Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

There is consensus of the entire Ummah on raising the hands (raf‘ al-yadayn) at the time of the opening takbir (takbir tahrimah). However, there is disagreement regarding raising the hands at subsequent positions. The majority of the Imams and scholars of Islam, even the Ahl al-Bayt, are unanimously of the opinion that raising the hands at these positions is established. However, among the Hanafis, raising the hands at the aforementioned positions is not practiced. Some scholars of the Hanafis consider it abrogated. Some deem the abandonment of raising the hands preferable. Some accept it in their hearts but do not practice it outwardly. Both sides have engaged in considerable debate on this matter. Especially in this present age of tribulation, much ink has been spilled from both sides. There are many common people who say that in the early days of Islam, people used to keep idols under their armpits, so the command to raise the hands was given so that the idols would fall from their armpits. Astaghfirullah! This is such a lie that perhaps it can be called the greatest lie ever uttered in the name of Islam in its history. Some people, by likening this Prophetic Sunnah to the act of swatting a fly, become guilty of disrespecting the Sunnah. Hujjat al-Hind, Hazrat Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlawi, after great detail, has given the verdict that the one who performs raf‘ al-yadayn is more beloved to me than the one who does not, because the ahadith regarding raising the hands are numerous and authentic. (Raaz)