Sitting between sujud

What to recite and how to sit in between the 2 prostrations.

Sit as if kneeling.

 

The optimal way is:         

• to say "Allahu akbar" (N:as one raises the head);
• to sit in iftirash, which is to place the left foot on its side and sit upon it while keeping the right foot resting on the bottom of its toes, heel up;
• to place one's two hands on the thighs near the knees, fingers extended and held together;
• and to say,Rabbighfirli warhamni wajburni warfa'kni warzuqni wahdini wa'afini wa'kfu 'anni. ( "O Allah forgive me, have mercy on me, pardon me, set me right, guide me, and sustain me" ) 

There are two other ways of sitting back (iq'a') (O: between the two prostrations, or at the first and second Testifications of Faith (Tashahhud, def:f8:45))\

• One way is to sit back on the heels with the bottom of the toes and knees upon  the ground. This is recommended between the two prostrations, though iftirash (def: f8.37) is better.
• The other way is to simply sit on the ground, palms down, and knees, drawn up. This is offensive in any prayer.'