In what order should the knees and hands touch the ground when descending into prostration?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is recommended, according to the prominent view of the school, that the forehead and nose touch the ground. Furthermore, the prevalent view holds that the knees should be placed on the ground before the hands. This position is reported from Umar, Muslim bin Yasar, Al-Nakha'i, Abu Hanifa, Al-Thawri, and Al-Shafi'i. This is supported by the narration of Wail ibn Hujr, who saw the Prophet place his knees before his hands when prostrating, and raise his hands before his knees when rising. This narration is considered sounder than the narration from Abu Hurayrah.
Supporting text
Another narration from Ahmad suggests placing the hands before the knees, a view held by Malik, supported by the narration of Abu Hurayrah prohibiting kneeling like a camel. Furthermore, a narration from Abu Sa'eed indicates that an earlier practice of placing hands before knees was abrogated by the command to place knees first.