Ruku, the bowing
What to do, what to say.
After finishing your recitation, you bow forward. This is called ruku. You say Allahu akbar as you bend, then go into position.
What the bow looks like
- Back flat, not arched, not slumped. A glass of water on your back should sit level.
- Head in line with the back, not raised, not dropped.
- Hands on your knees, fingers spread.
- Feet shoulder-width, knees straight or with a slight natural bend.
You are not folded double. You are bowed about 90 degrees. Comfortable, still, attentive. The Prophet ﷺ taught that the movements in prayer should be calm and settled, not rushed. One hadith calls rushing the worst kind of theft, stealing from your own prayer (Musnad Ahmad 22642).
What to say in ruku
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ“Subhana rabbiyal adheem.”— Sunan Abi Dawud 871
Glory to my Lord, the Most Great. Three times is standard. You can say it more if you want, always in odd numbers. The minimum is once with presence, not rushed.
Standing up from ruku
You stand up from ruku saying sami'a Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him). When you are fully standing, you say rabbana wa lakal hamd (Our Lord, to You belongs all praise). The first is what the imam says loudly in congregation, the second is what everyone says.
When praying alone, you say both yourself. Out loud is fine, quietly is fine.
Practice the bow once today. Bend over at the waist, back flat. Say subhana rabbiyal adheem out loud three times. Stand up. You now know the ruku.
- [1]Sunan Abi Dawud 871
- [2]Sahih Muslim 478. Description of the Prophet's ruku.