How to perform Ruku and prostration properly

In Ruku, the knees should be grasped with all the fingers spread.  The hands should be straight.  The head, back and the buttocks should all be in line.  The gaze should be on the feet.  Then either 3 or 5 or greater, but in odd numbers, "Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem" should be recited.  Then with the recitation of "Sami’allahu Liman Hamida," one should stand up straight.  At this time, the hands should be by the sides.  At least for the time taken to recite 1 Tasbeeh, one should stand like this only.  Then with the saying of the Takbeer, one should perform the prostration (Prostration) in such a way that with “Alif” of the Takbeer, one bends and goes into the prostration with the last "Ra" of the Takbeer.  While going into prostration, first the knees should touch the ground, then the palms and then the nose.  The forehead should be placed between the palms in such a way that the palms should be alongside the earlobes.  In the prostration, the toes should be planted on the ground.  The arms should be separate from the armpits, the stomach and the ankles from the thighs and the elbows from the ground.  The fingers and toes should be all together and pointing towards the Qiblah i.e. the Ka'aba.

 

The gaze should be at the nose.  Then "Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem" should be recited 3 or 5 times (i.e. odd number).  Then one should get up with the Takbeer.

 

In prostration, it is necessary that the face (the forehead and the nose), both the palms, both knees and both feet touch the ground.  Out of these, the forehead and at least 1 finger of any foot is Fardh (obligatory).

 

The meaning of the word "Sajdah" is to bow with humility and to touch forehead on the ground.  The prostration is to respect and bow to the greatness of the Lord Almighty Allah Most High and lifting both legs off the ground is more akin to some kind of play than respect, which is against the spirit of respect.  As given in Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 1, Pg. No: 330.

 

Imam Rafa’i (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has written in At Tahreer Al Mukhtaar Li Radd Ul Muhtaar:

 

Touching 1 finger of any foot is enough to complete the obligation.  If in prostration, if both the feet are lifted off the ground and not even 1 finger of any foot is not on the ground then the prostration will not be correct as per the Shariah and the Salaat will be rendered invalid.  (At Tahreer Al Mukhtaar Li Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 1, Pg. No: 56)

 

It is Mustahab to recite the Tasbeeh in Ruku or prostration 3, 5 or 7 times or more, but in odd number.  The Imam should be considerate of those who are following him in Salaat and recite the Tasbeeh odd number of times.

 

If somebody cannot stand and offer Salaat, then the Shariah excuses that person and gives permission to offer even obligatory Salaat in a sitting position.  In this case, the perfect way to perform Ruku is that the head should be at the level of the knees.  However, if the head and the back are also bent, the Ruku is considered valid.  As given Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 1, Kitab Us Salaat.