Standing After Ruku: Qawmah in Salah

Learn how to rise correctly from Ruku, stand fully upright with calmness and recite the authentic words Sami Allahu liman hamidah and Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

What Is Qawmah In Salah?

Qawmah is the standing position after Ruku and before Sujood. It is also called I‘tidal, meaning returning to an upright and balanced position.

This part of Salah is sometimes performed too quickly. A worshipper may lift the head from Ruku and immediately begin moving towards Sujood. The authentic guidance, however, teaches that the body must return to a complete upright position and become calm before going down for prostration.

The Prophet ﷺ instructed the person who had prayed incorrectly to rise from Ruku until he was standing upright. This instruction is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 757.

How To Rise From Ruku

After completing the Tasbeeh of Ruku, begin raising the head and back calmly. Do not jerk the body upwards or move directly from a half-bowed position towards Sujood.

As you rise, say:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah.

Meaning: Allah hears and responds to the one who praises Him.

Continue rising until the back is straight, the head is upright and the body has returned to a stable standing position.

Then say:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

Meaning: Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise.

These words are established in Sahih al-Bukhari 795.

Raising The Hands

Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands when rising from Ruku and said Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal-hamd. This is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 735.

Raising the hands while rising from Ruku is therefore an authentically reported Sunnah. Recognised schools of Fiqh differ regarding its continued practice, so students should follow their qualified teacher without criticising other accepted methods.

If raising the hands, lift them calmly to approximately shoulder or ear level while the body rises. Then lower them naturally after reaching the upright position.

Who Says Which Words?

When praying alone, the worshipper normally says both:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah.

And:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

When leading congregational prayer, the Imam says Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah while rising. The people praying behind the Imam respond with Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

The Prophet ﷺ instructed the followers that when the Imam says Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah, they should say Allahumma Rabbana lakal-hamd. This teaching appears in Sahih al-Bukhari 796.

There are recognised details among schools of Fiqh concerning the wording recited by an Imam, follower or person praying alone. Follow a qualified teacher and avoid turning accepted differences into disputes.

THE MEANING OF SAMI‘ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH

The word Sami‘a literally relates to hearing, but Allah’s hearing is perfect and unlike the hearing of His creation. In this supplication, the meaning also carries acceptance and response.

The phrase teaches that Allah hears every sincere expression of praise, whether spoken loudly or quietly. He knows the gratitude present within the heart and is never unaware of His servant.

Liman hamidah means the one who praises Him. Therefore, the phrase reminds the worshipper that sincere praise is heard and accepted by Allah.

The Meaning Of Rabbana Wa Lakal-Hamd

Rabbana means our Lord: the One who created, sustains, guides and cares for us.

Wa laka means and for You alone.

Al-hamd means all complete praise and gratitude.

Together, the words mean:

Our Lord, all praise belongs to You.

This response should not be treated as an empty sentence. Remember Allah’s blessings, guidance, forgiveness, provision and mercy while saying it.

Stand Completely Upright

Abu Humaid al-Sa‘idi described how the Prophet ﷺ stood after Ruku until every part of the spine returned to its proper position. This description is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 828.

The correct sequence is:

1. Complete the Ruku Tasbeeh.
2. Begin rising calmly.
3. Say Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah.
4. Return the head, neck and back to an upright position.
5. Become stable while standing.
6. Say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.
7. Remain still long enough to complete the praise.
8. Move towards Sujood only after Qawmah is complete.

Do not remain partially bent. The body should return to the normal standing posture according to physical ability.

TUMA’NINAH DURING QAWMAH

Tuma’ninah means calmness, stillness and settling in a prayer position. It is required during Qawmah just as it is required during Ruku and Sujood.

Sahih al-Bukhari 757 records the Prophet’s instruction to rise until standing upright. This means Qawmah cannot be reduced to a passing movement.

A practical way to achieve calmness is to ensure that the words Rabbana wa lakal-hamd can be recited comfortably after the body becomes upright.

Do not begin descending for Sujood while the body is still rising or while the praise remains unfinished.

Position Of The Body

During Qawmah:

Keep the head upright.

Keep the back straight.

Allow the shoulders to return to their natural position.

Stand evenly on both feet.

Avoid leaning forward in preparation for Sujood.

Avoid excessive backward leaning.

Keep the body relaxed but dignified.

Remain facing the Qiblah.

A person with a medical condition should stand according to genuine ability and should not force a painful posture.

Position Of The Hands

Scholars have discussed whether the hands should be folded again or left at the sides after rising from Ruku. This is a recognised Fiqh difference.

Students should follow the consistent method taught by their qualified teacher. The issue should not distract from the clearly established requirements of standing upright, becoming calm and praising Allah.

Do not repeatedly change the hand position during the same prayer or criticise another worshipper who follows a recognised method.

An Extended Authentic Praise

Another authentic wording is:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ

Rabbana wa lakal-hamdu, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih.

Meaning: Our Lord, to You belongs all praise—abundant, pure and blessed praise.

Sahih al-Bukhari 799 reports that a Companion recited these words after rising from Ruku. The Prophet ﷺ said that he saw more than thirty angels competing to record them first.

This is a beautiful authentic addition. Beginners should first learn the shorter wording correctly, then gradually learn the longer praise.

Another Reported Wording

A longer form of praise includes:

مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمِلْءَ الْأَرْضِ وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ

Mil’as-samawati wa mil’al-ardi wa mil’a ma shi’ta min shay’in ba‘d.

Meaning: A praise filling the heavens, filling the earth and filling whatever else You will.

This wording expresses praise beyond human measurement. Learn longer supplications with a qualified teacher so the Arabic pronunciation and sequence remain accurate.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes:

1. Moving directly from Ruku to Sujood.
2. Remaining partially bent after rising.
3. Saying the words so quickly that they become unclear.
4. Beginning Rabbana wa lakal-hamd before becoming upright.
5. Beginning Sujood before finishing the praise.
6. Confusing Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah with Allahu Akbar.
7. Forgetting the response while praying behind an Imam.
8. Leaning forward in preparation for Sujood.
9. Making unnecessary movements with clothing or feet.
10. Looking around during the standing position.
11. Arguing about accepted differences in hand placement.
12. Treating Qawmah as an unimportant transition.

Qawmah In Congregational Prayer

When praying behind an Imam, follow the Imam without racing ahead. Begin rising after the Imam starts rising from Ruku.

Listen for:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Then respond:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Do not deliberately move before the Imam. Do not remain behind without a reason after the Imam has entered the next position.

Congregational prayer requires attentiveness, order and cooperation.

Pronunciation Practice

Practise the first phrase slowly:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ

Sami‘Allahu.

لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Liman hamidah.

Join it:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah.

Practise the response:

رَبَّنَا

Rabbana.

وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Wa lakal-hamd.

Join it:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

Ask a Quran teacher to correct the Arabic letters, particularly the ع sound and the pronunciation of ح in hamidah and hamd.

A Step-By-Step Practice Drill

Practise outside Salah:

Step 1: Enter a stable Ruku position.

Step 2: Recite Subhana Rabbiyal-‘Azim.

Step 3: Begin rising calmly.

Step 4: Say Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah.

Step 5: Raise the hands if following that Sunnah.

Step 6: Stand completely upright.

Step 7: Allow the body to become still.

Step 8: Say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

Step 9: Remain upright until the praise is complete.

Step 10: Prepare calmly for Sujood.

Repeat until there is a clear upright pause between Ruku and Sujood.

Final Checklist

Before moving to Sujood, confirm that:

You rose calmly from Ruku.

Your back and head returned upright.

You said the correct remembrance.

You became still in the standing position.

You completed Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

You did not race ahead of the Imam.

You avoided unnecessary movement.

Your heart was conscious of praising Allah.

Qawmah is a complete position of Salah, not merely a bridge between Ruku and Sujood. Performing it calmly allows the worshipper to stand upright, praise Allah sincerely and prepare with dignity for prostration.