This writing is derived from the book “Main Raf’ al-Yadain Kyun Karun?” authored by respected Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.
The Hadith of Jabir bin Samurah (RA)
Many times, a narration of Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah (RA) is presented as evidence regarding the abandonment of raising hands (Raf’ al-Yadayn).
✦ First Hadith:
Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah (RA) states:
«خرج علينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال ما لي أراكم رافعي أيديكم كأنها أذناب خيل شمس، اسكنوا في الصلاة.»
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Ḥadīth: 968]
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came out to us and said: ‘Why do I see you raising your hands like the tails of unruly horses? Remain tranquil during the prayer.’”
Response:
❖ (1) The scholars of Hadith have placed this narration under the chapter of salutation (Salam).
❖ This hadith is unrelated to raising hands during Rukū‘ or Qiyām. It concerns raising hands at the time of Salam (ending the prayer).
✦ Second Hadith:
Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah (RA) says:
«كنا إذا صلينا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قلنا: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله، السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وأشار بيده إلى الجانبين، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: علام تؤمون بأيديكم كأنها أذناب خيل شمس؟»
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Ḥadīth: 970]
“When we prayed with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and finished, we would say: ‘As-Salāmu ʿAlaykum wa Raḥmatullāh’ while gesturing with our hands to the sides. The Messenger ﷺ said: ‘Why do you signal with your hands like the tails of unruly horses?’”
✦ Third Hadith:
Further narration by Jabir bin Samurah (RA):
«كنا إذا صلينا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قلنا: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله، السلام عليكم ورحمة الله، وأشار بيده عن يمينه وشماله…»
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Ḥadīth: 971]
Clarification:
✔ According to Mufti Taqi Usmani, using this narration to prohibit raising hands during Rukūʿ is incorrect.
✔ Imam Bukhari and Imam Nawawi both clearly state that this narration pertains to gesturing during Salam, not to Raf’ al-Yadayn during Rukūʿ.
Scholars’ Views on the Matter
✿ Imam Nawawi writes in al-Majmūʿ:
“Using this narration as evidence against raising hands in Rukūʿ is ignorance of the Sunnah.”
✿ Shaykh al-Hind Mahmood Hasan Deobandi writes:
“It is unjust to use the hadith about horse tails against Raf’ al-Yadayn because it pertains to Salam, not Rukūʿ.”
✿ Imam Bukhari said:
“Whoever uses Jabir bin Samurah’s narration to oppose raising hands during Rukūʿ has no share in knowledge.”
Important Points
❀ This narration concerns only hand movements during Salam.
❀ It does not affect the established Sunnah of raising hands at the beginning of Salah, during Rukūʿ, and after Rukūʿ.
❀ Raising hands (Raf’ al-Yadayn) is a confirmed practice of the Prophet ﷺ, proven by multiple continuous narrations (mutawatir ahadith).
A Final Note
⚠ Comparing the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ to “the tails of unruly horses” is an extremely disrespectful and severe error.
Raising hands in Salah is a beloved Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and should be honored accordingly.
For further detailed study, refer to: “Dalīl Number Two” as mentioned in the related articles.
