Question:
What is the ruling regarding Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest) in prayer?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
After completing two prostrations (sujūd), before standing for the second or fourth rakʿah, one briefly sits — this is known as Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest).
According to authentic evidences, Jalsah al-Istirāḥah is Sunnah.
Arabic Text:
رأيت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي، فإذا كان فى وتر من صلاته لم ينهض حتى يستوي قاعدا
Translation:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ offering prayer. When he was in an odd (rakʿah), he would not stand up until he had sat straight.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 823)
This clearly establishes that the Prophet ﷺ would sit briefly before standing for the next rakʿah.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught a man who was not praying properly, saying:
Arabic Text:
ثم ارفع حتى تطمئن جالسا
Translation:
“Then raise your head (from the second prostration) and sit calmly until you are at ease.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6251)
This indicates that a brief sitting after the second prostration is part of the Prophet’s ﷺ method of performing prayer.
In another narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6251), it is stated:
ثم ارفع حتى تستوي قائما — “Then raise your head and stand straight.”
These words do not negate Jalsah al-Istirāḥah; rather, they describe the act that follows it — i.e., standing up after sitting briefly.
Hence, both narrations are in harmony.
Abū Qilābah رحمه الله narrated:
“Sayyidunā Mālik bin Ḥuwayrith رضي الله عنه came to us and led us in prayer in this mosque. He said: I did not intend to lead you in prayer, but to show you how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed his prayer.
Ayyūb al-Sakhtiyānī رحمه الله said: I asked my teacher Abū Qilābah, ‘How was the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer?’ He said: ‘Like the prayer of this elder among us, ʿAmr bin Salamah رضي الله عنه.’
Ayyūb added: That elder would pronounce the takbīr fully, and when he raised his head from the second prostration, he would sit for a while, lean on the ground with his hands, and then stand up.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 824)
This description perfectly matches the Jalsah al-Istirāḥah as practiced by the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions رضي الله عنهم.
Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest) — a brief sitting after the two prostrations before standing up for the second or fourth rakʿah — is a Sunnah practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
It demonstrates calmness, composure, and following the exact method of prayer taught by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
What is the ruling regarding Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest) in prayer?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
✿ Answer:
After completing two prostrations (sujūd), before standing for the second or fourth rakʿah, one briefly sits — this is known as Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest).
According to authentic evidences, Jalsah al-Istirāḥah is Sunnah.
❀ ① Evidence from the Hadith of Sayyidunā Mālik bin Ḥuwayrith رضي الله عنه
Arabic Text:
رأيت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي، فإذا كان فى وتر من صلاته لم ينهض حتى يستوي قاعدا
Translation:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ offering prayer. When he was in an odd (rakʿah), he would not stand up until he had sat straight.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 823)This clearly establishes that the Prophet ﷺ would sit briefly before standing for the next rakʿah.
❀ ② The Prophet’s ﷺ Instruction to the Man Who Prayed Incorrectly
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught a man who was not praying properly, saying:
Arabic Text:
ثم ارفع حتى تطمئن جالسا
Translation:
“Then raise your head (from the second prostration) and sit calmly until you are at ease.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6251)This indicates that a brief sitting after the second prostration is part of the Prophet’s ﷺ method of performing prayer.
❀ Clarification:
In another narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6251), it is stated:
ثم ارفع حتى تستوي قائما — “Then raise your head and stand straight.”
These words do not negate Jalsah al-Istirāḥah; rather, they describe the act that follows it — i.e., standing up after sitting briefly.
Hence, both narrations are in harmony.
❀ ③ Further Evidence from the Practice of the Companions
Abū Qilābah رحمه الله narrated:
“Sayyidunā Mālik bin Ḥuwayrith رضي الله عنه came to us and led us in prayer in this mosque. He said: I did not intend to lead you in prayer, but to show you how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed his prayer.
Ayyūb al-Sakhtiyānī رحمه الله said: I asked my teacher Abū Qilābah, ‘How was the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer?’ He said: ‘Like the prayer of this elder among us, ʿAmr bin Salamah رضي الله عنه.’
Ayyūb added: That elder would pronounce the takbīr fully, and when he raised his head from the second prostration, he would sit for a while, lean on the ground with his hands, and then stand up.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 824)This description perfectly matches the Jalsah al-Istirāḥah as practiced by the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions رضي الله عنهم.
Conclusion:
Jalsah al-Istirāḥah (the sitting of rest) — a brief sitting after the two prostrations before standing up for the second or fourth rakʿah — is a Sunnah practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
It demonstrates calmness, composure, and following the exact method of prayer taught by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
