5 – One must avoid imitating the people of misguidance, whether that imitation takes one out of the religion altogether or merely leads to sin; for whoever imitates a people is counted among them.

6 – The majority of scholars—including the Hanbalis—understood the prohibition to denote mere reprehensibility, arguing that the posture does not invalidate the prayer. This is a sound interpretation so long as the worshipper does not intend thereby to resemble the Jews or the arrogant; should that be his aim, the act becomes unlawful.