❖ Hadith Reference: Placing Knees Before Hands
Narrated by Wail bin Hujr رضي الله عنه:"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he would go into prostration, he placed his knees before his hands, and when he rose, he lifted his hands before his knees."
References: Tirmidhi: 268, Abu Dawud: 837, Nasai: 2/206-207, Ibn Majah: 882, Hakim: 1/226
This narration includes Sharik bin Abdullah al-Nakha’i, a truthful narrator but known for making frequent mistakes. Many Hadith scholars, including Dar Qutni, considered him weak.
❖ Hadith Reference: Placing Hands Before Knees
Narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When one of you goes into Sujood, let him not kneel as the camel kneels, but let him place his hands before his knees."
References: Ahmad: 2/381, Abu Dawud: 840, Nasai: 2/207, Tirmidhi: 269
This narration is authentic (Sahih) and preferred by the majority of Hadith scholars.
❖ Scholarly Analysis & Verdict
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Stronger Sunnah Practice:The authentic Hadith supports placing hands before knees during Sujood. This method is backed by stronger chains and clearer guidance from the Prophet ﷺ.
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Weak Support for Knees First:The narration supporting placing knees before hands contains a weak chain. Since it contradicts a more reliable narration, it cannot be acted upon, especially in matters of rulings (Ahkam).
❖ Important Rulings and Benefits
➊ The correct Sunnah is to place the hands before the knees when going into Sujood.➋ Avoid resembling the posture of a camel sitting — which means placing knees first — as specifically warned against in the Hadith.
➌ The authenticity of Hadith is crucial in establishing Islamic rulings; weak narrations are not valid in such matters.
➍ It is essential to differentiate between Fada'il (virtues) and Ahkam (rulings) when considering weak narrations.
