The Stronger Position on How to Lower Oneself into Prostration

Question:
Our brother asks this question and says: Which is stronger: lowering oneself into prostration with the hands, or with the knees?

Answer:
This is a point of disagreement among the scholars, and the best and stronger position is to lower oneself with the knees, then the hands, meaning: he brings forward his knees, then his hands, then his forehead and nose. This is the best based on the hadith of Wail ibn Hujr and what came in its meaning. And whoever brings forward his hands, the matter is broad—if Allah wills—because there is also the hadith of Abu Hurayrah. However, the correct view is that he brings forward his knees, then his hands, then his forehead and nose.
As for the hadith of Abu Hurayrah in which it says: , there is a reversal in it, as some scholars have clarified. Because the beginning of the hadith says: , and the camel brings forward its hands. So if we bring forward our hands, we become like the camel. Thus, the end of the hadith would contradict its beginning. So the correct view is: “And let him place his knees before his hands,” based on the hadith of Wail and in agreement with the beginning of the hadith. So there is a reversal in “let him place his hands before his knees.”
The point is: the stronger position is that he brings forward his knees before his hands, and the stronger position regarding the hadith of Abu Hurayrah is that it agrees with the hadith of Wail, and that the mention of the hands before the knees at the end is a reversal by some of the narrators. This is the closest and most apparent view, so that the end of the hadith does not contradict its beginning, and so that the hadiths from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are reconciled. This is the position of the majority of scholars and most of the scholars.
And if it is stronger in someone’s view to bring forward the hands and he exerts effort in that, then it is not befitting to deny him. It is befitting in this matter not to be severe, and not to engage in dispute and disagreement. So the believer seeks the truth. The stronger, more apparent, and closest view is that he brings forward his knees, then his hands, then his forehead with his nose. This is in prostration. And when rising, he starts with the face, then the hands, then he rises on his knees. This is the best, and this is what reconciles the hadiths. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah bless you.