1. Hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Humaid al-Sa‘idi رضي الله عنه
Sayyiduna Abu Humaid al-Sa‘idi رضي الله عنه narrated:
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat after two rak‘ahs, he would sit on his left foot and keep his right foot upright."
(Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Chapter: Sunnah of Sitting in Tashahhud, 828)
This hadith clearly shows that the Sunnah in Tashahhud is to spread the left foot and sit on it, while keeping the right foot upright.
2. Practical Guidance from Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما
‘Abdullah said:
"I saw ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما sitting cross-legged in Salah. I did the same when I was young. Ibn ‘Umar forbade me and said: ‘The Sunnah is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, after the second rak‘ah (when rising from the second prostration), would spread his left foot and sit on it, and keep his right foot upright.’ I said: ‘But you do not do that yourself?’ He replied: ‘My feet do not support me.’"
(Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Chapter: Sunnah of Sitting in Tashahhud, 827)
Key Points Derived:
❀ For a healthy and able person, the Sunnah is to sit on the left foot and keep the right foot upright during Tashahhud.
❀ The physically weak, elderly, or those with illness are permitted to sit in a way that is comfortable for them.
❀ Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما explained that his departure from the Sunnah posture was due to physical inability, not choice.
