Moreover, it is the foundation and beginning of the day’s deeds, and so it was given special attention and prolonged.

These are subtle wisdoms understood only by those attentive to the deeper meanings, purposes, and wisdoms of the Sharia. Allah is the One whose help is sought (1).

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When he finished reciting, he would remain silent for as long (2) as it took him to catch his breath (3). He would then raise his hands, as previously described, and say “Allah is Most Great” as he bowed. He placed his palms on his knees as though grasping them, held his arms taut and away from his sides, and extended his back, keeping it straight and level. He neither raised nor lowered his head, but kept it aligned with his back.

He would say: “Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent” (4). Sometimes, either alongside this or on its own, he would say: “Glory and praise be to You, O Allah, our Lord. O Allah, forgive me” (5).

His usual bowing lasted as long as it took to glorify Allah ten times, and his prostration likewise (6). As for the hadith of al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib: “I observed the prayer behind the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: his standing, bowing, standing upright again, prostration, and sitting between the two prostrations = were close to