What is the prescribed manner of sitting for voluntary prayer when praying seated?
Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is recommended for one performing voluntary prayer while seated to adopt the position of *mutarabi'an* (cross-legged) during the standing portions. This is related from Ibn Umar, Anas, Ibn Sirin, Mujahid, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, Malik, ath-Thawri, ash-Shafi'i, and Ishaq. Abu Hanifa holds the same view as ours, though another narration states he may sit however he wishes. The basis for adopting the cross-legged posture is that while standing is contradicted by sitting, the posture for sitting should similarly contradict the posture of standing prayer, and this manner is further removed from potential error or confusion. This prescribed posture is recommended, not obligatory, as no evidence demands its obligation.
Supporting text
Some narrations from Ibn al-Musayyib, Urwah, and Ibn Umar suggest sitting in any manner, based on the reasoning that since standing is waived, its specific posture is also waived. Some earlier scholars like Ibn al-Musayyib, Urwah, Ibn Sirin, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, and ‘Ata’ al-Khurassani were reported to practice *ihtiba'* (tucking knees up) during voluntary prayer.