"Shall I not show you how I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) pray?" We said: "Yes." So he stood up and when he bowed, he placed his palms on his knees and put his fingers behind his knees, and held his arms out from his sides, until every part of him settled. Then he raised his head and stood up until every part of him settled. Then he prostrated and held his arms out from his sides, until every part of him settled. Then he sat up until every part of him settled. Then he prostrated again until every part of him settled. Then he did four rak'ahs like that. Then he said: "This is how I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) pray, and this is how he used to lead us in prayer."
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1037
Hadith Text
"Shall I not show you how I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) pray?" We said: "Yes." So he stood up and when he bowed, he placed his palms on his knees and put his fingers behind his knees, and held his arms out from his sides, until every part of him settled. Then he raised his head and stood up until every part of him settled. Then he prostrated and held his arms out from his sides, until every part of him settled. Then he sat up until every part of him settled. Then he prostrated again until every part of him settled. Then he did four rak'ahs like that. Then he said: "This is how I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) pray, and this is how he used to lead us in prayer."
Commentary on Rukoo' (Bowing)
The placing of palms firmly on the knees demonstrates proper support and stability in rukoo'. The fingers positioned behind the knees indicates spreading and firm grip, ensuring the back remains straight and parallel to the ground. Holding arms away from the sides allows for proper expansion of the chest and facilitates full submission to Allah.
Commentary on Tranquility (Tuma'ninah)
The repeated emphasis on "until every part of him settled" highlights the essential quality of tuma'ninah - complete stillness in each position. This is a fundamental pillar of prayer where each bone must return to its proper place, demonstrating reverence and mindfulness rather than hurried movements.
Commentary on Prostration (Sujood)
Holding arms away from the sides during prostration allows the worshipper to lower themselves properly with humility while maintaining dignity. This position facilitates proper contact of the seven limbs with the ground and prevents the elbows from touching the sides, which is the complete form of submission before the Creator.
Legal Significance
This narration serves as a practical demonstration of the Prophet's prayer mannerisms, establishing the sunnah method of prayer. The companion's meticulous observation and replication shows the importance of preserving the exact form of worship as taught by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), making it binding upon the ummah to follow this example.