POSTURE DURING PRAYER

Muslim prayer is not carried on in one tranquil posture, sitting or standing; it is accompanied by many bodily movements.  These have been codified on the basis of the practice and precepts of Muhammad.  There are many ahAdIs on the subject.  One narrator saw Muhammad �raising his hands opposite the shoulders at the time of beginning the prayer and before bowing down and after coming back to the erect position after bowing, but he did not raise them between two prostrations� (758).  Another saw his �hands lifted opposite to ears.� He also saw that the Prophet �then wrapped his hands in his cloth and placed his right hand over his left hand.  And when he was about to bow down, he brought out his hands from the cloth, and then lifted them. . . . And when prostrated, he prostrated between the two palms� (792).

Muhammad was commanded by Allah that �he should prostrate on the seven bones and he was forbidden to fold back the hair and clothing.� The seven bones are: �The hands, the knees, and the extremities of the feet and the forehead� (991).  But he asked his followers to �observe moderation in prostration� and not to stretch out [their] forearms on the ground like a dog� (997).

Originally the practice had been to put one�s hands together, palm to palm, and then to put them between one�s thighs.  But later on this practice was abrogated and the followers were �commanded to place them [hands] on the knees� (1086-1092).

Another precaution: �People should avoid lifting their eyes towards the sky while supplicating in prayer, otherwise their eyes would be snatched away� (863).

author : ram swarup