❖ Analytical Ruling on the Two Methods of Rising from Sujūd in Salah ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 381
When rising from sujūd (prostration) in ṣalāh—especially after jalsah al-istirāḥah or tashahhud—should one place hands on the ground?
If so, should it be with palms or with closed fists?
What is the ruling based on authentic hadith and scholarly analysis?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
He narrates that:
A person should rise from sujūd by placing his fists on the ground, leaning on them.
Imām al-Albānī graded this narration ḥasan
(al-Ḍaʿīfah, 2/392; Tamām al-Minnah)
In an article published in al-Iʿtiṣām (25 Nov 1994), he wrote:
“Lean on the ground with his hands (يديْهِ)”
He clarified:
“Using fists is ‘iʿtimād ʿala al-anāmil’ (relying on finger joints), not ‘ʿala al-yadayn’.”
Hence, the Sunnah is to rise using the palms.
Thus, some scholars labeled Haytham’s addition as shādh (anomalous).
He responded:
Refer to:
"al-Tabyīn fī Masʾalat al-ʿAjīn"
By: Muḥammad ʿAlī Khāḍilīḥī
(A scholarly treatise analyzing the narration of rising like kneading dough)
Example:
✔ The narration of rising like kneading dough (with fists) is weak,
due to the weakness of the narrator Haytham ibn ʿImrān.
✔ The more authentic narrations support **rising with the help of the palms placed on the ground—similar to how one goes into sujūd.
➡ Therefore, the stronger and preferred opinion is:
Rising from sujūd by placing the palms on the ground—not by leaning on closed fists.
gg
فتویٰ:
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
(al-Ḥadīth, Issue 42, 8 August 2007)
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 381
✦ Question:
When rising from sujūd (prostration) in ṣalāh—especially after jalsah al-istirāḥah or tashahhud—should one place hands on the ground?
If so, should it be with palms or with closed fists?
What is the ruling based on authentic hadith and scholarly analysis?
✔ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ Summary of Scholarly Opinions and Evidence:
➊ Report of Abū Isḥāq al-Ḥarbī
He narrates that:
A person should rise from sujūd by placing his fists on the ground, leaning on them.
Imām al-Albānī graded this narration ḥasan
(al-Ḍaʿīfah, 2/392; Tamām al-Minnah)
➋ Position of Mawlānā Muḥibbullāh Shāh Rāshidī
In an article published in al-Iʿtiṣām (25 Nov 1994), he wrote:
- In the narration of Kāmil ibn Ṭalḥah, the Prophet ﷺ is reported to:
“Lean on the ground with his hands (يديْهِ)”
- The word "yadayn" refers to palms (kafayn), not fists.
- Therefore, placing the palms on the ground is what is intended.
He clarified:
“Using fists is ‘iʿtimād ʿala al-anāmil’ (relying on finger joints), not ‘ʿala al-yadayn’.”
Hence, the Sunnah is to rise using the palms.
➌ Narration of Haytham and the Dispute over It
- Some claim that Haytham’s narration includes the verb "yaʿjin" (rising like kneading dough), implying using fists.
- However, Kāmil ibn Ṭalḥah, who is more reliable, did not report this wording.
Thus, some scholars labeled Haytham’s addition as shādh (anomalous).
➍ Mawlānā Irshād al-Ḥaqq Atharī’s Clarification
He responded:
- The narration of Haytham is not shādh, rather, it contains additional detail.
- Reconciling both: If one uses fists or palms, both practices are technically valid.
◈ Analysis of the Narrators and Authenticity:
➤ Haytham ibn ʿImrān al-Dimashqī
- A key narrator in Abū Isḥāq al-Ḥarbī’s report.
- Only declared trustworthy by Ibn Ḥibbān.
- Hence, he is majhūl al-ḥāl (unknown status).
- According to ḥadīth principles, a majhūl narrator’s isolated report is weak.
➤ Supporting Study:
Refer to:
"al-Tabyīn fī Masʾalat al-ʿAjīn"
By: Muḥammad ʿAlī Khāḍilīḥī
(A scholarly treatise analyzing the narration of rising like kneading dough)
➤ Critique of al-Albānī’s Grading:
- While Shaykh al-Albānī approved Haytham’s narration, his method of relying solely on Ibn Ḥibbān’s grading has been criticized.
Example:
- In Sunan Abī Dāwūd (3489), the narrator ʿUmar ibn Bayān was deemed majhūl by al-Albānī,
although Ibn Ḥibbān declared him trustworthy and Abū Ḥātim called him “maʿrūf”.
(al-Ḍaʿīfah, 10/70-71, Ḥadīth 4566)
❖ Final Conclusion & Preferred Method (Rajih Qawl)
✔ The narration of rising like kneading dough (with fists) is weak,
due to the weakness of the narrator Haytham ibn ʿImrān.
✔ The more authentic narrations support **rising with the help of the palms placed on the ground—similar to how one goes into sujūd.
➡ Therefore, the stronger and preferred opinion is:
Rising from sujūd by placing the palms on the ground—not by leaning on closed fists.gg
فتویٰ:
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
(al-Ḥadīth, Issue 42, 8 August 2007)
Summary of the Two Methods and Their Rulings:
| Method | Evidence Type | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Rising using closed fists | Weak ḥadīth (majhūl rāwī) | Not established |
| Rising using palms on the ground | Authentic ḥadīth | Preferred (rājih) |
