Question:
What is the Sharʿī ruling on Rafʿ al-Yadayn (raising the hands), saying Āmīn aloud, and folding the hands in prayer? If these are omitted, is the prayer invalid?
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Ṣalāh Section, Vol. 1, p.179
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
- Rafʿ al-Yadayn (raising the hands),
- saying Āmīn aloud,
- and folding the hands in prayer
— if any one of these, or two, or even all three are abandoned, then such a prayer is not in accordance with the prayer of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly said:
«صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُوْنِيْ أُصَلِّيْ»
“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
(al-Bukhārī)
Therefore, neglecting these Sunnah acts is contrary to the way the Prophet ﷺ performed prayer.
✅ Conclusion
- Omitting Rafʿ al-Yadayn, saying Āmīn aloud, or folding the hands does not render the prayer invalid in the sense of being void,
- But it removes it from the complete Sunnah form of the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer, making it deficient and contrary to his guidance.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
