Section: Bowing (ruku') does not stand in the place of prostration (sujud). Abu Hanifa said: It stands in its place as a recommendation, based on the saying of the Almighty: "And he fell down bowing and turned in repentance" (28). Our argument is that it is a prescribed prostration, therefore bowing does not [stand in its place], just like the prostration of prayer. As for the verse, the intended meaning is prostration, because He said: "And he fell down (kharra)," and one does not say of the one bowing that he "fell down." It is only narrated from David - peace be upon him - that he performed prostration, not bowing, except that he expressed it as bowing, [noting that the prostration of Surah Sad is not among the prescribed prostrations requiring a specific ruling] (30). [And if it were assumed that David bowed in reality, there would be no argument in it; because David only did that in repentance, not for the prostration of recitation] (31).

Section: (32) If one recites a prostration verse during prayer at the end of a surah, if he wishes, he may bow; and if he wishes, he may prostrate, then stand up [and recite something from the Quran, then bow. Or if he wishes, he may prostrate, then stand up and bow without recitation. Ahmad stipulated this, and this is the opinion of Ibn Mas'ud] (33), Rabi' ibn Khuthaym (34), Ishaq, the scholars of opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y), and it is similar to what is narrated from 'Alqama, 'Amr ibn Sharhabil (35), and Masruq. Masruq said: 'Abdullah said: If one of you recites a surah at the end of which is a prostration, let him bow if he wishes, and if he wishes let him prostrate; for the bowing is with the prostration. And if he prostrates, let him recite a surah when he stands up, then let him bow. It was narrated from 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he recited the surah of al-Najm, prostrated in it, then stood up and recited another surah.