Is it permissible for a worshiper to keep both feet upright when sitting for the Tashahhud? Please mention the evidence and sayings of scholars, if available.
Scholars have differed on the recommended posture for sitting during the two tashahhuds, presenting four views:
1. Hanafis: It is sunnah for a man to sit in iftirash (resting on the left foot with the right foot upright) and for a woman to sit in tawarruk (resting on the buttocks with the left foot extended and the right foot upright) in all sittings. 2. Malikis: It is sunnah to sit in tawarruk in all sittings of the prayer for both men and women. 3. Hanbalis: It is sunnah to sit in tawarruk in the final tashahhud of prayers that have two tashahhuds, and iftirash in all other sittings. 4. Shafi'is: One should sit in tawarruk in every final tashahhud without exception, and in iftirash in all other sittings.
The closest view to the Sunnah is that of the Hanbalis, based on the hadith of Abu Humaid al-Sa’idi, which describes the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sitting during the two rak'ahs on his left foot with the right foot upright (iftirash), and in the last rak'ah, he would extend his left foot, keep the other upright, and sit on his buttocks (tawarruk).
It is permissible to sit with both feet upright between the two prostrations (iq'a') and this is from the Sunnah. Ibn Abbas interpreted this as the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, which is for the worshipper to place their buttocks on their heels between the two prostrations, unlike the disliked iq'a' which resembles the sitting of a dog.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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