Bulugh al-Maram

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Two issues are clarified by this hadith. The first issue is that standing in prayer with the hands folded is Sunnah, and letting the hands hang down is not Sunnah. The Shafi'is, Hanafis, and Hanbalis all agree that folding the hands in prayer is the Sunnah of the Noble Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Allamah Ibn Abd al-Barr has written that no action contrary to this has been established from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. This is also the statement of the majority of the Companions and the Tabi'in. Ibn al-Mundhir and others have not transmitted any other opinion from Imam Malik rahimahullah except this, and even in the Muwatta of Imam Malik, there is a narration about folding the hands, so the narration should be acted upon. In contrast, the mention of letting the hands hang down that is attributed to Imam Malik rahimahullah is rare (shadh) and not authentic. For details, see: [التمهيد : 70-80/ 20]

➋ Now, as for the issue of where the hands should be folded—on the chest or below the navel? Some individuals hold the view and practice of folding the hands below the navel, but the hadith regarding folding the hands below the navel is weak and not authentic. The aforementioned hadith has been included by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah rahimahullah in his “Sahih,” which is supported by the hadith of Sayyiduna Hulb radi Allahu anhu in Musnad Ahmad, that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to fold his hands on his chest. [مسند أحمد : 226/5] And in one narration, the words “above the navel” (fawq al-surrah) are also transmitted. Compared to “below the navel” (taht al-surrah), the narration of “above the navel” is more authentic and stronger in terms of its chain of transmission. And according to the scholars of Ahl al-Hadith, in light of strong evidences, folding the hands on the chest is the preferred (rajih) view, and the hadith about below the navel is weak and not reliable. See: [سنن ابي داؤد، باب وصع اليميني على اليسري فى الصلاة، حديث : 756-758]

Hadith Narrator: (Sayyiduna Wa’il ibn Hujr radi Allahu anhu) His kunyah is Abu Hunaydah or Abu Hindah. The “Ha” in Hujr has a dammah and the “Jim” is sukun. He is a noble Companion. His father was among the kings of Hadramawt. When he came to the service of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam with his delegation, the Prophet (in his honor) spread his blessed cloak for him to sit on and made a supplication for blessing for him and his descendants. He was appointed as an administrator over the tribes of Hadramawt. He resided in Kufa and passed away during the caliphate of Mu'awiyah radi Allahu anhu.