1031. After the qirÁÞah of every rak‘ah, one should bow to such a degree that the tips of his fingers reach his knees. This action is known as rukÙ‘. The recommended precaution is that one should be able to place his hands over his knees.
1032. There is no problem if a person bows to the degree necessary for rukÙ‘, but does not place his fingers over his knees.
1033. If a person bows in an unusual manner, for example, if he bows to his left or right side, his rukÙ is invalid, even if his hands reach his knees.
1034. It is necessary that a person bow with the intention of rukÙ. Therefore, if a person bows for another reason, such as killing an insect, it shall not be deemed rukÙ. In the event he bows for another reason, he should stand, and then bow again for rukÙ. This will not add to the pillars of prayer, and therefore will not invalidate his prayer.
1035. If a person's hands or knees are different from others’, for example, his/her arms are abnormally long, to the extent that if he bows slightly, his hands would reach his knees, or if his knees are abnormally low, to the extent that he would need to bow a great deal for his hands to reach his knees, he should bow to the normal degree.
1036. A person who performs rukÙ sitting, should bow to the degree that his face is positioned above his knees. The precaution is that one should bow to the degree that he would bow, were he to perform rukÙ standing.
1037. Unless a person is compelled, it is obligatory to recite either سُبْحانَ الله (Subhaan'Allah) ({^ glory be to Allah.^}) three times, or سُبْحانَ ربِّيَ العَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ (Subhaana rabbiyal 'adheeme wa bihamdeh) ({^glory be to Allah, the Supreme and Him do I praise.^}) once, or any dhikr that is equal to it in length. Recommended precaution dictates that the aforementioned tasbÐÎ should be given precedence over other dhikr, and when time is constricted or one is compelled, it is sufficient to recite سُبْحانَ اللَّه once.
1038. The words in the dhikr of rukÙ should be recited in close succession, correct Arabic, and it is recommended the dhikr be
سُبْحانَ ربِّيَ العَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ, recited three, five or seven times; rather, even more than seven times.
1039. One should maintain bodily composure during the obligatory dhikr of rukÙ. Obligatory precaution dictates that one should also maintain bodily composure during the recommended dhikr of rukÙ, if it is recited with the intention of the dhikr that is specified for rukÙ. However, if it is recited with the intention of dhikr in general, bodily composure is not necessary.
1040. If during the obligatory dhikr of rukÙ, a person involuntarily moves his body to the extent that he loses bodily composure, he should repeat the dhikr after regaining composure. However, if the movement of his body is so minute that it does not result in him losing composure, or he moves his fingers, there is no harm in it.
1041. If a person deliberately recites the dhikr of rukÙ prior to bowing the degree necessary for rukÙ, and prior to attaining bodily composure, his prayer is invalid, unless he is an excusable ignorant, in which case his prayer shall not be deemed invalid.
1042. If a person deliberately raises his head from rukÙ, prior to completing its obligatory dhikr, his prayer is invalid, unless he is excusable for his ignorance, in which case his prayer shall not be deemed invalid. A person who inadvertently raises his head from rukÙ, should recite the dhikr once he regains bodily composure, if he recollects prior to leaving the state of rukÙ. However, if he recollects after leaving the state of rukÙ, his prayer is valid.
1043. Whenever necessary, it is permissible for a person to limit the dhikr of rukÙ to one سُبْحانَ اللَّه and the recommended precaution is that he recites the other two while returning to the upright position.
1044. If a person is unable to maintain bodily composure in rukÙ‘ due to an illness or something similar, his prayer is valid. He should however ensure that its obligatory dhikr is recited prior to leaving the state of rukÙ.
1045. If a person is unable to bow the necessary degree required for a shar‘Ð rukÙ, as elaborated in article 1031, he should lean on something and perform the shar‘Ð rukÙ. If he is unable to perform rukÙ even by leaning on something, but is capable of performing a conventional bowing, obligatory precaution will dictate that he perform a conventional bowing. Additionally, he should also indicate rukÙ‘ by signaling with his head while standing. If he is unable to perform a conventional bowing either, or is unable to bow at all, obligatory precaution will dictate that he sit down when wanting to perform rukÙ‘, and perform his rukÙ‘ while sitting. He should then also recite another prayer, and indicate its rukÙ‘ by signaling with his head while standing.
1046. If a person whose duty is to perform rukÙ by means of signaling with the head, is unable to do so, he should close his eyes with the intention of rukÙ and recite the dhikr. He should then open his eyes with the intention of standing from rukÙ. If he is unable to do this, he should pass the intention of rukÙ in his mind and recite its dhikr.
1047. If a person is unable to perform rukÙ standing or sitting, even to a degree that is known as rukÙ in the common understanding, and is only able to bow slightly while sitting, he should pray standing and perform rukÙ by means of signaling with the head. In the event that his bowing while being seated is to an extent that it is deemed as rukÙ‘ in the common understanding, the obligatory precaution is that he offer another prayer as well, and when wanting to perform rukÙ‘, he should sit down and bow to that extent.
1048. If a person bows to the point of rukÙ, stands up, and then bows again to the point of rukÙ, his prayer is invalid. If after a person has reached the bowing position of rukÙ, he further bows in such a manner that he exceeds the required limit for rukÙ, and then returns to the position of rukÙ, his prayer will not be deemed invalid so long as he returns to rukÙ from the very state of bowing.
1049. After completing the dhikr of rukÙ, one should stand upright, attain bodily composure and then proceed for sujÙd. If a person deliberately proceeds to sujÙd prior to standing, or prior to attaining bodily composure, his prayer is invalid.
1050. If a person forgets to perform rukÙ, but recollects prior to reaching sujÙd, he should stand and then perform rukÙ. If a person performs rukÙ from the state of bowing—without standing—his prayer is invalid.
1051. If after one’s forehead contacts the earth for sujÙd, a person recollects that he did not perform rukÙ, he should stand, and then perform rukÙ and his prayer will be valid. Obligatory precaution dictates that a person should offer sajdah al-sahw for the additional sujÙd. Recommended precaution however dictates that he should repeat his prayer. If a person recollects during his second sujÙd, his prayer is invalid.
1052. It is recommended to recite takbÐr prior to rukÙ, while one is standing upright. It is also recommended to push one’s knees back in rukÙ‘, maintain a flat back, stretch forth the neck and maintain it at the level of the back, look between the feet and recite ÒalawÁt either prior to the dhikr or after it. After standing from rukÙ, while standing upright with a composed body, one can recite:
سَمِعَ اللّهُ لِمَنْ حمِدَهُ({^ Allah hears he who praises Him. ^})
Same' Allahu Liman Hamidah
1053. It is recommended for women to place their hands on the area above the knees and abstain from pushing their knees back during rukÙ.
