❖ Method of Rafʿ al-Yadayn (Raising Hands) for a Latecomer in Congregational Prayer ❖
✍ Answered by: Shaykh Saʿīd Mujtabā Saʿīdī ḥafiẓahullāh & Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
If a person joins the congregational prayer (Jamāʿah) in the second or third rakʿah, how should he practice Rafʿ al-Yadayn (raising the hands)?
Should he do Rafʿ al-Yadayn according to his own prayer sequence, or follow the Imam’s progression?
✔ The Muqtadī (follower) should perform Rafʿ al-Yadayn according to his own prayer, not according to the Imam's rakʿah.
🡆 For example:
If a person joins the prayer in the second rakʿah, that rakʿah is actually his first rakʿah, so he will raise his hands when standing for what becomes his third rakʿah after the Imam completes the prayer.
Islamic law does not fix a set number (such as four, six, or eight) for Rafʿ al-Yadayn in general. Instead, specific positions in Salah are described where Rafʿ al-Yadayn is performed:
At the beginning of the prayer
Before Rukūʿ
After rising from Rukūʿ
Upon standing for the third rakʿah
Hence:
◈ If a latecomer raises his hands according to his own rakʿah count, this is correct.
◈ If he chooses to align with the Imam’s rakʿah, it is also permissible.
In both cases, there is no harm, and the prayer remains valid, in shāʾ Allāh.
✍ Answered by: Shaykh Saʿīd Mujtabā Saʿīdī ḥafiẓahullāh & Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Question
If a person joins the congregational prayer (Jamāʿah) in the second or third rakʿah, how should he practice Rafʿ al-Yadayn (raising the hands)?
Should he do Rafʿ al-Yadayn according to his own prayer sequence, or follow the Imam’s progression?
❖ Answer
✔ The Muqtadī (follower) should perform Rafʿ al-Yadayn according to his own prayer, not according to the Imam's rakʿah.
🡆 For example:
If a person joins the prayer in the second rakʿah, that rakʿah is actually his first rakʿah, so he will raise his hands when standing for what becomes his third rakʿah after the Imam completes the prayer.
❖ Further Clarification
Islamic law does not fix a set number (such as four, six, or eight) for Rafʿ al-Yadayn in general. Instead, specific positions in Salah are described where Rafʿ al-Yadayn is performed:
At the beginning of the prayer Before Rukūʿ After rising from Rukūʿ Upon standing for the third rakʿahHence:
◈ If a latecomer raises his hands according to his own rakʿah count, this is correct.
◈ If he chooses to align with the Imam’s rakʿah, it is also permissible.
In both cases, there is no harm, and the prayer remains valid, in shāʾ Allāh.
