Question 1
Is raising the hands (Raf’ al-Yadain) a confirmed Sunnah or a non-confirmed Sunnah?
Answer
Raising the hands is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and it is an important part of the prayer. There are clear hadiths in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to raise his hands when he started the prayer, when going into Ruku, and when rising from Ruku. It is a confirmed Sunnah because the Prophet ﷺ always practiced it.
Question 2
Can the prayer be valid without raising the hands?
Answer
The prayer can be valid without raising the hands, but it will not be according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Pray as you have seen me praying”
Therefore, those who do not raise their hands, their prayer is technically valid, but they miss out on the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Question 3
Did the Prophet ﷺ raise his hands in the last prayers as well?
Answer
Yes, according to Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ continued to raise his hands (Raf’ al-Yadain) in prayer until the last days of his life. When he went into Ruku (bowing) and when he raised his head from Ruku, he would raise his hands.
Question 4
How many hadiths are there regarding raising the hands (Raf’ al-Yadain)?
Answer
There are many authentic hadiths regarding raising the hands. According to the author of “Neel al-Farqadain,” there are twelve authentic hadiths about raising the hands narrated through various chains of transmission.
Question 5
Did the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ raise his hands when raising his head from prostration (Sajdah)?
Answer
No, according to the narrations in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not raise his hands when raising his head from prostration.
Question 6
Does raising the hands (Raf’ al-Yadain) earn 10 good deeds?
Answer
In the Quran, generally, the reward for every good deed is mentioned as tenfold:
“Whoever brings a good deed will receive ten times as much from Allah.”
Raising the hands (Raf’ al-Yadain) is also a virtuous act, and ten good deeds are rewarded for each raising of the hands. From this, it can be said that if in a four-unit prayer (four Rak’ahs) the hands are raised ten times, then a total of one hundred good deeds will be earned.
Question 7
Do Hanafi scholars consider raising the hands as the wagging of a horse’s tail?
Answer
Some Hanafi scholars hold the opinion that raising the hands is an unnecessary act and have likened it to “wagging the horse’s tail.” However, there is no Shariah evidence or mention of this analogy in the Hadith. The purpose of this analogy is generally to diminish the importance of raising the hands, which is incorrect.
Question 8
Does the prayer become valid if one does not raise the hands?
Answer
The prayer of those who do not raise their hands is technically valid, but they miss out on the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Raising the hands is a confirmed Sunnah, and it is preferable to perform it.
Question 9
Did Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Imam Abu Hanifa raise their hands?
Answer
Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal are proponents of raising the hands (raf’ al-yadain), and according to them, it is a confirmed Sunnah.
Followers of Imam Abu Hanifa accept raising the hands with the initial Takbir, but they do not support raising the hands during Ruku (bowing) or when rising from Ruku.
Question 10
Did the Rightly Guided Caliphs raise their hands (raf’ al-yadain)?
Answer
There is evidence from the Companions and the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, that they used to raise their hands. Narrations mention that Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, and Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, used to raise their hands.
Conclusion
➊ Raising the hands is a confirmed Sunnah and should be performed in prayer according to the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
➋ Prayer is valid without raising the hands, but omitting it may reduce the reward and the merits of the Sunnah.
