his hands before standing."
(Bukhari: 824)
Azraq ibn Qays said:
"I saw Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما support himself with his hands when standing, saying: ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ do the same.’"
(Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah: 3124)
10. Beginning Surah al-Fatihah Immediately in Second Rak‘ah
When starting the second rak‘ah, the Prophet ﷺ would begin reciting Surah al-Fatihah immediately without repeating the opening du‘a (Du‘a al-Istiftah).
(Muslim: 598)
