Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abdur-Rabah bin Zaitoon narrates that I saw Hazrat Umm Darda raising her hands up to her shoulders at the beginning of prayer. When the imam said "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah," she would perform raf' al-yadayn (raising of the hands) during the prayer and would also say "Allahumma Rabbana lakal hamd."

Hazrat Ata was asked: Up to where should a woman raise her hands in prayer? He replied: Up to the level of her chest.

Hazrat Zuhri says that a woman will raise her hands up to her shoulders.

Hazrat Hammad used to say that when a woman begins prayer, she will raise her hands up to her chest.

Hazrat Ibn Jurayj says that I asked Hazrat Ata whether a woman should gesture like a man when saying the Takbir-e-Tahrima in prayer? He replied that she will not gesture like a man. Rather, she will keep her hands very low and keep them joined to herself. Hazrat Ata also said that the body of women is not like that of men, and if she leaves it (the gesture) altogether, there is no harm.

Hazrat Asim Ahwal narrates that I saw Hafsa bint Sirin say the takbeer in prayer and raise her hands up to her chest. Yahya raised both his hands.