Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that if the sitting of rest had been established, the Companions who transmitted his prayer would have transmitted it, and it would not have been specific to Malik ibn al-Huwayris.
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The questioner : Ibn al-Qaymay (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that if the sitting of rest had been established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), the Companions who transmitted the characteristics of the prayer from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would have transmitted it... and it would not have been specific to Malik ibn al-Huwayris?
The Shaykh : And by Allah, in any case, there is consideration in this. I say that this path, if Ibn al-Qaymay’s approach to it is subject to consideration, is that the Sunnah is established by the transmission of one person. However, it is apparent that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did it out of need first, because Malik ibn al-Huwayris only came to him in old age at the end of his life. Second, in Malik’s hadith, it is stated that when he wanted to stand up, he would stand up on his hands, and this indicates that he could not stand up without relying on his hands, and this does not happen except in cases of need. Therefore, some of the brothers now, when they want to stand up, they stand up on their hands like this, as if they are kneading dough. However, al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) strongly denied the hadith of kneading and said, “Do not be deceived by it, for it is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).” And we are relieved of all this if we say that the sitting in the witr of the prayer is for what? For need. Yes.
The Shaykh : And by Allah, in any case, there is consideration in this. I say that this path, if Ibn al-Qaymay’s approach to it is subject to consideration, is that the Sunnah is established by the transmission of one person. However, it is apparent that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did it out of need first, because Malik ibn al-Huwayris only came to him in old age at the end of his life. Second, in Malik’s hadith, it is stated that when he wanted to stand up, he would stand up on his hands, and this indicates that he could not stand up without relying on his hands, and this does not happen except in cases of need. Therefore, some of the brothers now, when they want to stand up, they stand up on their hands like this, as if they are kneading dough. However, al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) strongly denied the hadith of kneading and said, “Do not be deceived by it, for it is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).” And we are relieved of all this if we say that the sitting in the witr of the prayer is for what? For need. Yes.