Resting forearms on the ground during the prayer

Source: The Prophet’s  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) Prayer By Shaikh Muhammad Naasir ud-Deen al-Albani (Rahimahullaah)

Al-Bukhari (Rahimahullaah) reported in the Book of the description of the Salat, chapter: One should not put the forearms on the ground during prostrations.

Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated, describing the way the Prophet  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) used to offer the Salat: “He (the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) would not rest his forearms on the ground.” [al-Bukhari and Abu Dawoud] In another narration: “He  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) would raise them above the ground, and keep them away from his sides such that the whiteness of his armpits could be seen from behind.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim] And also: “Such that if a small lamb or kid wanted to pass under his arms, it would have been able to do so.” [Muslim]

The Prophet  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) would do this to such an extent that one of his Companions (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum) said: “We used to feel sorry for the Messenger of Allah  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) because of the way he kept his hands away from his sides.” [Abu Dawoud, Abu ‘Awaanah and Ibn Hibban]

He  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) used to order likewise, saying: “When you perform Sajdah, place your palms (on the ground) and raise your elbows.” [Muslim] And: “Be level in Sujood, and none of you should spread his forearms like the spreading of a dog.” (in one narration: “… like a dog spreads them.”) [al-Bukhari and Muslim] In a separate Hadith: “None of you should rest his arms on the ground the way a dog rests them.” [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

He  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) also used to say: “Do not spread your arms [the way a beast of prey does]; rest on your palms and keep your upper arms apart, for when you do all that, every one of your limbs prostrates with you.” [Ibn Khuzaimah, al-Maqdisi and al-Hakim]

All the Hadiths are authenticated by Shaikh al-Albani (Rahimahullaah)

Important Note:

All that has been mentioned of the description of the Prophet’s  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) prayer  applies equally to men and women, for there is nothing in the Sunnah to necessitate the exception of women from any of these descriptions; in fact, the generality of his statement  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam): “Pray as you have seen me praying”, includes women.

This is the view of Ibraaheem an-Nakh’i, who said: “A woman’s actions in the prayer are the same as a man’s.” [Transmitted by Ibn Abi Shaibah (1/75/2), with a Saheeh Sanad from him]

Also, Bukhari reported in at-Taareekh as-Sagheer (p. 95) with a Saheeh Sanad from Umm ad-Dardaa’: “That she used to sit in her prayer just as a man sits, and she was a woman of understanding (a jurist).”

The Hadith about the Indimaam (tucking up) of a woman in prostration, and that she is not like a man in that regard, is Mursal and not authentic. Abu Dawoud transmitted it in al-Maraaseel on the authority of Yazeed ibn Abi Habeeb.

As for what Imam Ahmad has reported, as in his son ‘Abdullah’s Masaa’il, from Ibn ‘Umar, that he used to instruct his wives to sit cross-legged in prayer, its Sanad is not authentic, for it contains ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar al-‘Amri, who is a Da’eef (weak) narrator.