① Saying Takbeer Before Going into Sujood
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go into sujood, he would first say Allahu Akbar and then prostrate. When he rose from Tashahhud to stand, he would first say Allahu Akbar and then stand."
(Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah by al-Albani, Hadith 604)
② Placing the Hands Before the Knees
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When any of you prostrates, let him not kneel like a camel, but place his hands before his knees."
(Abu Dawood: 840 — graded sound by Imam al-Nawawi & al-Zarqani)
Supporting narration:
Nafi‘ رحمه الله said:
"Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما would place his hands before his knees and say: ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to do the same.’"
(Ibn Khuzaymah: 727, al-Hakim 1/226 — Sahih)
③ Prostrating on Seven Bones
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: the forehead (and he pointed to his nose), the two hands, the two knees, and the toes of the two feet, and not to gather up the garments or hair."
(Bukhari: 812, Muslim: 490)
- All seven points must firmly touch the ground.
- The nose must be placed along with the forehead.
④ Placing Hands Level with Shoulders or Head
Sayyiduna Abu Humaid al-Sa‘idi رضي الله عنه said:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would place his nose and forehead on the ground in sujood, keep his arms away from his sides, and place his hands level with his shoulders."
(Abu Dawood: 734, Ibn Khuzaymah: 640 — Sahih)
Another narration:
"He placed his head between his two hands."
(Abu Dawood: 726, Ibn Hibban: 485 — Sahih)
⑤ Joining the Fingers in Sujood
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would spread his fingers apart in ruku‘ and join them together in sujood."
(Al-Hakim 1/227, al-Bayhaqi 2/112 — Sahih)
⑥ Keeping the Heels Together
‘Aishah رضي الله عنها said:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in sujood with his heels together and the toes facing the Qiblah."
(Al-Bayhaqi 2/101, Ibn Khuzaymah: 654 — Sahih)
⑦ Raising the Elbows and Avoiding Spreading Arms
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When you prostrate, place your hands on the ground and raise your elbows."
(Muslim: 494)
He said:
"Do not spread your arms like a dog when you prostrate."
(Bukhari: 822, Muslim: 494)
⑧ Prostrating on Ground or Mat
- The Prophet ﷺ prostrated directly on the ground, sometimes on a cloth during extreme heat. (Bukhari: 379, Muslim: 620)
- He once prostrated in mud after rainfall, with traces on his forehead and nose. (Bukhari: 813, Muslim: 1167)
- He also prostrated on a black mat. (Bukhari: 380, Muslim: 856)
⑨ Lengthening the Sujood
- Usually, sujood was as long as ruku‘.
- Sometimes he lengthened it, such as when al-Hasan or al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما climbed onto his back, and he waited until they dismounted. (Nasa’i: 1141 — Sahih)
