Chapter on the Manner of Prayer, Its Description and What is Obligatory and Recommended

Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Al-Hakam from Dawud Al-Khandaqi from Abu Basir who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "When you stand for prayer, know that you are before Allah سبحانه وتعالى; if you do not see Him عز وجل, then know that He عز وجل sees you. So turn fully toward your prayer and do not blow your nose, nor spit, nor crack your fingers, nor sit in a sprawling manner, for a people were punished for cracking their fingers and sprawling during the prayer. When you raise your head from bowing (ruku'), straighten your back until your joints return to their places. And when you prostrate, do the same. And when you are in the first and second rak'ahs and raise your head from prostration, sit properly until your joints return to their places. When you stand up, say: 'By the power and strength of Allah سبحانه وتعالى I stand and sit,' for indeed (Imam) Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, used to do so."