such issues: there is flexibility in the matter. However, what appears to be in accordance with the sunnah is to place the right hand over the left forearm, based on the general wording of the authentic hadith of Sahl ibn Sa‘d in Sahih al-Bukhari: “The people were commanded that a man should place his right hand over his left forearm in prayer.” (1) If you consider the general wording of this hadith—“in prayer,” rather than “while standing”—it becomes clear that placing the hands in this manner is prescribed while standing after bowing. For in prayer, the hands are placed on the knees while bowing, on the ground while prostrating, and on the thighs while sitting; while standing—which includes both before and after bowing—a person places his right hand over his left forearm. This is the correct view.

He then goes down into prostration, saying the takbir …

His statement, “He then goes down into prostration, saying the takbir.” The word “then” is a conjunction indicating sequence and delay. The author, may Allah have mercy on him, did not specify the extent of this delay. However, the sunnah, as indicated by the hadith of al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib and others, shows that this standing—that is, standing upright after bowing—should last approximately as long as the bowing itself. Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I observed the prayer with Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and found that his standing, his bowing, his standing upright after bowing, his prostration, his sitting between the two prostrations, his prostration, and his sitting between the salutation and departure were nearly equal in length.” (2)