Is *Tawarruk* (sitting with the left thigh spread out and the right foot upright) legislated in every sitting where Tashahhud is recited?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Tawarruk is only performed in the second Tashahhud. The evidence is the Hadith of Wa'il ibn Hujr, stating that when the Prophet (PBUH) sat for the Tashahhud, he spread his left foot and set up his right foot, without distinguishing between a Tashahhud requiring salutation or not. Hadith from 'Aishah also supports spreading the left foot and setting up the right foot in every two rak'ahs. These narrations establish *Iftirash* (sitting on the left foot) as the general rule for every Tashahhud, except where specifically excluded by the Hadith of Abu Humaid regarding the second Tashahhud.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i holds that Tawarruk is recommended (*sunnah*) in every Tashahhud where one offers salutations, even if it is not the second one, such as in the Tashahhud of Fajr, Jumu'ah, or voluntary prayers, because it is a Tashahhud that is recommended to be prolonged. This is argued to be analogous to the second Tashahhud. The opposing view is based on the fact that Tawarruk in the second Tashahhud serves to differentiate it from the first; where there is only one Tashahhud, there is no ambiguity requiring differentiation.