Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

i would like to know that when i go in sajdah while offering prayer and make a long dua so in that case can i rest my elbows on the thigh...is ther any problem.

jazakallah khair

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Answer:

Rest elbows in sajdah

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.509 Narrated by Anas

The Prophet (saws) said, "Do the prostration properly, and do not put your forearms flat with elbows touching the ground like a dog.’

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.785 Narrated byAnas bin Malik

The Prophet (saws) said, "Be straight in the prostrations and none of you should put his forearms on the ground (in the prostration) like a dog."

What is specifically and categorically prohibited is placing the forearms flat with elbows touching the ground while performing the prostration; and the Sunnah or practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws) would be to place his palms on the ground with his elbows jutting outwards when performing the prostration.

Beloved sister, although to the best of our knowledge, there is no specific prohibition in the authentic and established Sunnah regarding the resting of one’s elbows on one’s thighs during prostration….in light of the above quoted severe prohibition of placing one’s elbows on the ground, it would be safest and best to make sure that one does not place one’s elbows anywhere except jutting outwards as was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws)….for the guidance of the Prophet (saws) in all acts of prayer unto his companions was to ‘pray as you have seen me pray.’

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan