Virtue of Raising the Hands in Prayer
Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When a man gestures with his hands in prayer, ten good deeds are recorded for him — one for each finger.”
(Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah, no. 3286)
Four Proven Occasions for Rafa‘ al-Yadayn
- At the start of the prayer with Takbir al-Ihram.
- Before going into ruku‘.
- After rising from ruku‘.
- When standing up for the third rak‘ah after sitting for tashahhud.
Authentic Narrations
① Testimony of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr رضي الله عنهما
“I prayed behind Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and he raised his hands to shoulder level at the start, before ruku‘, and after rising from ruku‘, saying that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to do the same.”
(Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, 2/37 — all narrators are trustworthy)
② Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه’s Teaching
When teaching people prayer, he faced the qiblah, raised his hands to shoulder height at the beginning, before ruku‘, and after ruku‘ — every time.
(Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Khilafiyyat — authentic chain)
③ Sayyiduna ‘Ali رضي الله عنه
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would raise his hands at the start of the prayer, before ruku‘, after rising from ruku‘, and when standing up after two rak‘ahs.”
(Abu Dawood: 744, Ibn Majah: 867, Tirmidhi: 342 — Hasan Sahih)
④ Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his hands at the start, before and after ruku‘, but not in sujood.”
(Bukhari: 735, Muslim: 390)
He himself practiced the same, saying: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did the same.”
(Bukhari: 739, Muslim: 390)
⑤ Statement of Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Madini
“Based on the hadith of Ibn ‘Umar, raising the hands in these places is obligatory upon Muslims.”
(Al-Talkhis al-Habir, 1/212)
⑥ Sayyiduna Malik ibn al-Huwayrith رضي الله عنه
He would raise his hands at the start, at ruku‘, and after ruku‘, saying: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did the same.”
(Bukhari: 737, Muslim: 391)
⑦ Sayyiduna Wa’il ibn Hujr رضي الله عنه
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raise his hands at the start of the prayer, before ruku‘, and after ruku‘.”
(Muslim: 401)
Note: Wa’il visited the Prophet ﷺ in 9 or 10 AH, proving the practice was never abrogated.
⑧ Sayyiduna Abu Humaid al-Sa‘idi رضي الله عنه
In the presence of ten Companions, he described the Prophet ﷺ’s prayer:
“He would raise his hands at the start, at ruku‘, after ruku‘, and when standing after two rak‘ahs.”
They all affirmed: “You have spoken the truth; this is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed.”
(Abu Dawood: 730, Tirmidhi: 304 — Hasan Sahih)
⑨ Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari رضي الله عنه
“Shall I not show you the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?” Then he prayed and raised his hands at the start, at ruku‘, and after ruku‘.
(Al-Daraqutni 1/292 — authentic chain)
⑩ Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his hands at the start of the prayer, before ruku‘, and after ruku‘.”
(Ibn Majah: 867, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 443)
⑪ Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنهما
“When he began the prayer, bowed, or rose from bowing, he would raise his hands and say: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did the same.”
(Musnad al-Siraj: 29, Ibn Majah: 868 — trustworthy chain)
Conclusion
- Rafa‘ al-yadayn is a firmly established Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Practiced consistently by the Sahabah after his passing.
- Supported by numerous sahih ahadith from multiple Companions.
- No authentic evidence of its abrogation exists.
