Definition of Sitting in Prayer
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question Summary
What is the definition of sitting (jalsa) in the context of prayer (according to the Shafi’i School)? In other words, how does one know one is in a position that is considered sitting?
Question Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah guide us to that which pleases Him, Amin.
Sitting in the Infirash Position
The ifirash is to place the left foot on its side and sit upon it while keeping the right foot resting on the bottom of its toes, with the heel up. [Misri, ‘Umda Al-Salik]
Sitting in the Iq’a’Position
There is another acceptable way of sitting back between the two prostrations, or at the first and second Testifications of Faith:
Iq’a’: Means sitting back on the heels with the bottom of the toes, and the knees, upon the ground. Sitting in the iq’a’ position is recommended between the two prostrations, though iftirash is better. [ibid.]
Sitting in the Tawarruk Position
At the end of one’s prayer, one sits for the ‘Testification of Faith (tashahhud),’ in the tawarruk style of seating.
Tawarruk: Means to sit with one’s (left) posterior on the ground and left foot on its side, emerging from under right, which is vertical. [ibid.]
I pray this is of benefit.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
