The shoulder (mankib): its place in ablution, prayer and bodily injury

The mankib is the joint where the arm bone meets the shoulder blade. Jurists use the word in its ordinary sense. ¹

The Hanafis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold it recommended to go beyond the required limit in washing the arms, on the report of the marks of the community on the Day of Rising. The Shafi'is give several measures; the Hanafis and Hanbalis set none. The Malikis dislike excess beyond the required place while holding the basic extension necessary. ^{1 2}

For the Hanafis, the complete hand is the original and the extra hand is washed where it lies over the required place. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis have similar rules. ^{3 4}

The Hanafis, Malikis and Hanbalis drop the washing if the hand is cut off without any of the elbow left, and wash what remains of the required place otherwise. The Shafi'is recommend washing the cut. ⁴

Jurists differ on whether the hands rise to the earlobes or to the shoulders at the opening takbir; the transitional takbirs follow the same rule. ^{4 5}

The Shafi'is and Hanbalis recommend placing the hands level with the shoulders, the Hanafis place the forehead between the palms, and the Malikis recommend the hands level with the ears or near them. ^{4 5}

Jurists agree it is recommended to straighten the rows of congregational prayer with shoulders aligned and touching, to close gaps. ^{5 6}