Anas said, "I will leave no stone unturned in making you offer the prayer as I have seen the Prophet (ﷺ) making us offer it." Anas used to do a thing which I have not seen you doing. He used to stand after the bowing for such a long time that one would think that he had forgotten (the prostrations) and he used to sit in-between the prostrations so long that one would think that he had forgotten the second prostration.
Hadith Commentary: The Prayer of Anas ibn Malik
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 821, transmitted through the venerable companion Anas ibn Malik, demonstrates the meticulous preservation of Prophetic practice (Sunnah) by the early generations.
Scholarly Analysis of the Prolonged Postures
Anas ibn Malik's deliberate prolongation of the standing after bowing (i'tidal) and sitting between prostrations (jalsat al-istirahah) reflects the perfect implementation of the Prophet's prayer methodology. This practice emphasizes tranquility (tuma'ninah) in prayer, which is a fundamental pillar (rukn) without which the prayer becomes deficient.
The classical scholars, including Imam al-Nawawi, explain that such prolongation allows for proper devotion (khushu') and complete submission to Allah. It transforms the prayer from mere physical movements into a spiritual conversation with the Divine.
Legal Ruling on These Practices
While the prolonged pauses are recommended (mustahabb), the minimum required duration for each posture remains the time needed to say "Subhanallah" once. However, emulating Anas' practice earns greater reward as it represents the complete Sunnah.
The Hanbali school particularly emphasizes the recommended nature of the sitting between prostrations (jalsat al-istirahah), considering it part of the complete prayer form transmitted from the Prophet through his companions.
Spiritual Dimensions
This teaching illustrates how the companions preserved every detail of Prophetic guidance. Their commitment ensures the ummah receives the prayer in its pristine form, exactly as revealed to Muhammad (ﷺ).
The prolonged postures create opportunities for increased remembrance (dhikr), reflection (tadabbur), and spiritual connection, transforming the prayer into a comprehensive worship encompassing body, mind, and soul.