I’tidal in Prayer: Correct Way to Rise from Rukuʿ

Have you ever felt uncertain during prayer, wondering if your rising movement from ruku’ was sufficiently composed? Or perhaps you often ask yourself whether the followers (makmum) should join in reciting “Sami’allahu liman hamidah” or simply remain silent, listening to the imam?

I’tidal is a part of prayer that is often underestimated due to its short duration. However, a small mistake here can have fatal consequences on the validity of our prayer. In this article, we will thoroughly dissect the rules of I’tidal, which is the seventh pillar of prayer, based on the classical fiqh textbook of the Shafi’i school, Asna Al-Matalib by Sheikh Zakariyya Al-Anshari.

Let us improve the quality of our prayers by deeply understanding its science, complete with Arabic text and its meaning to be more steadfast in practice.

What is I’tidal? Understanding the “Short Pillar” Position

I’tidal is the movement of rising from rukuk to return to the upright standing position (or the original position before the rukuk). In the sequence of prayer, this is the seventh Rukun, while its tranquility (tuma’ninah) is the eighth Rukun.

One unique point explained in the book Asna Al-Matalib is the status of I’tidal as a short pillar (rukun qashir). What is the meaning of this?

I’tidal is not the main objective, like standing to recite Al-Fatihah or prostrating. This movement functions as a separator or transition to return to the initial position before performing prostration. Due to its nature as merely a “separator,” we are prohibited from prolonging the duration of I’tidal beyond a reasonable limit.

If someone intentionally prolongs the I’tidal for the same duration as reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, and they know that it is forbidden (Ḥarām), then their prayer may be invalidated. Therefore, perform the I’tidal briefly: rise, pause for a moment, recite the recommended supplication, and then immediately prostrate.

The Importance of Tranquility (Tuma’ninah): Do Not Rush into Prostration

Many people pray like a pecking chicken moving very quickly without pause. In fiqh, this calm pause is called Tuma’ninah.

To understand the meaning of prayer and what the Arkān of prayer are, read the complete article here.

The book Asna Al-Matalib affirms that tranquility (tuma’ninah) during the I’tidal is obligatory. Your body must completely cease movement. The limbs must return to their position while standing, to the extent that there is a clear separation between the upward movement and the downward movement of the prostration.

Special Cases: Fainting or Shock

There is an interesting explanation in this book regarding the intention behind movements. The movement of rising from rukūʿ must be purely intended for iʿtidāl, not due to shock or another reflex.

A simple example is this: Imagine you are in ruku’, and suddenly you see a snake or poisonous animal on the floor exactly where your forehead will be placed for sujud. Because of the shock and fear, you spontaneously jump or lift your head away. Is this movement of lifting your head due to fear of the snake counted as I’tidal?

Answer: No.

This is because there is a “diverter” (ṣārif [صارف]) in the form of fear underlying the movement. You are obligated to return to the bowing (rukūʿ) position, then rise again with a pure intention to perform Iʿtidāl.

Complete Prayer of I’tidal (Arabic and Latin)

This is the most frequently asked question. What is the order of recitation and who recites it? Let us clarify this based on the text Asna Al-Matalib.

1. When Rising (From Bowing)

It is recommended to raise both hands (like when saying the Takbiratul Iḥrām) simultaneously with raising the head. During this upward movement, we say:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami‘allāhu liman ḥamidah

Meaning: “Allah is All-Hearing (accepting the praise) of those who praise Him.

This rule applies to the Imam, the followers (Makmum), and those who pray alone (Munfarid).

There is indeed a ḥadīth that reads “If the Imām says Sami’allahu… then say Rabbana…”. However, the Shāfi’ī scholars explain that this ḥadīth does not forbid the followers (makmūm) from saying Sami’allahu. The ḥadīth only emphasizes the part Rabbana because usually the Imām’s voice is not heard when reading that part (in a whisper/quietly), while Sami’allahu is read aloud (jahar) by the Imām.

So, the order for the followers is:

1. The Imam recites aloud: “Sami‘allāhu liman ḥamidah”
2. The follower reads slowly (when rising from bowing): “Sami’allahu liman hamidah”
3. Once standing, the Imam and the congregation both recite the following prayer.

2. When Standing Upright (Having Achieved Tranquility)

Once the body is fully upright and the hands are released to the sides (they may be straightened or folded again, although the Shafi’i school of thought generally recommends straightening the hands/irsal), recite the prayer of praise.

There are several valid variations in recitation, the most well-known of which are:

رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbanā laka al-ḥamd

Meaning: “Our Lord, all praise is to You.”

However, Imam Shafi’i in his book Al-Umm preferred a variation with the addition of the letter “Wa” (and):

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd

The reason is beautifully subtle: the letter “wa” (and) there combines two meanings, namely a supplication (“O Allah, accept our prayer”) and acknowledgement/praise (“And to You belongs all praise”).

Additional Recommended Supplications (Long Qunut Prayer)

For those of you who pray alone or lead a congregation who are willing to have a slightly longer prayer, it is highly recommended to perfect the I’tidal supplication. Do not rush into prostration, add the following reading after Rabbana lakal hamd:

مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمِلْءَ الْأَرْضِ وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ

Mil’a as-samāwāti wa mil’a al-arḍi wa mil’a mā shi’ta min syai’in ba‘du

Meaning: “(I praise You with all praise) As much as the heavens contain and as much as the earth contains and as much of whatever else You will.”

If you wish to make it even more perfect, add the following praise of the People of the Sunnah:

أَهْلَ الثَّنَاءِ وَالْمَجْدِ , أَحَقُّ مَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ , وَكُلُّنَا لَكَ عَبْدٌ . لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ , وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ , وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ

Ahla ath-thanā’i wa al-majdi, aḥaqqu mā qāla al-‘abdu, wa kullunā laka ‘abdun. Lā māni‘a limā a‘ṭayta, wa lā mu‘ṭiya limā mana‘ta, wa lā yanfa‘u dhā al-jaddi minka al-jaddu.

Meaning: “O You who deserve all praise and exaltation, this is the most deserving statement for a servant to utter, and we are all Your servants. Nothing can prevent what You grant, and nothing can grant what You withhold. And wealth/power will not benefit its owner (to save himself) from (Your punishment).”

Important Note for the Imam: Do not recite this lengthy prayer if the congregation behind you dislikes it or feels uncomfortable. Prolonging the prayer without the congregation’s approval is disliked (makruh). A wise Imam should be sensitive to the condition of his congregation.

Original Text Reference (Kitab Asna Al-Matalib)

To maintain the authenticity of knowledge and scientific integrity, the following is a quote from the Arabic text of the book Asna Al-Matalib Volume 1 pages 157-158 which serves as a reference for this article:

الركن السابع والثامن الاعتدال وطمأنينته : لخبر « إذا قمت إلى الصلاة » ( وليس ) الاعتدال مقصودا في نفسه ( بل للعود إلى ما كان ) عليه قبل الركوع ، وإن صلى غير قائم ولهذا عد ركنا قصيرا ( فلا يطيله ) … ( ويطمئن ) فيه ( كما سبق ) في الركوع … ( ويستحب ) له ( أن يرفع يديه كما سبق ) في تكبير الإحرام ( حين يرفع رأسه ) من الركوع … ( قائلا ) في ارتفاعه للاعتدال ( سمع الله لمن حمده )… وسواء في ذلك الإمام وغيره … ( فإن ) الأولى قول أصله فإذا ( استوى ) المصلي ( قائما أرسلهما ) أي يديه ( وقال كل ) من الإمام والمأموم ، والمنفرد ( سرا ربنا لك الحمد ¹…

Conclusion

Prayer is the pillar of religion, and paying attention to the details of its movements is a form of our adab to Allah. I’tidal may seem trivial, just a movement of rising and standing. However, within it lies the obligatory rule of tuma’ninah and beautiful prayers full of meaning.

Ensure that every time you rise from ruku’, stand with composure. Do not rush to prostrate. Absorb the meaning of Sami’allahu liman hamidah—that Allah truly hears your praise at that moment.

Hopefully, the explanation from the book Asna Al-Matalib is beneficial and can be directly practiced in our daily prayers. Don’t forget to share this article with family and friends so that all of our prayers become more quality.

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