What are the views of the four Madhāhib regarding the position of a female’s forearm while in Sajdah?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam has prohibited men from spreading their arms on the ground like a dog while in Sajdah. This prohibition is specific to men and does not extend to females. Consider the Hadīth recorded by Imām Muslim Rahimahullāh:

Nabī (Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallalm) prohibited that a man should spread his arms (in Sadjah)like a dog spreads its arms.

Sahīh Muslim

In fact, there are many Ahādīth that prove that a female should keep herself contracted while in Sajdah. Consider the following Ahādīth:

“When you make prostration, keep your body attached to the ground because a woman has not been created like a man”

Marāsīl Li Abī Dāwūd

Alî (Radhiyallahu Anhu) says, “When a woman prostrates, she must practise ihtifâz and keep her thighs close to her stomach.”

Musannaf Abd al-Razzāq

“Ibrâhîm رحمه الله says that when a woman prostrates, she should join her thighs to her stomach without raising her posterior and without stretching her limbs out like a male.”

Al-Sunan al-Kubra Lil Baihaqī

Hence, women should conceal their bodies as far as possible in Salāh. Women should contract themselves in the various postures of Salāh. In Sajdah they should not keep their elbows standing upright. This is the view of all four Madhāhib.[1] Consider the following texts:

Hanafi Madhab

And a woman will contract herself in her Ruku’ and her Sajdah. She will spread her forearms on the ground (in Sajdah).

Raddul Muhtār

Shāfi’ Madhab

And in Majmū’, a text from al-Umm is quoted saying, “A female will contract herself in the complete Salāh. In other words, her elbows will be on her sides.

Hāshiyah al-Shīrānwī

Mālikī Madhab

It is preferred for the female to contract herself in such a way that her stomach is attached to her thighs and her elbows are attached to her knees (in Sajdah).

Hāshiyah al-Dasūqī

Hambalī Madhab

A female should contract herself in Rukū’ and Sajdah.

Sharh Muntaha al-Irādāt

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.