High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Rukūʿ (Arabic: رُكوع ) refers to the bowing down following the recitation of the Qur'an in the standing position while praying according to Islamic ritual (salah). There is a consensus on the obligatory nature of the ruku. The position of ruku is established by bending over, putting one's hands on one's knees, and remaining in that position until the individual attains "calmness."