Abu Dawud

1000. Commentary:
➊ It is obligatory to observe humility and submissiveness both outwardly and inwardly in prayer. Idle movements are impermissible and forbidden. Prayer should be performed in the manner demonstrated by the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and as the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum ajma‘in learned from him.
➋ The aforementioned hadith is also found in Sahih Muslim, Hadith Fawad: [656], Darussalam: [968], and Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith [1327]. It is an authentic hadith and is among the well-known evidences which the Hanafi brothers present with great confidence in rejection and denial of raising the hands (raf‘ al-yadayn) in bowing (ruku‘). However, Imam Abu Dawud, Imam Muslim, and Imam Nawawi have included it in the chapter regarding the salutation (salam), and the correct deduction is that it is prohibited to gesture with the hands at the time of salam in the tashahhud, because in this hadith, it is at this very occasion that gesturing with the hands while giving salam is forbidden, not the general act of raising the hands (raf‘ al-yadayn). Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah states in the section on raf‘ al-yadayn that the deduction of some scholars from the hadith of Jabir ibn Samurah radi Allahu anhu (in denial of raf‘ al-yadayn in ruku‘) is not correct; in reality, this pertains to the tashahhud, not the standing (qiyam), because some people used to greet each other by raising their hands. So the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade them from gesturing with the hand during the tashahhud. And whoever has been granted any portion of knowledge cannot use this hadith as evidence for denying raf‘ al-yadayn in ruku‘. This hadith is well-known and there is no disagreement about it. If the matter were as they claim (that raising the hands is absolutely prohibited), then raising the hands would also be forbidden in the initial takbir (takbir tahrimah) and in the takbirs of Eid, because the hadith does not make any exception for any kind of raf‘ al-yadayn. And in the narration of Mus‘ar, it is mentioned that the one praying should place his hand on his thigh, then give salam. (Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah says) Such people should fear Allah, that they do not attribute to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam things which he did not say. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says:
«فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ» [النور۔ 63]
“Let those beware who oppose his (the Messenger’s) command, lest a trial befall them or a painful punishment befall them.” End quote. And it is evident that belittling the established Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, mocking it, or denying it is something that ruins one’s worldly life and Hereafter. «اللهم ارنا الحق حقا وارزقنا اتباعه وارنا الباطل باطلا وارزقنا اجتنابه»

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
The Prophets whom the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saw performing prayer, this state was shown to him from that era in which they used to perform prayer. If you were to make a video film today, then after a period of time, when its participants have passed away, you would still be able to see them performing the actions they did in their lifetime. A human being, despite being a created being, is able to do such things, and who knows what the state of future unknown modern discoveries will be, and to what extent they will reveal the secrets of Allah’s power. Therefore, regarding the incidents mentioned in authentic ahadith, one should not fall into any doubt or suspicion, nor should one interpret or distort them.