Placing the hand on the hip (takhassur)

Takhassur is placing the hand on the side of the hip. In prayer most jurists hold it disliked as a matter of taste, and the Hanafis hold it disliked as unlawful. ^{1 2}

In Arabic, takhassur means placing the hand on the hip, and a makhsara is a staff or similar thing one leans on. A narration forbids praying in the manner of mukhtasir or mutakhassir; some explain it as praying with the hand on the side. ¹ A saying that such posture in prayer is the rest of the people of the Fire is explained by Ibn Manzur as a rest the worshipper takes in this world, not rest in the Fire; al-Dhahabi graded the saying weak. ¹

Most jurists hold takhassur in prayer disliked as a matter of taste. The Hanafis hold it disliked as unlawful, because it departs from the transmitted form of prayer and imitates the proud. ¹ When the worshipper has a need, such as pain in his side or fatigue from night prayer, it is allowed to the extent of the need. ² Sa'id ibn Ziyad reports that he placed his hand on his hip beside Ibn Umar, who said after prayer that this is the "spine" of prayer and that the Prophet ﷺ forbade it. The book's footnote records al-Iraqi's grading of the narration as sound. ²

Takhassur outside prayer is disliked as a matter of taste, in Hanafi texts, because it is the manner of the proud. ² Leaning on a staff during prayer is treated under the entry on istinad. ²

The Malikis recommend that the preacher lean on a staff during the Friday sermon, holding it in the right hand. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis count it a sunna of the sermon; the Shafi'is prefer the left hand holding it and the right hand on the edge of the pulpit. ³ The Hanafis dislike leaning on a bow or staff during the sermon. ³ The majority rely on the narration of al-Hakam ibn Hazn that the Prophet stood leaning on a sword, a bow or a staff; Ibn Hajar graded it fair in al-Talkhis. ³