And prostration upon the seven body parts, and rising from it, …
His statement, “and prostration upon the seven body parts”: this is the sixth pillar of the prayer. Its evidence is:
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The saying of Allah, Most High: “O you who believe, bow and prostrate.” [al-Hajj: 77]
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The Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him, to the man who performed his prayer improperly: “Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration.” (1)
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The Prophet’s consistent observance of it.
However, mere prostration is not sufficient; rather, it must be performed upon the seven body parts: the forehead together with the nose, the two hands, the two knees, and the tips of the feet.
The evidence for this is the hadith of Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “We have been commanded to prostrate upon seven body parts: the forehead”—and he indicated his nose with his hand—“the two hands, the two knees, and the tips of the feet.” (2)
His statement, “and rising from it”: this is the seventh pillar of the prayer. It states in al-Rawd (3) that the author’s phrase, “and rising from it,” is rendered unnecessary by his statement, “and sitting between the two prostrations,” since it is inconceivable for there to be sitting between the two prostrations without first rising from prostration. However, someone may say that rising is a pillar in its own right, and sitting is likewise a pillar in its own right. This is because a person may rise upon hearing a disturbing sound—that is, he rises without intending to do so and then sits. In this case, he has risen without intention and then sat. Accordingly, he must return to prostration and then rise with the intention of doing so. The same applies if a person falls to the