Question 1
Is raising the hands (rafa’ al-yadayn) a Sunnah? What is the definition of Sunnah, and where does the word “Sunnah” appear in the Quran and Hadith with reference to raising the hands?
Answer
Raising the hands (lifting the hands at the time of the takbirs in prayer) is a Sunnah, and it is established from the hadiths in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to raise his hands. In the Quran, Allah has commanded the following of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
Allah says in the Quran: “وَاتَّبِعُوْہُ لَعَلَّکُمْ تَھْتَدُوْنَ”
“And follow him, that you may be guided.”
In another verse Allah says: “لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ”
“Indeed, there is for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.”
From these hadiths it is established that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to raise his hands in prayer, and the meaning of Sunnah is acting upon the deeds and sayings of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Definition of Sunnah
The meaning of Sunnah is that any saying, action, or tacit approval that is established from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is called Sunnah. In the Quran and Hadith, raising the hands is not mentioned in specific words as “Sunnah,” but it was the constant practice of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, which is called Sunnah.
Question 2
Are there authentic hadiths which mention that the Prophet ﷺ continued raising his hands until his death? Please quote them with references.
Answer
Authentic hadiths establish that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands in prayer from beginning to end. For example:
In Sahih al-Bukhari it is narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): “When the Prophet ﷺ began the prayer, he said the takbir and raised his hands up to his shoulders. When he went into ruku’ and when he raised his head from ruku’, he also raised his hands.”
This hadith is proof that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands, and it establishes that his raising of the hands during prayer took place within the prayer.
Sahih Muslim also contains this same narration: “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began the prayer, he raised his hands up to his shoulders, and when going into ruku’ and when rising from ruku’ he also raised his hands.”
From these narrations it is established that the Prophet ﷺ continued raising his hands in prayer throughout his entire life until his death.
Summary
➊ Raising the hands is a Sunnah, and its proof is found in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
➋ The Prophet ﷺ continued raising his hands in prayer until his death, and this practice is established by his Sunnah.
