Bending the neck when pronouncing certain letters

Question

Our imam, when leading the prayer, wherever there is an ‘ayn (ع) or a ha’ (ح), moves his neck and head the way a rooster moves its neck up and down when it crows (literally, “calls the adhan”). Sometimes he stands on one leg, that is, he stands putting all his weight on a single leg. In these cases is the prayer valid according to the Hanafis or not?

Answer

If the qiyam is long, then putting one’s weight sometimes on one leg and, when it tires, on the other is permissible; the prayer is not spoiled by this. However, there is no need to lower the head when pronouncing ‘ayn and ha’: this is done without any need. Although the prayer does not become fasid (invalid) because of it, one should nevertheless take care to avoid it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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