Rukuh (the bow in prayer): its ruling as a pillar, the calm in it, its posture, the raising of the hands, the glorifications, and the prohibition of bowing to a creature

الركوع

Rukuh (bowing) in the lexicon is inclining; in prayer it is lowering the head with the back bent in a fixed posture until the palms reach the knees. ¹ It is a pillar by agreement, from the verse 'bow and prostrate' and the hadith of the one who prays badly. ^{1 2} The majority hold the calm in it obligatory; the Hanafis hold it a duty of lesser force. ^{2 3} The minimum is the bend until the palms reach the knees; the perfect form is the back and neck level. ^{3 4} The majority have the hands raised at the bow and the takbir said as one goes down; the Hanafis raise the hands only at the opening. ^{5 6} Glorification at the bow is a sunna; its number is disputed, and recitation of the Qur'an in the bow is disliked. ^{7 8} An imam should not lengthen the bow to wait for a latecomer where it burdens the congregation, and bowing to a creature in honour is unlawful, and it is unbelief if meant as worship. ^{9 10}