When you prostrate, place your palms and raise your elbows

Arabic text

عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا سَجَدْتَ، فَضَعْ كَفَّيْكَ وَارْفَعْ مِرْفَقَيْكَ».

Translation

Al-Barā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you prostrate, place your palms and raise your elbows."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified the position of the hands during the prostration in prayer. The palms should be put on the ground with the fingers joined facing the Qiblah (prayer direction), whereas the elbows—the joint between the forearm and the upper arm—should be raised and not touch the ground and should be kept away from the sides.

Benefits

• It is obligatory for the one praying to place his palms on the ground, noting that the palms are from the seven body parts included in the prostration.
• It is recommended to raise the arms from the ground, and it is disliked to spread them out on the ground like a wild beast.
• It is legitimate to display energy, strength, and desire in worship.
• When the one praying relies on all of the body parts included in the prostration, each part will receive its due right of worship.

Topics

• Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles
• Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship
• Prayer
• Method of Prayer