Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The following discussion on the topic of raising the hands (raf‘ al-yadayn) will be beneficial; memorize it well. For the benefit of the readers, the aforementioned evidences will also be mentioned.

Raising the Hands Before and After Bowing (Ruku‘)

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr radi Allahu anhu said: “I prayed behind (my grandfather) Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu, and he would raise his hands when he began the prayer, when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing. Abu Bakr said: I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and he would raise his hands when he began the prayer, when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing.” (Sunan al-Kubra al-Bayhaqi: 2/73)

Extremely Important Note: … The closest and oldest companion of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu. When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, in his final illness, was performing his last prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq was standing to his right, following him in prayer. If such great personalities testify regarding raising the hands, it should be accepted. Sayyiduna Malik ibn al-Huwayrith radi Allahu anhu said: “We (thirteen young men from Banu Layth) came to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and stayed for twenty days. When he sensed that we wished to return home, he permitted us to leave and said: ‘… Pray as you have seen me praying.’” (See: Sahih al-Bukhari 628, 631 with Fath al-Bari) This same Malik ibn al-Huwayrith also narrates the hadith of raising the hands at bowing. In this discussion, raising the hands refers to lifting both hands before bowing, after bowing, and at the beginning of the third rak‘ah. In this regard, I am most astonished at the Hanafi followers, who on one hand claim that the four Imams are upon the truth and that it is permissible to follow any one of them, but on the other hand, they are seen strongly rejecting the practice of raising the hands, even though Imam Malik, Imam Shafi‘i, and Imam Ahmad all practiced raising the hands. Considering the most authentic and numerous hadiths that establish raising the hands, the Hanafis should have at least said that raising the hands is established from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and that every Muslim should be diligent in practicing it. As the well-known Deobandi scholar Muhammad Mazhar Baqa (student of Mufti Muhammad Shafi‘, graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband, M.A., Ph.D., professor at Jami‘ah Umm al-Qura, Makkah) wrote, he says: “Since raising the hands when going into and rising from bowing is established by authentic and strong hadiths, I sometimes practice raising the hands. Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi‘ rahimahullah once said in a private gathering to those present: ‘Sometimes perform raising the hands, because if on the Day of Judgment the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam asks, ‘This Sunnah also reached you correctly, so why did you not act upon it?’ you will have no answer.’” (Hayat Baqa wa Ba‘d Yadein, p. 190, under the heading: My Method in Jurisprudential Issues, published by Zawar Academy Publications, Nazimabad, Karachi) But the opposite was seen, and they began to reject all those hadiths upon which Imam Malik, Imam Shafi‘i, and Imam Ahmad practiced raising the hands. Not only was this great Sunnah denied, but it was even mocked in an ugly manner. The words used in this despicable and insulting style are unmentionable. (For details, see: Tajalliyat Safdar, p. 359, vol. 7, published by Maktabah Imdadiyah, Multan) And observe the injustice done to escape from this established Sunnah. Deobandi Shaykh al-Hind Mahmood al-Hasan described the miserable state of the extreme followers, saying: “In the matter of raising the hands, despite the clear hadiths, they take shelter behind the Imam and say, ‘It is not the Imam’s school,’ and they stand firm and claim to be Hanafis, and if a non-muqallid (non-blind follower) raises his hands, they order him to be expelled from the mosque.” (Al-Ward al-Shadhi ‘ala Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, p. 52)

Our view on this issue is that Allah Ta‘ala made prayer obligatory upon the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and he explained its method, and by saying “Pray as you have seen me praying,” he commanded us to follow him in all matters of prayer. Just as this prayer, from the day it was made obligatory, included the opening takbir, the raising of the hands for it, recitation, standing, bowing, prostration, etc., similarly, it included raising the hands before and after bowing. We will mention some evidences:

(1) … Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, when he stood for prayer, he would raise his hands until they were level with his shoulders, and he would do this when he said the takbir for bowing, and he would do this when he raised his head from bowing.” That is: I saw the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, when he stood for prayer, he would raise his hands to the level of his shoulders (at the opening takbir), and similarly when he said Allahu Akbar for bowing and when he raised his head from bowing, he would raise his hands, but he would not do so in prostrations. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 735, 736; Sahih Muslim: 390; Musnad Ahmad: 1/147, 4526; Abu Dawud: 721; Tirmidhi: 255; Nasa’i: 1025; Ibn Majah: 858; Muwatta’ Imam Malik: 1/75; Muwatta’ Imam Muhammad: 100) Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Madini said: “This hadith is a proof against all creation; whoever hears it is obliged to act upon it (and raise the hands), because there is no objection to its chain.” Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu himself acted upon this hadith and prayed with raising the hands.

(2) Abu Qilabah said: When Sayyiduna Malik ibn al-Huwayrith radi Allahu anhu began the prayer, he raised his hands, and similarly when he bowed and when he raised his head from bowing, he again raised his hands, and he stated that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed in this manner. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 737; Sahih Muslim: 391; Musnad Ahmad: 15172; Nasa’i: 880; Ibn Majah: 859)

Important Note: … Sayyiduna Malik ibn al-Huwayrith radi Allahu anhu came to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam with the delegation of Banu Layth when the Prophet was preparing for the Battle of Tabuk. (Fath al-Bari: 2/141) The Battle of Tabuk took place in the seventh month, Rajab, of 9 AH, which means that raising the hands continued in the last years of the Prophet’s life. (Khazain al-Sunan, p. 364, published by Maktabah Safdariyyah, Gujranwala)

(3) … Sayyiduna Wa’il ibn Hujr radi Allahu anhu said: “I saw the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, when he entered the prayer, he said Allahu Akbar and raised his hands (up to the level of his ears), then wrapped his garment and placed his right hand over his left. When he intended to bow, he took his hands out from his garment and again raised them in the same way, and when he said Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah, he again raised his hands.” (Sahih Muslim: 401; Musnad Ahmad: 18398; Abu Dawud: 723; Tirmidhi: 268; Nasa’i: 879; Ibn Majah: 867) Important Point: One of the narrators of this hadith, Muhammad ibn Jahadah, said: “When I narrated this hadith to Imam Hasan al-Basri, he said: ‘This is the prayer of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam; whoever adopts it, let him do so, and whoever leaves it, let him leave it.’” (Abu Dawud: 723)

Important Note: … Sayyiduna Wa’il ibn Hujr radi Allahu anhu accepted Islam in 9 AH, and returned the following year in the winter season, which was the last winter of the Prophet’s blessed life. (See: ‘Umdat al-Qari: 5/274; Sahih Ibn Hibban: 3/169) He narrated the hadith of raising the hands on both occasions. Those who claim, without basis, that raising the hands was abrogated should take heed. This blessed hadith proves that there is evidence for raising the hands from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in 10 AH, and he passed away in the third month of 11 AH.

(4) … Sayyiduna Abu Humayd al-Sa‘idi radi Allahu anhu was present among ten Companions, including Abu Qatadah. He said: “I am the most knowledgeable among you regarding the prayer of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.” The other Companions said: “By Allah! You did not accept Islam before us, nor did you keep his company more than us (so how are you more knowledgeable) — go ahead, present it.” Sayyiduna Abu Humayd al-Sa‘idi radi Allahu anhu said: “When the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam stood for prayer, he would say Allahu Akbar and raise his hands to his shoulders, and every bone would settle in its place. Then he would recite, then raise his hands to his shoulders and bow, placing his palms on his knees in bowing, keeping his head neither raised nor lowered. Then when he raised his head, he would say Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah and raise his hands to his shoulders.” The Companions said: “You have spoken the truth; the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to pray like this.” (Abu Dawud: 730; Tirmidhi: 260; Nasa’i: 1181; Ibn Majah: 862; Ahmad: 23088)

(5) … It is narrated from Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radi Allahu anhu that when the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam stood for obligatory prayer, he would say Allahu Akbar and raise his hands to the level of his shoulders, and when he finished recitation and bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing, he would again raise his hands in the same way, but he would not do so while sitting in prayer, and when he stood up for the third rak‘ah after two rak‘ahs, he would again raise his hands. (Abu Dawud: 744; Tirmidhi: 3423; Ibn Majah: 864)

(6) … Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari radi Allahu anhu said: “Shall I show you how the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed?” Then he said Allahu Akbar and raised his hands, then (for bowing) said Allahu Akbar, and when he raised his head from bowing and said Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah, he raised his hands. (Sunan al-Daraqutni: 1/292)

(7) … Imam Abu Isma‘il Muhammad ibn Isma‘il al-Sulami rahimahullah said: “I prayed behind Abu Nu‘man Muhammad ibn Fadl, and he raised his hands at the beginning of the prayer, when going into bowing, and when rising from bowing. When I asked him about this, he said: ‘I prayed behind Imam Hammad ibn Zayd, and he raised his hands at the beginning of the prayer, when going into bowing, and when rising from bowing.’ When I asked him, he said: ‘I prayed behind Imam Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani, and he raised his hands at the beginning of the prayer, when going into bowing, and when rising from bowing.’ When I asked him, he said: ‘I prayed behind Imam ‘Ata’ ibn Abi Rabah, and he raised his hands at the beginning of the prayer, when going into bowing, and when rising from bowing.’ When I asked him about this, Imam ‘Ata’ said: ‘I prayed behind the Companion of the Messenger of Allah, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr radi Allahu anhu, and he raised his hands at the beginning of the prayer, when going into bowing, and when rising from bowing.’ When Imam ‘Ata’ asked Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr radi Allahu anhu about raising the hands, he said: ‘I prayed behind (my grandfather) Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu, and he would raise his hands when he began the prayer, when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing. Abu Bakr said: I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and he would raise his hands when he began the prayer, when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing.’” (Sunan al-Kubra al-Bayhaqi: 2/73)

Extremely Important Note: … The closest and oldest companion of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu. When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, in his final illness, was performing his last prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq was standing to his right, following him in prayer. If such great personalities testify regarding raising the hands, it should be accepted.

(8) … ‘Abdullah ibn Qasim said: “People were praying in the Prophet’s Mosque when suddenly Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu arrived and said: ‘O people! Turn your faces towards me; I will show you how the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prayed, as he used to pray and commanded us to pray.’ Then he faced the qiblah, stood up, raised his hands to his shoulders and said Allahu Akbar, then lowered his gaze, then again raised his hands to his shoulders and said Allahu Akbar and bowed, and when he stood up from bowing, he again raised his hands in the same way.” (Nasb al-Rayah: 1/416; Musnad al-Faruq by Ibn Kathir: 1/165; Sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi by Ibn Sayyid al-Nas 2/217, and this is his wording)

This is the testimony of Sayyiduna ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu regarding the prayer of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

(9) … Abu al-Zubayr said: “Indeed, Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah, when he began the prayer, would raise his hands, and when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing, he would do the same, and he would say: ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam do the same.’” (Ibn Majah: 868) When Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, the Tabi‘i, was asked about raising the hands, he said: “It is the adornment of prayer, and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to raise their hands at the beginning of the prayer, at bowing, and when rising from bowing.” (Sunan al-Kubra al-Bayhaqi: 2/75) Imam al-Bukhari said: “It is not authentically established from any of the Companions of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that he did not raise his hands.” (Juz’ Raf‘ al-Yadayn: 40, 176) ‘Abdullah ibn Wahb said: “I saw Malik ibn Anas raising his hands at the beginning of the prayer, when bowing, and when rising from bowing.” (Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn ‘Asakir: 55/134) Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah said: “This is the statement of Imam Malik, and he died upon it, and this is the Sunnah, and I also act upon it.” (Tarikh Dimashq: 55/134) Imam Abu Dawud said: “I saw Imam Ahmad, he would raise his hands before and after bowing, as at the beginning of the prayer, and he would raise his hands to his ears, and sometimes a little less than at the beginning of the prayer.” (Masa’il Ahmad riwayah Abi Dawud: p. 33) Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Marwazi said: “The scholars of the cities, except the people of Kufa, have consensus on raising the hands before and after bowing.” (Fath al-Bari: 2/257) Mawlana ‘Abd al-Hayy al-Hanafi said: “There is ample and excellent evidence for raising the hands from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Those who say that raising the hands is abrogated, their statement is baseless.” (Al-Ta‘liq al-Mumajjad: p. 91) Shah Waliullah al-Dihlawi said: “When a person intends to bow, he should raise his hands, and when he rises from bowing, he should raise his hands. I consider those who raise their hands better than those who do not, because the hadiths of raising the hands are very numerous and very authentic.” (Hujjat Allah al-Balighah: 2/10)

Summary: … The following Companions narrated the raising of the hands at bowing: Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, Sayyiduna Malik ibn al-Huwayrith, Sayyiduna Wa’il ibn Hujr, Sayyiduna Abu Humayd al-Sa‘idi, Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah, Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Sa‘d al-Sa‘idi, Sayyiduna Abu Usayd al-Sa‘idi, Sayyiduna Muhammad ibn Maslamah, Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr, Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhum. Due to this abundance, Imam Ibn al-Jawzi, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, Imam Ibn Hazm, Imam Suyuti, Imam Sakhaawi, and Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, among others, have declared the hadiths of raising the hands to be mutawatir (mass-transmitted). After the death of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, raising the hands is established from the following Companions, and denial from any of them is not established: Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Sayyiduna ‘Umar al-Faruq, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, Sayyiduna Malik ibn al-Huwayrith, Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas, Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik, Sayyiduna Jabir, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah, Sayyiduna Abu Humayd al-Sa‘idi radi Allahu anhum. Among the great Imams from whom raising the hands is established, a few names are: Imam Malik, Imam Shafi‘i, Imam Ahmad, Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Madini, Imam Ishaq ibn Rahwayh, Imam Awza‘i, Imam ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak, Imam ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Mahdi, Imam Yahya ibn Ma‘in, Imam al-Bukhari, and others. Rahimahum Allah Ta‘ala

Note: … In the narrations where raising the hands up to the ears is mentioned, the context and other hadiths show that it does not mean touching the ears, but rather raising the hands to the height of the ears. As for the narrations that mention not raising the hands before or after bowing, some are outside the area of dispute and some are weak and not valid as evidence. For details of these narrations, the study of Hafiz Abu Tahir Zubair ‘Ali Zai’s book “Nur al-‘Aynayn fi Raf‘ al-Yadayn” will be beneficial. If anyone is just and fair, he will have to accept the hadiths that indicate raising the hands before and after bowing.