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As for rising from prostration, the evidence that it is obligatory is that prostration cannot be completed without it, and it separates the two prostrations. Whatever is indispensable to fulfilling an obligation is itself obligatory.

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As for standing, the evidence that it is obligatory is the statement of Allah, Mighty and Majestic:

“Stand before Allah in devout obedience.” [al-Baqarah: 238]

And His statement, Exalted is He:

“Glorify your Lord with praise when you rise.” [al-Tūr: 48]

The minimum required standing in each unit of prayer is, for the imam and someone praying alone, the time needed to recite the Opening Chapter of the Quran, and for someone following an imam, the time needed to pronounce the opening takbīr.

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As for the final sitting, it is an obligatory component of prayer by consensus. According to Mālik, the minimum sufficient duration is the time needed to pronounce the salutation of peace.

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As for performing the acts of prayer in sequence—standing before bowing, bowing before prostrating, and prostrating before sitting—this is obligatory by consensus. Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Establish prayer.” [al-Baqarah: 43]

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, explained how to perform it through his words and actions. If someone were to reverse the order of his prayer, beginning with sitting before standing, prostrating before bowing, or the like, his prayer would be invalid by consensus.

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Three further obligatory components are agreed upon within the school: the opening takbīr, the salutation of peace, and reciting the Opening Chapter of the Quran for the imam and someone praying alone. As for the opening takbīr, it is obligatory according to Mālik and all of