Evidence Regarding Abandonment of Raf' al-Yadayn from Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA)

This article is adapted from the book "Mein Raf' al-Yadayn Kyun Karun?" authored by the esteemed Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.

Evidence​

Al-Aswad at-Tabi‘i (رحمه الله) narrates:
“I performed prayer with Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), and he would not perform Raf' al-Yadayn (raising the hands) at any point in the prayer except at its beginning.”

Reference:
Muṣannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 1/268, Hadith No. 15

Analysis of the Evidence​

➊ This narration is weak, as there is a narrator in the chain, Ibrahim, who is a known Mudallis (one who practices Tadlis).
Imam al-Hakim (رحمه الله) states:
“This narration is Shaadh (anomalous) and not a valid proof.”

Reference:
Ma'rifah 'Ulum al-Hadith by al-Hakim, Mukhtaṣar Khilafiyat, 1/389

➋ This narration contradicts an authentic narration wherein Raf' al-Yadayn is affirmed from Sayyiduna Umar (رضي الله عنه).

Note​

The narration attributed to the Rightly Guided Caliph Sayyiduna Uthman ibn Affan (رضي الله عنه) suggesting that he performed Raf' al-Yadayn only at the beginning of the prayer is also severely weak.

Reference:
Muṣannaf 'Abd al-Razzaq, 2/70

❖ Conclusion​

The claim that Sayyiduna Umar (رضي الله عنه) abandoned Raf' al-Yadayn after the initial Takbir is not reliably established.
The narration is weak and contradicted by stronger authentic narrations proving that he practiced Raf' al-Yadayn during prayer. Thus, Raf' al-Yadayn remains a consistent Sunnah upheld by the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ