Compiled by: Tauheed.com
This article has been written to examine the proofs of Raf‘ al-Yadayn (raising both hands during specific positions of Salah), affirm its continuity, and analyze and refute the arguments presented by those who abandon this Sunnah. It includes references from authentic Hadith sources, with Arabic text, Urdu translation, and scholarly critique. This scholarly endeavor aims to shed light on the issue based on authentic evidence.
Text:
"Whenever the Prophet ﷺ stood for prayer, he raised both hands up to the shoulders. Then he said the Takbir. When he intended to go into Ruku‘, he did the same. When he rose from Ruku‘, he again raised his hands..."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Hadith 736)
✿ This Hadith establishes that the Prophet ﷺ consistently practiced Raf‘ al-Yadayn at the beginning of Salah, when going into Ruku‘, and after rising from Ruku‘.
✿ A similar narration is found in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 390), indicating the continuity of this Sunnah throughout his blessed life.
Summary:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raising his hands at the beginning of Salah, then placing the right hand over the left on his chest. When he bowed, he raised his hands again, and upon rising from Ruku‘, he raised his hands again..."
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitab al-Salah, Hadith 734)
✿ This Hadith is also recorded in Musnad Ahmad and other collections with supporting chains, elevating its authenticity.
✿ Had Raf‘ al-Yadayn been abrogated, there would have been explicit instructions or clear Hadiths from the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ No such announcement or declaration exists in the Hadith corpus.
✿ Therefore, the majority of Hadith scholars and jurists uphold Raf‘ al-Yadayn as a continuing Sunnah, followed by Imams like Malik, Shafi‘i, Ahmad, and even supported by some Hanafi researchers.
✿ This Hadith is often cited to claim that the Prophet ﷺ and early Caliphs only raised hands at the initial Takbir.
✿ However, this narration is graded weak by many leading Hadith scholars:
✿ Contradicted by authentic narrations of Ibn Mas‘ud’s own students.
✿ Hence, this Hadith is not acceptable as evidence.
✿ Narrated through ‘Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Layla, a weak narrator.
✿ Criticized by:
✿ Ibn Abi Layla was declared “weak in everything” and “frequently mistaken” by Ibn Hibban and others.
✿ Misunderstood by some to prohibit Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
✿ But it refers to unnecessary hand movements or gestures during Salah, not to Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
✿ Clarified by:
✿ Some weak narrations suggest they only raised hands at the start of Salah.
✿ But:
✔ Raf‘ al-Yadayn is a well-established, ongoing Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ There is no authentic Hadith proving it was ever abrogated.
✔ Arguments for abandoning it rely on weak, isolated, or contradictory reports rejected by Hadith experts.
✔ Authentic Hadiths from Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawood, Sunan al-Nasa’i, Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, etc., affirm Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
✔ A large body of Sahabah and Tabi‘in practiced it.
✔ It is affirmed by leading scholars of Hadith and Fiqh.
✿ Therefore, one should practice Raf‘ al-Yadayn without hesitation and not abandon a firmly established Sunnah based on weak or isolated reports.
وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
❖ Introduction:
This article has been written to examine the proofs of Raf‘ al-Yadayn (raising both hands during specific positions of Salah), affirm its continuity, and analyze and refute the arguments presented by those who abandon this Sunnah. It includes references from authentic Hadith sources, with Arabic text, Urdu translation, and scholarly critique. This scholarly endeavor aims to shed light on the issue based on authentic evidence.
❖ Part One: Proof of Raf‘ al-Yadayn and Its Non-Abrogation
1) Hadith of Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما) – Sahih al-Bukhari
Text:
"Whenever the Prophet ﷺ stood for prayer, he raised both hands up to the shoulders. Then he said the Takbir. When he intended to go into Ruku‘, he did the same. When he rose from Ruku‘, he again raised his hands..."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Hadith 736)
✿ This Hadith establishes that the Prophet ﷺ consistently practiced Raf‘ al-Yadayn at the beginning of Salah, when going into Ruku‘, and after rising from Ruku‘.
✿ A similar narration is found in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 390), indicating the continuity of this Sunnah throughout his blessed life.
2) Hadith of Wa’il ibn Hujr (رضي الله عنه) – Sunan Abi Dawood
Summary:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raising his hands at the beginning of Salah, then placing the right hand over the left on his chest. When he bowed, he raised his hands again, and upon rising from Ruku‘, he raised his hands again..."
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitab al-Salah, Hadith 734)
✿ This Hadith is also recorded in Musnad Ahmad and other collections with supporting chains, elevating its authenticity.
3) The Practice of the Ummah and Continuity of Raf‘ al-Yadayn
✿ Had Raf‘ al-Yadayn been abrogated, there would have been explicit instructions or clear Hadiths from the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ No such announcement or declaration exists in the Hadith corpus.
✿ Therefore, the majority of Hadith scholars and jurists uphold Raf‘ al-Yadayn as a continuing Sunnah, followed by Imams like Malik, Shafi‘i, Ahmad, and even supported by some Hanafi researchers.
❖ Part Two: Analysis and Rebuttal of the Evidence for Abandoning Raf‘ al-Yadayn
1) Hadith of Ibn Mas‘ud (رضي الله عنه)
✿ This Hadith is often cited to claim that the Prophet ﷺ and early Caliphs only raised hands at the initial Takbir.
✿ However, this narration is graded weak by many leading Hadith scholars:
- Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Called it “weak”.
- Yahya ibn Adam: “Not authentic.”
- Abu Hatim al-Razi: “This Hadith is mistaken.”
- Imam al-Bazzar: “This Hadith is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ.”
✿ Contradicted by authentic narrations of Ibn Mas‘ud’s own students.
✿ Hence, this Hadith is not acceptable as evidence.
2) Hadith of al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه)
✿ Narrated through ‘Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Layla, a weak narrator.
✿ Criticized by:
- Imam Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah: Avoided narrating it due to unreliability.
- Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Deemed it unreliable.
- Imam Bukhari: Mentioned its weakness in Juz’ Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
✿ Ibn Abi Layla was declared “weak in everything” and “frequently mistaken” by Ibn Hibban and others.
3) Hadith of Jabir ibn Samurah (رضي الله عنه)
✿ Misunderstood by some to prohibit Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
✿ But it refers to unnecessary hand movements or gestures during Salah, not to Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
✿ Clarified by:
- Imam al-Nawawi: “This Hadith is not about Raf‘ al-Yadayn. It only forbids unnecessary hand gestures during prayer.”
4) Attributions to Caliphs: ‘Umar, ‘Ali, and Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنهم)
✿ Some weak narrations suggest they only raised hands at the start of Salah.
✿ But:
- These narrations are weak or isolated, often from narrators like Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i.
- Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) was known to uphold and defend Raf‘ al-Yadayn – contradictory if his father had abandoned it.
- No reliable narration exists that Caliphs ever instructed against Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
❖ Part Three: Summary and Conclusion
✔ Raf‘ al-Yadayn is a well-established, ongoing Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ There is no authentic Hadith proving it was ever abrogated.
✔ Arguments for abandoning it rely on weak, isolated, or contradictory reports rejected by Hadith experts.
✔ Authentic Hadiths from Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawood, Sunan al-Nasa’i, Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, etc., affirm Raf‘ al-Yadayn.
✔ A large body of Sahabah and Tabi‘in practiced it.
✔ It is affirmed by leading scholars of Hadith and Fiqh.
✿ Therefore, one should practice Raf‘ al-Yadayn without hesitation and not abandon a firmly established Sunnah based on weak or isolated reports.
وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
