e hands are placed towards the Qibla. The
fingers are slightly separated from each other. In this position the
Musalli says:--"Allahu Akbar!"

The Qiam, or standing position. The palm of the right hand being placed on
the back of the left, the thumb and little finger of the former seize the
wrist of the latter. Both hands are then placed below the navel,[192] the
eyes are {195} directed towards the spot where the head of the worshipper
will touch the ground in prostration, and the Sana is said. It is:--

"Holiness to Thee O God! and praise be to Thee!
Great is Thy name! Great is thy Greatness!
There is no God but Thee!"

The Ta'awwuz is then said:--

"I seek refuge near God from cursed Satan."

Then follows the Tasmiyah:--

"In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful."

Then follows the Fatiha,[193] or first chapter of the Quran:--

"Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds! the Compassionate, the Merciful!
King on the day of reckoning! Thee only do we worship, and to Thee do we
cry for help. Guide Thou us on the straight path: the path of those to whom
Thou hast been gracious: with whom Thou art not angry, and who go not
astray."

After this the worshipper can repeat as many chapters of the Quran as he
likes.[194] Some verses he must repeat.

The Surat-ul-Ikhlas (Sura 112) is generally said:--

"Say: He is God alone: God the Eternal, He begetteth not, and is not
begotten; and there is none like unto Him."

The Takbir-i-ruku'--Allahu Akbar!--is said whilst the Musalli makes an
inclination of the head and body, and separating the fingers a little,
places his hands upon his knees.

The Tasbih-i-ruku' is said in the same position. It is:--

"I extol the holiness of my Lord, the Great!
I extol the holiness of my Lord, the Great!
I extol the holiness of my Lord, the Great!"

The Tasmia' is then said with the body erect, but with the hands placed on
either side. Thus:--

{196}

"God hears him who praises Him: O Lord, Thou art praised[195]."

The Takbir-i-Sijdar--Allahu Akbar!--is said as the worshipper drops on his
knees.

The Musalli then kneeling down, places his hands, with the fingers close to
each other, upon the ground. He must rest upon his toes, not on the side of
the feet which must be kept straight behind him. The elbow must not touch
the side, nor the stomach the thigh, nor the thigh the calf of the leg. The
eyes must be kept bent downwards. Then he touches the ground first