The Prophet's Prayer From The beginning To The End As Though ...

The Rukoo' Described
"He (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would place his palms on his knees" 26 , and "would order them to
do likewise" 27 , as he ordered "the one who prayed badly" in the afore-mentioned hadeeth.
"He would put his hands firmly on his knees [as though he were grasping them]" 28 , and "would
space his fingers out" 29 , ordering "the one who prayed badly" likewise, saying: When you make
rukoo', place your palms on your knees, then space your fingers out, then remain (like that) until
every limb takes its (proper) place. 30
"He used to spread himself (i.e., not be in a compact position), and keep his elbows away from his
sides." 31
"When he made rukoo', he would spread his back and make it level" 32 , "such that if water were
poured on it, it (the water) would stay there (i.e., not run off)." 33 He also said to "the one who prayed
badly", When you make rukoo', put your palms on your knees, spread your back (flat) and hold firm
in your rukoo'. 34
"He would neither let his head droop nor raise it (i.e. higher than his back)" 35 , but it would be in
between. 36
The Obligation of Being at Ease in Rukoo'
He used to be at ease in his rukoo', and ordered "the one who prayed badly" to be so, as has been
mentioned in the first section on rukoo'.
He used to say, Complete the rukoo' and sujood, for by Him in whose Hand is my soul, I surely see
you behind my back 37 when you make rukoo' and sujood. 38
"He saw a man praying not completing his rukoo' properly, and pecking in his sujood, so he said,
Were this man to die in this state, he would die on a faith other than that of Muhammad, [pecking in
his prayer as a crow pecks at blood; he who does not make rukoo' completely and pecks in his sujood
is like the hungry person who eats one or two dates, which are of no use to him at all. 39
Abu Hurairah (radi Allaahu 'anhu) said, "My close friend (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) forbade me
from pecking in my prayer like a cockerel, from looking around like a fox, and from squatting like a
monkey." 40
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) also used to say, The worst thief among men
is the one who steals from his prayer. They said, "O Messenger of Allaah, how does he steal from his
prayer" He said, He does not complete its rukoo' and sujood. 41
Once, "he was praying, when he glanced out of the corner of his eye at a man not settling his
backbone in rukoo' and sujood. When he finished, he said, O assembly of Muslims! Verily, the prayer
is not valid of the one who does not settle his spine in rukoo' and sujood." 42
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