The Sunnah Method of Rising from Prostration and Tashahhud

Written by: Dr. Abu Jaber Abdullah Damanwi

Sunnah Practice for Rising from Prostration and Tashahhud​

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would finish the second prostration, he would sit and then place his hands on the ground, using them for support to stand up.

Sitting Before Rising​

❀ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Malik bin Huwayrith رضي الله عنه:
"He observed the Prophet ﷺ praying, and whenever the Prophet was in an odd-numbered rak'ah, he would not rise until he had sat upright."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 823)

In another narration:
"When the Prophet ﷺ raised his head from the second prostration, he would sit, then lean on the ground and stand up."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 824)

❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani رحمه الله explains:
"Imam Bukhari’s purpose in mentioning this hadith here is to demonstrate that when standing up from prostration or sitting, one should lean on the ground with both hands."
(Fath al-Bari: 2/303)

❀ Abu Qilabah says:
"Malik bin Huwayrith رضي الله عنه was among us and said: Shall I not show you how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed the prayer? He then performed the prayer without observing the time of prayer. When he raised his head from the second prostration, he sat properly, then stood up leaning on the ground with his hands."
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 687; authentic chain)

These narrations clearly establish that after the second prostration, one should sit (known as Jalsah al-Istirahah) and then rise by leaning with both hands on the ground.

How Should One Go into Prostration?​

Similarly, when going into prostration, one should first place the hands on the ground, then the knees, and finally prostrate — a method proven by authentic Hadith.

❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates:
"When one of you prostrates, he should not fall into prostration like a camel, but should place his hands before his knees."
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 840; Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai: Hasan chain)

Placing the hands means to support oneself with the palms on the ground, as clarified in many other narrations.

Clarification of ‘Hands’ Meaning​

In multiple Hadith references:

• Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated:
  "I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: forehead (and he pointed to his nose), hands, knees, and toes of the feet."
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 812)
  
  
• Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrated:
  "When the Prophet ﷺ sat in prayer, he would place both his hands on his knees."
  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 580)
  

Here, "hands" specifically means palms and not fists or back of the hands.

Misunderstanding Regarding ‘Kneading Dough’ Method​

Some claim that when rising from prostration or tashahhud, one should clench the hands into fists and press the knuckles onto the ground, citing a narration:

❀ Azraq bin Qays says:
"I saw Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنه kneading the ground with his hands when standing up during prayer. When asked about it, he said: I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ doing so."
(Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat by al-Tabarani, Hadith: 4007)

However, this narration is weak because of unknown narrators such as Haytham bin Alqamah and possibly Hisham bin Imran al-Dimashqi, whose reliability is uncertain.

Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai رحمه الله states:
"This narration is weak; it is incorrect to rely upon it. The established authentic method is to rise by placing palms on the ground."
(Fatawa Ilmiyyah: 1/380-381)

Conclusion​

It is Sunnah to:

• Sit properly after the second prostration.
• Use the palms on the ground to push oneself up into standing position.

Using fists or the back of the hands to rise has no basis in authentic teachings.

May Allah grant us the ability to follow the Sunnah in all our acts of worship. Ameen.