This writing is derived from the book “Main Raf’ al-Yadain Kyun Karun?” authored by respected Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.
The Hadith of Sayyiduna Bara’ bin ‘Azib (RA)
Among the arguments presented by those who oppose Raf’ al-Yadayn is the following narration:
Sayyiduna Bara’ bin ‘Azib (RA) states:
«رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رفع يديه حين افتتح الصلاة، ثم لم يرفعهما حتى انصرف.»
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth: 752. Al-Muhaddith al-Albānī has declared it “Ḍaʿīf”.]
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raising his hands at the beginning of the prayer, and then he did not raise them again until he completed the prayer.”
Response
❀ (1) Statement of Imam Abu Dawud:
After narrating this Hadith, Imam Abu Dawud (رحمه الله) himself remarked:
«هذا الحديث ليس بصحيح.»
“This Hadith is not authentic.”
❀ (2) Weakness in the Chain:
The chain of narration includes Ibn Abi Layla, a weak narrator. Approximately 32 eminent scholars of Hadith have declared him unreliable.
❀ (3) Presence of Another Weak Narrator:
In some chains of this narration, Yazid bin Abi Ziyad appears, who has also been declared weak by nearly 30 scholars.
(Reference: Nūr al-ʿAynayn)
Conclusion
✔ The Hadith is weak and cannot serve as evidence against Raf’ al-Yadayn.
✔ It opposes the multiple authentic and mutawatir narrations affirming the practice of Raf’ al-Yadayn during Salah.
✔ Thus, this narration cannot be relied upon to negate a well-established Sunnah.
For further detailed research, refer to the discussion under “Argument Number Five” in the relevant article.
جزاك الله خيرًا
