2/89. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 275 — Do Not Lay Forearms Like a Dog
What Has Been Related About Being Balanced During Prostration
Do Not Lay Forearms Like a Dog in Sujud
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 275
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 275
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا سَجَدَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَعْتَدِلْ وَلاَ يَفْتَرِشْ ذِرَاعَيْهِ افْتِرَاشَ الْكَلْبِ " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ شِبْلٍ وَأَنَسٍ وَالْبَرَاءِ وَأَبِي حُمَيْدٍ وَعَائِشَةَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ جَابِرٍ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَالْعَمَلُ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ يَخْتَارُونَ الاِعْتِدَالَ فِي السُّجُودِ وَيَكْرَهُونَ الاِفْتِرَاشَ كَافْتِرَاشِ السَّبُعِ .
Jabir narrated that : The Prophet Said: "When One Of You Prostrates, Then Let Him Be Balanced, And Let Him Not Lay His Forearms Down Like The Lying Of The Dog."
[1] “Balanced” means all of the limbs in the proper places, rather than “straight” as people may interpret it. The lying, or sitting, of the dog, or beast, is to do the opposite of that, with the elbows and forearms on the ground, and the stomach on the thighs. See Tuhfat Al-Ahwaḍhi .Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 275In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 127English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 275
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 275
This Hadith from Jabir teaches a clear manner of sujud. The Prophet said that when one of you prostrates, he should be balanced, and he should not lay his forearms down like the lying of a dog. The text focuses on two points: balance in prostration and avoiding the posture of spreading the forearms on the ground. This Hadith is easy to apply because it describes a visible mistake. Sujud should not look lazy or collapsed. It should be steady, raised, and respectful. People often search for this Hadith as the Hadith about not spreading arms in sujud or not prostrating like a dog.
What we learn from this hadith
- A worshipper should be balanced in sujud.
- The forearms should not be laid down like a dog lies down.
- Sujud should not be collapsed or careless.
- The Hadith teaches respect through posture in prayer.
