Sunnah Method of Prostration (Sajdah) for Men and Women in Salah
Based on: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Vol. 1
Is there any difference between the method of prostration in Salah for men and women?
Is the explanation in Mishkat al-Masabih consistent with authentic Hadiths?
What is the stance of Ahl-e-Hadith scholars on this issue?
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly stated that spreading the arms like a dog during prostration is prohibited for both men and women.
There is no evidence in authentic Hadiths to exclude women from this ruling.
In the footnotes of Mishkat al-Masabih, an opinion is cited from Abu Dawud's Marāsīl, narrated from Zayd ibn Abī Ḥabīb (correctly: Yazīd ibn Abī Ḥabīb), stating that a woman should place her arms on the ground during Sajdah.
However:
✔ This narration is Mursal, and according to the principles of Hadith, a Mursal narration is weak.
✔ Therefore, such reports cannot be used as valid evidence in legal rulings.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed both men and women to:
✔ Place their hands on the ground
✔ Keep elbows raised above the ground
✔ Ensure the abdomen is lifted and not touching the thighs
✔ Keep the chest elevated from the floor
As the Prophet ﷺ said:
"اعْتَدِلُوا فِي السُّجُودِ، وَلَا يَبْسُطْ أَحَدُكُمْ ذِرَاعَيْهِ انْبِسَاطَ الْكَلْبِ"
(Bukhari 822, Muslim 493)
Translation: “Be moderate in your prostration, and none of you should spread his arms like a dog.”
Some jurists (Hanafis, Shafi‘is, Hanbalis) instruct women to bring their stomachs close to their thighs during Sajdah for reasons of modesty.
However:
✔ There is no authentic Hadith to support this practice.
✔ The narrations used to justify it are either weak or Mursal.
Ahl-e-Hadith scholars hold that:
✔ There is no essential difference in the posture of Salah between men and women.
✔ All postures of Salah — Qiyam, Rukū‘, Sujūd, and Qa‘dah — are the same for both.
✔ Women should follow the same Prophetic method taught by the Messenger ﷺ.
As the Prophet ﷺ said:
"صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي"
(Bukhari 631)
Translation: “Pray as you have seen me praying.”
Some argue that keeping the abdomen away from the thighs may expose a woman’s chest. However, this is an invalid concern, because:
✔ Proper Islamic clothing and the obligatory head covering (khimār) ensure full modesty.
✔ As long as a woman adheres to Islamic dress, she can safely and properly perform Sajdah as taught in the Sunnah.
✔ Raising the elbows and keeping the stomach away from the thighs in prostration is Sunnah for both men and women.
✔ Narrations suggesting a distinct posture for women in Sajdah are either weak or Mursal, and cannot override authentic Hadiths.
✔ According to Ahl-e-Hadith scholars, the method of Salah is uniform for men and women, and women should follow the Prophetic example.
Based on: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Vol. 1
❖ Question
Is there any difference between the method of prostration in Salah for men and women?
Is the explanation in Mishkat al-Masabih consistent with authentic Hadiths?
What is the stance of Ahl-e-Hadith scholars on this issue?
❖ Ruling: Prohibition of “Iftirāsh al-Kalb” (Dog-like Spreading of Arms)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly stated that spreading the arms like a dog during prostration is prohibited for both men and women.
There is no evidence in authentic Hadiths to exclude women from this ruling.
❖ The Mishkat Commentary and Its Flawed Evidence
In the footnotes of Mishkat al-Masabih, an opinion is cited from Abu Dawud's Marāsīl, narrated from Zayd ibn Abī Ḥabīb (correctly: Yazīd ibn Abī Ḥabīb), stating that a woman should place her arms on the ground during Sajdah.
However:
✔ This narration is Mursal, and according to the principles of Hadith, a Mursal narration is weak.
✔ Therefore, such reports cannot be used as valid evidence in legal rulings.
❖ The Prophetic Instruction for Sajdah: For Men and Women Alike
The Prophet ﷺ instructed both men and women to:
✔ Place their hands on the ground
✔ Keep elbows raised above the ground
✔ Ensure the abdomen is lifted and not touching the thighs
✔ Keep the chest elevated from the floor
As the Prophet ﷺ said:
"اعْتَدِلُوا فِي السُّجُودِ، وَلَا يَبْسُطْ أَحَدُكُمْ ذِرَاعَيْهِ انْبِسَاطَ الْكَلْبِ"
(Bukhari 822, Muslim 493)
Translation: “Be moderate in your prostration, and none of you should spread his arms like a dog.”
❖ The Argument for a Different Method for Women
Some jurists (Hanafis, Shafi‘is, Hanbalis) instruct women to bring their stomachs close to their thighs during Sajdah for reasons of modesty.
However:
✔ There is no authentic Hadith to support this practice.
✔ The narrations used to justify it are either weak or Mursal.
❖ View of Ahl-e-Hadith Scholars
Ahl-e-Hadith scholars hold that:
✔ There is no essential difference in the posture of Salah between men and women.
✔ All postures of Salah — Qiyam, Rukū‘, Sujūd, and Qa‘dah — are the same for both.
✔ Women should follow the same Prophetic method taught by the Messenger ﷺ.
As the Prophet ﷺ said:
"صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي"
(Bukhari 631)
Translation: “Pray as you have seen me praying.”
❖ Objection Regarding Modesty in Sajdah
Some argue that keeping the abdomen away from the thighs may expose a woman’s chest. However, this is an invalid concern, because:
✔ Proper Islamic clothing and the obligatory head covering (khimār) ensure full modesty.
✔ As long as a woman adheres to Islamic dress, she can safely and properly perform Sajdah as taught in the Sunnah.
❖ Summary
✔ Raising the elbows and keeping the stomach away from the thighs in prostration is Sunnah for both men and women.
✔ Narrations suggesting a distinct posture for women in Sajdah are either weak or Mursal, and cannot override authentic Hadiths.
✔ According to Ahl-e-Hadith scholars, the method of Salah is uniform for men and women, and women should follow the Prophetic example.
