Squatting with arms around the knees (ihtiba')

احتباء

Ihtiba' in the lexicon is sitting on the buttocks with the thighs drawn to the belly and held by a cloth or the hands; the jurists use it in the same sense. ¹ It differs from iq'a, sitting on the buttocks with the knees raised, in that ihtiba' involves drawing both thighs and knees and holding them. ¹ Outside prayer it is lawful unless accompanied by something forbidden, such as exposure of the private parts; it is better left during the sermon and while waiting for prayer. ¹