Sitting Between Two Sujoods in Salah

Learn how to sit calmly between the two Sujoods, follow the authentic sitting posture and recite Rabbighfir li with its meaning and verified Sahih evidence.

What Is Sitting Between The Two Sujoods?

Every Rak‘ah normally contains two prostrations. After completing the first Sujood, the worshipper rises into a sitting position before performing the second Sujood.

This sitting is commonly called Jalsah Baynas-Sajdatayn, meaning the sitting between the two prostrations. It is a complete position of Salah and should not be treated as a quick movement from one prostration to another.

The Prophet ﷺ instructed the person who had prayed incorrectly to rise from prostration and sit with calmness before performing the next movement. This guidance is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 757.

How To Rise From The First Sujood

After completing the Tasbeeh and Dua of the first Sujood, raise the head while saying:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar.

Meaning: Allah is the Greatest.

Move calmly and allow the forehead, nose and hands to rise from the ground. Bring the body into an upright sitting position.

Do not remain leaning heavily forward and do not immediately fall into the second Sujood. The back should become upright according to physical ability and the body should settle before the supplication is recited.

The Authentic Sitting Posture

Sahih Muslim 498 describes the Prophet ﷺ placing his left foot flat and keeping the right foot upright while sitting.

A commonly taught method is:

1. Sit upon the left foot.
2. Keep the right foot upright.
3. Direct the toes of the right foot towards the Qiblah as reasonably possible.
4. Keep the body balanced.
5. Place the hands naturally upon the thighs or knees.
6. Sit upright without leaning excessively.
7. Remain calm before performing the second Sujood.

This posture is often called Iftirash. A student should learn it gradually without forcing the ankles, knees or toes into pain.

Position Of The Left Foot

Lay the left foot along the ground and sit upon it. The foot provides support beneath the body.

Avoid placing excessive pressure on one small part of the ankle. Adjust gently within the boundaries of the taught posture if discomfort develops.

People have different levels of flexibility. A beginner may require practice before the sitting position becomes comfortable.

Position Of The Right Foot

Keep the right foot upright where physically possible. The toes should be directed towards the Qiblah as reasonably as possible.

Do not force stiff toes or an injured ankle into an unsafe angle. The Sunnah is followed according to genuine ability.

The right heel and ankle should remain stable so the body does not repeatedly rock from side to side.

Position Of The Hands

Place the right hand naturally on the right thigh or knee and the left hand on the left thigh or knee.

Keep the fingers relaxed and directed naturally forward. Do not clench the fists or repeatedly move the fingers without reason.

The hands help maintain balance, but avoid pressing so heavily that the shoulders become tense.

Position Of The Back And Head

Raise the back into an upright sitting posture. Do not remain folded forward as though still in Sujood.

Keep the head balanced and the gaze controlled. Avoid looking around or turning towards other worshippers.

The shoulders should remain relaxed. Sit with dignity rather than stiffness.

Calmness Is Essential

Sahih al-Bukhari 757 instructs the worshipper to sit until calmness is achieved. This calmness is called Tuma’ninah.

The body should reach the sitting position, become stable and remain there long enough to recite the supplication clearly.

Sahih al-Bukhari 792 reports that the Prophet’s Ruku, Sujood, sitting between the two prostrations and standing after Ruku were approximately similar in duration, apart from the longer Qiyam and final sitting.

This Hadith clearly shows that the sitting between Sujoods was not an instant or careless movement.

What To Recite Between The Two Sujoods

An authentically reported supplication is:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li.

Meaning: My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

This wording is reported in Sunan an-Nasa’i 1145 and graded Sahih. The same wording is also reported in Sunan Ibn Majah 897 and graded Sahih.

These two independent Sahih-graded references strengthen the evidence for this simple and meaningful supplication.

Recite It Clearly

Divide the wording into small sections:

رَبِّ

Rabbi.

Meaning: My Lord.

اغْفِرْ لِي

Ighfir li.

Meaning: Forgive me.

Then join it:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbighfir li.

Repeat it:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li.

Do not rush the Arabic until its letters become unclear. Pay attention to the doubled letter in Rabbi and the correct pronunciation of the غ in ighfir.

The Meaning Of Seeking Forgiveness

When saying Rabbighfir li, the worshipper directly asks Allah for forgiveness.

This includes asking Allah to:

Forgive known and unknown sins.

Cover mistakes and shortcomings.

Protect the servant from returning to sin.

Accept sincere repentance.

Purify the heart.

Correct weaknesses in worship.

The supplication is short, but its meaning covers one of the greatest needs of every believer.

Sincerity During The Supplication

Avoid reciting Rabbighfir li as an automatic sound without reflection.

Remember that every person depends upon Allah’s forgiveness. Even when a believer performs good deeds, those deeds contain shortcomings that require Allah’s mercy.

The sitting position creates a calm moment between two prostrations in which the worshipper can recognise personal weakness and ask the Lord for forgiveness.

Moving Into The Second Sujood

After completing the sitting and its supplication, say:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar.

Move calmly towards the second Sujood. Place the body on the seven prostration points according to the method learned in the previous lesson.

Do not begin moving before completing Rabbighfir li. Do not fall forward suddenly or place the face on the ground without control.

The second Sujood should have the same calmness and care as the first.

Following The Imam

During congregational prayer, do not rise from the first Sujood before the Imam.

Follow the Imam calmly:

The Imam raises from Sujood.

You raise after him.

Sit until the Imam moves towards the second Sujood.

Then follow him without racing ahead.

Do not remain unnecessarily behind and do not perform the movements before the Imam.

Recognised Differences

Muslim scholars have discussed some details of the sitting posture and additional supplications.

The lesson uses the short wording Rabbighfir li because it has multiple explicitly Sahih-graded references.

Students should follow a reliable qualified teacher for secondary Fiqh details and should not argue over recognised differences.

The clearly established essentials are:

Rise from the first Sujood.

Sit upright.

Become calm.

Ask Allah for forgiveness.

Then enter the second Sujood.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes:

1. Moving directly from the first Sujood into the second.
2. Failing to sit upright.
3. Remaining heavily leaned forward.
4. Reciting Rabbighfir li before the body becomes stable.
5. Rushing the words until they become unclear.
6. Beginning the second Sujood before completing the supplication.
7. Lifting the body only slightly from the ground.
8. Making unnecessary hand or foot movements.
9. Sitting in a painful posture despite a genuine medical condition.
10. Racing ahead of the Imam.
11. Looking around during the sitting.
12. Treating the position as an unimportant pause.
13. Using unverified supplications without checking their grading.
14. Criticising accepted differences in secondary posture details.

Physical Difficulties And Concessions

A person with knee, ankle, hip or back problems should sit according to genuine physical ability.

If sitting on the left foot causes harm, use a safe alternative posture while following guidance from a qualified scholar.

A person praying on a chair should become upright after indicating the first Sujood, remain calm, recite the supplication and then indicate the second Sujood.

Islam does not require a person to cause injury. Concessions should be used honestly and according to actual need.

A Step-By-Step Practice Drill

Practise this sequence outside Salah:

Step 1: Begin in the first Sujood.

Step 2: Complete Subhana Rabbiyal-A‘la.

Step 3: Say Allahu Akbar.

Step 4: Raise the head and body calmly.

Step 5: Sit upon the left foot where physically possible.

Step 6: Keep the right foot upright.

Step 7: Place the hands on the thighs or knees.

Step 8: Straighten the back.

Step 9: Become completely still.

Step 10: Recite Rabbighfir li twice.

Step 11: Say Allahu Akbar.

Step 12: Move calmly into the second Sujood.

Repeat until there is a clear and peaceful sitting position between both prostrations.

Final Checklist

Before entering the second Sujood, confirm that:

You rose with Allahu Akbar.

Your body reached a complete sitting position.

You became still and calm.

Your left foot supports the sitting posture where possible.

Your right foot is upright where possible.

Your hands rest naturally on the thighs or knees.

You recited Rabbighfir li clearly.

You understood that you were asking Allah for forgiveness.

You did not race ahead of the Imam.

You completed the supplication before moving.

Sitting between the two Sujoods is a meaningful and independent position of Salah. When performed with correct posture, calmness and sincere Istighfar, it becomes a powerful moment of humility and hope in Allah’s forgiveness.