The Book of Prayer - Travellers

Sahih Muslim 731 c

Hadith Text

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite in sitting position (while observing the Tahajjud prayer) and when he intended to bow, he would stand up and recite (for the duration in which) a man (ordinarily) recites forty verses.

Commentary

This noble hadith demonstrates the Prophet's practice in his night prayer (Tahajjud), where he would begin his recitation of Qur'an while sitting due to physical ease during lengthy worship. The wisdom behind standing only when approaching the bowing position shows the combination of comfort with proper prayer form.

The specification of "forty verses" indicates a substantial recitation period while standing, teaching us that the standing position in prayer should be of meaningful duration, not merely transitional. This practice reflects the balance between the sunnah of prolonged night prayer and consideration for the worshipper's physical capacity.

Scholars derive from this that recitation while sitting is permissible in nawafil (voluntary) prayers when there is legitimate need, though standing remains superior. The measured transition from sitting to standing exemplifies the Prophet's methodical approach to worship, where every movement has purpose and devotion.