What the author, may Allah have mercy on him, means by his statement, “He grasps the wrist of his left hand,” is the joint.

Thus, the author, may Allah have mercy on him, indicates that the Sunnah is to grasp the wrist. However, the Sunnah also reports grasping the wrist (1), as well as placing the hand upon the forearm without gripping it (2). These, then, are two manners: the first is grasping, and the second is placement.

Question: We see some people grasping the elbow. Does this have any basis?

Answer: This has no basis. Rather, one either grasps the wrist or places one’s hand upon the forearm. In Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahl ibn Sa‘d reported: “The people were commanded that a man place his right hand upon his left forearm in prayer.” (68)

Below his navel, …

His statement, “Below his navel,” means that he places his right and left hands below the navel. This manner—namely, placing the hands below the navel—is the prescribed one according to the well-known position of the school of law (3). There is also the hadith of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: “It is from the Sunnah to place the right hand over the left below the navel.” (4)