4/45. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 493b — Do Not Stretch Forearms Like a Dog
Moderation In Prostration; Placing The Hands On The Ground, Keeping The Elbows Up, Away From The Sides, And Lifting The Belly Up Off The Thighs When Prostrating
Hadith About Not Stretching the Forearms in Sujood
Sahih Muslim : 493b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 493b
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ يَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ الْحَارِثِ - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ وَفِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ جَعْفَرٍ " وَلاَ يَتَبَسَّطْ أَحَدُكُمْ ذِرَاعَيْهِ انْبِسَاطَ الْكَلْبِ " .
Shu'ba Narrated from:
This hadith has been narrated by Shu'ba with the same chain of transmitters. And in the hadith transmitted by Ibn Ja'far (the words are): " None of you should stretch out his forearms like the stretching out of a dog."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 493bIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 265USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 998
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 493b
This narration carries the same core teaching about the posture of sujood. It says, through the same chain, that none of you should stretch out his forearms like the stretching out of a dog. The main point is clear: prostration has a respectful form, and the forearms should not be laid out flat in that way. The Hadith is often searched by people asking about forearms in sujood or dog-like prostration. Its wording is brief, but it corrects a visible mistake in prayer. It also shows that repeated narrations can preserve the same teaching with close wording, helping the reader understand the rule more firmly.
What we learn from this hadith
- The narration repeats the warning about forearms in sujood.
- It compares the wrong posture to the stretching of a dog.
- Sujood should be done in a manner taught by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- Close wordings in Hadith can carry the same practical teaching.
