Is sitting for a brief rest (Jalsat al-Istiraha) after rising from the second prostration required?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
There are two narrations from Ahmad regarding whether to sit for rest. The first narration states that sitting is not done. This is the chosen position of Al-Kharqi and is attributed to Umar, Ali, Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Umar, and Ibn Abbas. Malik, Ath-Thawri, Ishaq, and the Ashab ar-Ra'y hold this view, and Ahmad stated that most hadiths support this. It is reported that many Companions acted this way, and this practice is considered the established action by scholars, referred to as the Sunnah.
Supporting text
The second narration states that one should sit. Al-Khallal chose this view, and it is one of the two positions attributed to Ash-Shafi'i. It is reported that Ahmad later returned to this view, supported by the hadith of Malik ibn Al-Huwayrith, where the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sat when he rose his head from prostration before rising. This hadith is agreed upon and mentioned in describing the Prophet's prayer. Some reconcile these views by stating that a weak person sits due to need, while a strong person does not, interpreting the Prophet's sitting as occurring in his later life due to old age and weakness.