Sujud

What to recite while prostrating - AUDIO SUJUD

The optimal way to prostrate is to say "Allahu akbar" and:

• to put the knees down first, then the hands, and then the forehead and nose (O: the order is called for, and any other order is offensive);
• to prostrate with the hands directly under one's shoulders, fingers together, extended towards the direction of prayer (qibla), hands uncovered;
• for men to keep 1 span (n: about 23 cm) between the two knees and two feet (O: though a woman's are kept together);
• for men to keep the stomach apart from the thighs, though women keep them together;
• and to say three times, Subhana rabbiayal a'kla wabihamdih (" My Lord Most High is exalted above all limitation.")

It is sunna, in each rak'a that is not followed by the Testification of Faith (Tashahhud), to briefly rest in the iftirash style of sitting before rising after the second sujud. Then one (O: quickly) raises, helping oneself up with both hands (O: palms down), and prolonging the Allah Akbar until standing.

Then one performs the second rak'a of the prayer just like the first, except for the initial intention, the opening Allah Akbar, and Opening Supplication (Iftitah).

For Prayers With More Than 2 Rakaats:

 

If one's prayer exceeds two rak'as one sits in iftirash after the first two rak'as and recites the Testification of Faith (Tashahhud) and the Blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), though not upon his family (N: which is done only in the final Testification of Faith at the end of the prayer).

Then one rises, saying "Allahu akbar" and leaning on one's hands (n: as before). When standing, one lifts the hands to shoulder level (A: which one does after the second rakaat, but not after rising from the first or third rak'a) and then goes on to perform the remainder of the prayer as one did the second rak'a, except that one recites the Fatiha to oneself and does not recite a sura after it