the mode of sitting is recommended, not obligatory, as no evidence has been transmitted to mandate it. As for his statement: "And he shall bend his legs during the bowing and prostrating," it has been narrated from Anas. Ahmad said: It is narrated from Anas that he prayed cross-legged, but when he bowed, he bent his leg. This is the view of al-Thawri. Ibn al-Mundhir narrated from Ahmad and Ishaq that he does not bend his legs except in prostration specifically, and that during bowing he remains in the posture of standing. Abu al-Khattab mentioned it, and it is the view of Abu Yusuf and Muhammad. It is the more analogous view, because the posture of the one bowing regarding his legs is the posture of the one standing, so he should be in that posture. This is more correct in terms of consideration (nazar), except that Ahmad followed the action of Anas and adopted it.

Section: He has the choice in bowing and prostrating; if he wishes, he may do so from a standing position, and if he wishes, from a sitting position, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did both. 'A'ishah said: I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) pray the night prayer sitting down at all until he grew old. He would read while sitting, and when he wished to bow, he would stand up and read about thirty or forty verses, then he would bow. It is mutually agreed upon (4). From her, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to pray a long night standing, and a long night sitting. When he recited while standing, he would bow and prostrate [while standing, and when he recited while sitting, he would bow and prostrate while] (5) sitting. Narrated by Muslim (6). Al-Tirmidhi said: Both hadiths are authentic. He said: Ahmad and Ishaq said: