Worship & Rituals
Jalsa
Jalsah
The seated position in prayer — between two prostrations, and during Tashahhud. A brief but essential moment for supplication and reflection.
What is Jalsa in Prayer?
Jalsa (Arabic جلسة, "a sitting") is the seated posture in the Islamic prayer. Two forms are performed in each unit of prayer: the brief sitting between the two prostrations (julus bayn al-sajdatayn), and the longer sitting for the Tashahhud in the middle and final positions of the prayer.
How to Perform Jalsa
Two main postures are known from the Sunnah:
- Iftirash: sitting on the left foot laid flat, with the right foot upright and toes pointing to the Qibla. This is the ordinary sitting for all sittings except the final one in a prayer of three or four rakahs.
- Tawarruk: sitting with the left foot placed under the right shin so one rests on the left buttock. Used in the final tashahhud of a three- or four-rakah prayer according to the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools; the Hanafi and Maliki schools have different preferences.
What to Say and Do
- Between the two prostrations, it is Sunnah to say: Rabbi ighfir lī, Rabbi ighfir lī ("My Lord, forgive me") — and add warhamnī, wa-jburnī, wa-hdinī, wa-'āfinī, wa-rzuqnī if wished.
- In the tashahhud sittings, the at-tahiyyatu lillāh... supplication is recited, followed by salawat on the Prophet ﷺ in the final tashahhud, and any desired personal du'a before the closing salam.
Ruling
The sitting between the two prostrations and the final tashahhud sitting are both required in the Sunni schools; opinions differ on whether they are pillars (arkan) or obligatory acts (wajibat). The middle tashahhud sitting in a three- or four-rakah prayer is Sunnah in the Hanafi school and Wajib in others — its omission is corrected by sujud al-sahw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip the sitting between the two prostrations if I am tired?
No — even a brief pause of tranquillity (tuma'ninah) is required. The Prophet ﷺ corrected a companion who prayed without settling between postures, saying "Return and pray, for you have not prayed" (Bukhari 6251).
What if I mix up Iftirash and Tawarruk?
The prayer is valid — both are Sunnah postures. Correcting to the preferred posture is meritorious but not required for validity.
Etymology & origin
From the Arabic root j-l-s (to sit). "Jalsa" means a sitting or session; in prayer terminology it denotes any of the seated postures within the ritual.
References
- Quran:
- ["Al-Baqarah 2:238 — Guard strictly the prayers and stand devout"]
- Hadith:
- ["Bukhari 6251 — Return and pray, for you have not prayed","Muslim 498 — Description of the Prophet's sitting","Bukhari 828 — The Prophet's tawarruk in the final tashahhud"]
Related terms
Sajdah
The prostration in Salah where seven body parts (forehead, nose, palms, knees, toes) touch the ground; the closest position to Allah.
Salah (Islamic Prayer)
The second pillar of Islam: ritual worship performed five times daily, consisting of specific recitations, bowing and prostrations facing the Kaaba.
Salam (Closing)
The closing 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah' that ends the prayer — turning first to the right, then to the left. Exits the sacred state of ihram entered by Takbiratul Ihram.
Tahiyyat
The at-Tahiyyat supplication recited in the sitting position of prayer, beginning 'At-tahiyyatu lillah…'. Taught by the Prophet ﷺ during the Night of Ascension (Miraj).
Tashahhud
The seated recitation in the middle and end of Salah testifying to Allah's oneness and Muhammad's ﷺ prophethood ("At-tahiyyatu lillah...").