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Some Mistakes Made concerning the manner of raising the hands With the Takbeer

From the contradictions of the Sunnah regarding the manner of raising the hands with the Takbeer, is what some of the worshipers do. From that:

• 1. Raising the hands under the shoulders to the pectorals.
• 2. Bending the fingers of the hand.
• 3. That he turns the bottoms of the hands towards the face or he makes them face each other.
• 4. That he separate his hands much from the sides of his shoulders with the Takbeer.
• 5. That he raise one hand without raising the other.
• 6. That he flap his hands about with the Takbeer.
• 7. That he raise his hands over his head.

All of these descriptions oppose the Sunnah!

Taken from: Explanation of the Prophet’s Prayer Described, by Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool (hafidhahullaah)
Translated by: Raha ibn Donald Batts

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The Correct Manner of Raising the Hands In The Prayer, by Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-’Uthaymeen was asked: What is the manner and place of raising the hands? There are some who raise the hands to the chest, and some who raise them to their lower part of their chests. Please clarify for us the correct manner in this. And may Allaah reward you.

Shaykh al-’Uthaymeen answered: Raising of the hands in the prayer is in four places/times:

• First: During the Takbeeratul Ihraam (The Opening/Beginning of the Salaat)
• Second: While going to Rukoo’ (bowing position)
• Third: After rising from the Rukoo’
• And the fourth place is at the rising from the first Tashahhud [1]

[And as for the way of raising the hands]:

The hands are not to be raised past the height of the (upper) tips of the ears, or (you can raise the hands) to the ear lobes, or to the shoulders. [2] This is the Sunnaah. Meaning either you raise your hands to the top of the ears, or to the height of the ear lobes, or to the shoulders.

As for raising the hands to (the height of) the chest, then this is wrong. In reality this action is useless, and there is no reward for the person who does this. This is because this action (raising the hands to the chest) has not come in the Sunnah, and nor does this action bring tranquility. So it is just a movement of an action that is not legislated; thus, this will be from the actions that are not part of the salaat and are in vain.

Therefore, we tell our brothers and sisters who are diligent on acting upon the Sunnah, (especially) in raising the hands: The least is that they should raise their hands to the shoulders, or (they could do more) and raise them to the ear lobes, or to the upper part of the ears.”

And it is best, that you do this one at a time, and the next some other time. So as to revive the Sunnah in all its aspects and actions.

Footnotes:

[1] This in reference to the hadeeth in Saheeh Bukhaaree from Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhuma): “When the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stood for prayer, he raised his hands until they were at the level of his shoulders then said, ‘Allaahu akbar,’ and he would do that when he said, ‘Allaahu akbar’ for the bowing. And when he raised his head from bowing, he raised them like that as well and then said ‘Sami’ Allaahu liman hamidah, Rabbana walakal hamd.’”

In another narration, also in Saheeh Bukhaaree, Ibn ‘Umar reported, “When Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stood from the second rak’ah, he said ‘Allaahu akbar’ and raised his hands.” This has also been narrated in the hadeeth of Abee Humayd as-Saa’idee (radiallaahu ‘anhu). See Saheeh Sunan Abu Daawood by Imaam al-Albaanee, no. 670.

* It should be noted that raising the hands is also authenticated while rising from every (applicable) rak’ah. Shaykh al-’Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) did not mention this. Please refer back to Sifaatu-Salaat an-Nabee (The Prophet’s Prayer Described) of al-Imaam al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah).

[For example, Shaykh Al-Albaanee mentioned in the footnotes under the chapter "Standing up for the Third, and then the Fourth Rak'ah" that there is a hadeeth with an authentic chain in Abu 'Awaanah and Nasaa`ee that proves the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to sometimes raise his hands when rising for the fourth rak'ah.]

[2] The above hadeeth in Saheeh Bukhaaree from Ibn ‘Umar states the proof for raising the hands to the level of the shoulders. As for raising them to the ears, it is in the report of Maalik bin al-Huwayrith (radiallaahu ‘anhu) who said: “I saw the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) raise his hands when he said ‘Allaahu akbar,’ when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing, until they extended to the level of his ears.” See Saheeh Sunan Abu Daawood by Imaam al-Albaanee, no. 670.

[Shaykh Al-Albaanee wrote in The Prophet's Prayer Described, under the Chapter "Raising The Hands":

He (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) would raise his hands sometimes with the takbeer [4], sometimes after the takbeer [5], and sometimes before it. [6]

“He would raise them with fingers apart [not spaced out, nor together],” [7] and “he would put them level with his shoulders” [8], although occasionally, “he would raise them until they were level with [the tops of] his ears.” [9]

4- Bukhaaree, Nasaa`ee

5- ibid

6- Bukhaaree, Abu Daawood

7- Abu Daawood, Ibn Khuzaimah (1/62/2, 64/1), Tammaam & Haakim who declared it saheeh, and Dhahabee agreed

8- Bukhaaree, Nasaa`ee

9- Bukhaaree, Abu Daawood ]

Translation by: Abu Waheeda as-salafee
Source: The Correct Manner of Raising the Hands In The Prayer by Shaikh al-’Uthaimeen

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Imam Ahmad: Whoever prohibits people from raising their hands during the prayer (at the start of the prayer, before ruku’, after ruku’) is an Innovator!

Narrated by Nafi’: Whenever Ibn ‘Umar started the prayer with Takbeer, he used to raise his hands. Whenever he bowed, he used to raise his hands (before bowing) and also used to raise his hands on saying, “Sami’ Allaahu Liman Hamida”, and he used to do the same on rising from the second Rak’a (for the 3rd Rak’a). Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet used to do the same.” [Bukhaaree, The Book of The Characteristics of the Prayer]

In his Saheeh, Imam Muslim (rahimahullaah) included a chapter: The Desirability of Raising The Hands Opposite The Shoulders at the Time Of Beginning The Prayer and at the Time of Bowing and at the Time of Returning to the Erect Position after Bowing. In this chapter are six ahadeeth, narrated by various companions.

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (hafidhahullaah) relayed that Imam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) said: “Whoever prohibits people from raising their hands during the prayer (at the start of the prayer, before ruku’, and after ruku’) is an Innovator!

‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘ahumma) would gather pebbles to throw at whoever he saw not raising his hands during the prayer – to show his rejection of them – because they opposed the Sunnah of Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).” [Sharh Ibaana Sughraa]

Source: http://twitter.com/aburemlah/status/285634267621519360/photo/1

[May Allaah be pleased with all the companions and have mercy on all the true scholars who have passed, and preserve the living Salafee scholars, and their Salafee students.]

A brother (may Allaah reward him generously) brought to attention the fact that in Imam Al-Albaanee’s highly beneficial book The Prophet’s Prayer Described, there is a tremendous related benefit. In the footnotes under the chapter of Rukoo’ (Bowing), In-sha`Allaah you will find the following gem:

‘Abdullaah ibn Ahmad reported from his father [Imam Ahmad, rahimahullaah] in his Masaa`il (p. 60): “It is related from ‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir (radiallaahu ‘anhu) that he said about a man raising his hands during prayer, ‘he earns ten good deeds for each such movement.’” This is supported by the hadeeth Qudsee: “…he who intends a good deed and then does it, Allaah writes it down with Himself as from ten to seven hundred good deeds.” [Transmitted by Bukhaaree & Muslim, rahimahumullaah] See Saheeh at-Targheeb, no. 16. [END OF FOOTNOTE]

Maa-sha`Allaah.

That’s at least 430 deeds a day over the course of the five obligatory prayers – not counting the optional prayers and not counting raising the hands when rising for the second rak’ah and fourth rak’ah.

Allaah said:

قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُور ٌ رَحِيم

Say (Oh Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me (i.e. accept Tawheed, follow the Qur`aan and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Aali Imran, ayah 31)

Refusing to raise the hands is one matter. Preventing others is another matter.

For more on the tremendous importance of following the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Sahaaba, click here.

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Wisdom For Raising The Hands in Salat

In her commentary on Buloogh al-Maram, Umm ‘Abdillaah al-Waadi’iyyah (hafidhahallaah) said:

“And there are books by Imam Al Bukharee (rahimahullaah) that have a section regarding the raising of the hands in the salaah. The People of Knowledge have differed onto the wisdom of raising the hands.

1. Some of them said it is surrendering, since a captive – when he is defeated – would raise his hands, which is a sign of surrendering.
2. It was also said that it has the exaltation of Allaah, and following of the Messenger ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ).
3. It was also said it is an indication of exaltation of that which he has entered (i.e. the salaah) and it was said other than that.”

Post Courtesy: Maher ibn Ahmad Attiyeh al-Maqdisi via SalafisofFlorida mailing list