In our preceding edition, we displayed the proper way of doing sujuud which many Muslims fail to practice and, consequently, fail to follow the Prophets (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) manner while being in the position in which one is the most near to Allaah (SWT)!! While being in the state of sujuud, some Muslims abandon the sunnah of tajaafee which is to lift ones belly upwards away from ones thighs and ones arms away from ones sides as far as possible provided one does not cause inconvenience to the one next to him. It also includes that one lifts ones arms from the ground putting only his hands on it at the level of his shoulders or ears not at the knees.
However, a Muslim must not exaggerate in doing Tajaafee by straightening his back to an extent that he looks like the one lying on the ground. This is indeed a detested exaggeration. Tajaafee must be done in a moderate manner; not stretching ones back too much nor huddling oneself too much. Some Muslims behave like animals in their Salaah; which indicates their sense of carelessness towards it.
Some of them may look here and there like a fox does, spread their arms on the ground like lions, do their Salaah so quickly in the same manner a crow does when eating, stick to a certain place in which one does his Salaah like a camel does regarding his resting place, sit on ones buttocks spreading ones feet like dogs do when they sit, or moving ones hands to the left and to the right when reciting tasleem in the same manner horses move their tails.
Ibn AI-Qayyim said: "Our Shareeah prohibited that a Muslim act in the same manner the disbelievers, animals, demons, bedouins or women [as for men] act. While being in Salaah, we [Muslims] are also forbidden to act in the same manner animals or the ignorants behave. Anas (RA) related that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Straighten your selves when doing sujuud; never spread your arms on the ground as dogs do." [Bukhari]
Explaining this hadeeth, Imaam An- Nawawee said: "The hadeeth means that when prostrating, a Muslim must put his hands on the ground lifting his arms away from it and totally away from his sides that his armpits could be seen in case they were uncovered."
This manner of doing sujuud is recommended by all scholars, if it was abandoned one incurs a sin upon himself but his salaah is valid, Allaah (SWT) knows best.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited