Why do we look at the feet and lap during ruku and sajdah?

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

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

1) Almighty Allah Ta’āla says in the Quran Kareem:

Translation: Certainly, the believers have succeeded: They, who are during their prayer humbly submissive. (Surah Al-Mu'minun: 1,2)

We are advised to perform Salah with Khushhoo’. Khushoo’ means to be submissive, humble, sincere and heartfelt. In order to attain Khushoo in our Salah, one should adopt all possible means to concentrate in ones Salah and avoid all possible distractions.

Translation: I asked Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalllam) about looking hither and thither in prayer. He replied, "It is a way of stealing by which Shaitaan takes away (a portion) from the prayer of a person." (Sahih Al- Bukhari: 751)

Accordingly, The Fuqahaa’ have advised us to look at the feet during Ruku and the lap during Tashahud as this is a means of concentration in Salah and avoiding distractions in Salah.

2) The correct method in raising the index finger during Tashahud is

Bring the little finger and the ring finger together.

The middle finger and the thumb should touch one another to make a circle.

Raise the index finger when saying “La Ilaaha” (negating all divinity except Allah) and drop the index finger when saying “Il lallah” (acknowledging that Allah is the only divinity), by placing one’s index finger on top of the thumb and the middle finger.[i]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Hasan Abdur Razzak

Student - Darul Iftaa

Paterson, New Jersey USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

26-12-1440| 27-08-2019