Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
📖 (631)

Salah is not only about recitation and movements — it is about following the exact way of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Even the way he sat during Tashahhud was taught with precision.

There are two authentic sitting positions reported in the Sunnah:

1. Al-Iftirāsh (الافتراش)

2. At-Tawarruk (التورك)

Understanding them correctly helps us revive a forgotten Sunnah.

🌿 First Position: Al-Iftirāsh (الافتراش)

📌 When is it done?

• In the first Tashahhud (in 3 or 4 rak‘ah prayers)

• In any prayer that has only two rak‘ahs (like Fajr, Sunnah, Nafl)

📌 How to sit in Al-Iftirāsh:

1. Fold the left foot under your body.

2. Sit on top of the left foot.

3. Keep the right foot upright, with toes facing the Qiblah.

📖 Authentic Evidence

Narrated Abu Humayd as-Sa‘idi (رضي الله عنه):

“When he (ﷺ) sat in the first rak‘ah, he sat on his left foot and kept his right foot upright.”

📚 (828)

This is a clear and authentic description of the Prophet’s sitting posture in the first Tashahhud.

🌿 Second Position: At-Tawarruk (التورك)

📌 When is it done?

• In the final Tashahhud of prayers that contain two sittings

  • Zuhr

  • Asr

  • Maghrib

  • Isha

📌 How to sit in At-Tawarruk:

1. Bring the left foot out from under the right leg.

2. Sit directly on the ground (on the buttocks).

3. Keep the right foot upright, toes facing Qiblah.

📖 Authentic Evidence

Abu Humayd (رضي الله عنه) said:

“When he sat in the last rak‘ah, he would bring forward his left foot and sit on his buttocks.”

📚 (828)
📚 (579)

This proves that the Prophet ﷺ changed his posture in the final sitting.

🧎‍♂️ What About Two-Rak‘ah Prayers?

If the prayer is only two rak‘ahs (like Fajr, Sunnah prayers, or Nafl):

• There is only one Tashahhud

• The Prophet ﷺ would sit in Al-Iftirāsh

• He did not perform Tawarruk in two-rak‘ah prayers

This understanding is based on combining authentic narrations found in:

📌 Simple Practical Summary

⚖️ Important Reminder

These sitting positions are Sunnah (recommended) — not pillars (Fard).

If someone sits differently, the prayer is still valid.

However, following the Sunnah increases reward and perfects our Salah.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Pray as you have seen me praying.”

📖 (631)

🌟 Why Does This Matter?

Small Sunnah actions bring:

• More reward

• More love for the Sunnah

• More humility in prayer

• A deeper connection with Rasulullah ﷺ

Perfecting Salah is not about big actions only — it is about loving the details.

May Allah allow us to pray exactly as His Messenger ﷺ prayed. Ameen. 🤲