ILM AL-HÂL

147 the end of Sûrah Al-Fâtihah. After Sûrah Al-Fâtihah, read an additional Sûrah or a long Âyah (verse) equal to the length of a short Sûrah. After that, release your hands to the sides and bow down for Rukû’ while saying Allâhu Akbar. In the bowing position, a male holds the knees with the hands, the fingers being spread apart, putting the head and the back at the same level (ILLUSTRATION: 5). A female does not bow for prostration as low as a male does (ILLUSTRATION: 6). During Rukû’, read the Tasbîh at least three times with this expression: “Subhâna Rabb’iyal athîm”. In the bowing position, fix your eyes on the toes, but do not lower your head and keep it level. Then rise from Rukû’ reading: “Sami’allâhu liman-hamidah” and “Rabbanâ laka-l hamd. When your body is at ease in standing position, go into Sajdah, with the utterance of Allâhu Akbar. When going into Sajdah, first the knees are placed on the ground, then the hands and then the head. In Sajdah, the forehead and the nose should feel the hardness of the ground. The hands and the toes are directed towards the Qiblah. In Sajdah, a male holds his elbows away from his sides and keeps his abdomen away from his thighs, the fingers and the toes being directed towards Qiblah (ILLUSTRATION: 7). On the other hand, a female does the opposite of this. She lowers her body, joining her abdomen with her thighs and keeps the elbows close to the sides. She does not