Raising The Forearms Off The Ground In Sajdah
QUESTION:
Recently, while performing Fardh Salaah in Jamaat, a brother noticed my posture and mentioned that my forearms were touching the ground. When I tried to adjust and raise my forearms to prevent them from touching, I found that I had to tense my shoulders significantly. As a result, I completely lost my focus, tranquillity, and the awareness of being in the presence of Allah Ta’ala (Khushu and Khudhu), as my mind became entirely occupied with adjusting my arms.
Should I continue performing Sajdah as I have done, focusing on my Khushu and Khudhu, or is it necessary for me to ensure my forearms do not touch the ground, even if it compromises my focus and presence of mind in Salaah?
ANSWER:
In the queried scenario, placing your forearms on the ground is contrary to the Sunnah method of making Sajdah. As such, we suggest you should keep on trying and Insha’Allah, after some time, you will get into the habit of keeping your forearms raised off the ground without affecting your concentration. Consider the following Hadith:
عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” اعْتَدِلُوا فِي السُّجُودِ، وَلاَ يَبْسُطْ ذِرَاعَيْهِ كَالْكَلْبِ، وَإِذَا بَزَقَ فَلاَ يَبْزُقَنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلاَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ يُنَاجِي رَبَّهُ ”.
Hadrat Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrated from Rasulullah Sallallhu Alaihi Wasallam, “Do the prostration properly and do not put your forearms flat with the elbows touching the ground like a dog. And if you want to spit, do not spit in front, nor to the right, for the person in prayer is speaking in private to his Lord.”
Sahih Bukhari 532
وَلَا يَفْتَرِشُ ذِرَاعَيْهِ أَيْ لَا يَجْعَلُ ذِرَاعَيْهِ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ كَالْفِرَاشِ افْتِرَاشَ الْكَلْبِ بِالنَّصْبِ أَيْ مِثْلَ افْتِرَاشِ الْكَلْبِ
قَالَ الْقُرْطُبِيُّ لَا شَكَّ فِي كَرَاهَةِ هَذِهِ الْهَيْئَةِ وَلَا فِي اسْتِحْبَابِ نَقِيضِهَا
(تحفة الأحوذي، ج ٢، ص ٥٣٧ )
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 07 Jumaadal-Ulaa 1448 / 16 October 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb