What is the ruling on bending the knees during bowing (ruku') and not extending them completely, and does that affect the validity of the prayer? And what is the ruling on what I did, where it was most likely that I bent my knees slightly during ruku' after rising from it, and forgot whether I stood upright after this raising, then returned to ruku' and bent slightly, then quickly rose from it again? And what is the ruling on deliberately leaving a small amount of 'awrah (private parts) uncovered during prayer, according to common understanding, and does that invalidate the prayer? And is it permissible to deliberately not cover a small amount of 'awrah during prayer?
The sufficient limit for bowing (ruku') is to bend so that the hands can touch the knees. Bending the knees slightly does not affect it if the sufficient amount of bowing is achieved. Returning to bowing after rising from it is a mistake, but it does not invalidate the prayer if it was due to forgetfulness or ignorance, and it requires prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd as-sahw). The 'awrah of a woman in prayer is her entire body except for the face and the palms of the hands. Intentionally exposing even a small part of it invalidates the prayer, unlike when it is uncovered due to forgetfulness or ignorance.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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