The ruling on sending blessings upon the Prophet in the first tashahhud and sitting cross-legged in the Fajr prayer

Question:
Do you recite the blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the first tashahhud? And is it permissible for a person to sit cross-legged in the Fajr prayer?

Answer:
If one sends blessings upon the Prophet in the first prostration, that is better according to the correct view. If he omits it, there is no harm. If he stands up after the third prostration, there is no blame. If he sends blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and then stands up after the third prostration, that is better in the most correct view. The best is to follow the Sunnah in the first tashahhud, and to sit cross-legged, and to sit cross-legged; this is the best. If he sits cross-legged, there is no harm, or if it is difficult for him to rest, there is no harm. The point is that sitting cross-legged is in the last tashahhud, in the Dhuhr, 'Asr, and Maghrib prayers, and for this reason it is the best. As for the first tashahhud, the Sunnah is to sit with the left foot flat and the right foot upright, and likewise between the two prostrations, and likewise in the Fajr prayer, the Fajr and Jumu'ah prayers, sitting with the left foot flat. But if it is difficult for him, there is no harm. Sitting cross-legged without a reason is permissible. It is all a recommended practice, not an obligatory duty. Sitting with the left foot flat and sitting cross-legged are both Sunnah. So if he sits with the left foot flat in the place of sitting cross-legged, or sits cross-legged in the place of sitting with the left foot flat, there is no harm.