✦ Critical Analysis of the Rafʿ al-Yadayn Narration in Musnad al-Ḥumaydī
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 353
❖ Question
In the Musnad al-Ḥumaydī (Deobandiyyah edition, researched by al-Aʿẓamī), a narration is attributed to ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه that allegedly indicates the abandonment of Rafʿ al-Yadayn. Some scholars—such as Sarfraz Khān Ṣafdar Deobandī in Khazāʾin al-Sunan, Vol. 2, p. 99—present it as evidence against Rafʿ al-Yadayn.
However, you have demonstrated in your writings (e.g., Nūr al-Qamarayn) that this narration in the Deobandiyyah edition is tampered, while the correct version, found in the Ẓāhiriyyah manuscript and others, supports Rafʿ al-Yadayn.
The question is:
Does this narration appear elsewhere with Imām al-Ḥumaydī’s chain confirming Rafʿ al-Yadayn?
❖ Scholarly Response
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd:
Yes, the authentic version of this narration from Imām al-Ḥumaydī—which affirms Rafʿ al-Yadayn—is indeed found in another reliable ḥadīth compilation.
This narration is cited by al-Ḥāfiẓ Abū Nuʿaym al-Ṣiḥābānī (d. 430 AH) in his book:"Al-Musnad al-Mustakhraj ʿalā Ṣaḥīḥ al-Imām Muslim"
◈ Volume: Unnumbered
◈ Page: 12
◈ Publisher: ʿAbbās Aḥmad al-Bāz, Makkah al-Mukarramah
➡ In this version, Rafʿ al-Yadayn is clearly affirmed, aligning with the authentic tradition upheld by the majority of scholars.
Conclusion
The version of the narration in the Musnad al-Ḥumaydī (Deobandiyyah edition) contradicts the verified manuscript versions and appears to be corrupted or tampered. The authentic narration—supported by the Ẓāhiriyyah manuscript and confirmed by Abū Nuʿaym’s Mustakhraj—clearly proves the practice of Rafʿ al-Yadayn.
➡ Therefore, using the Deobandiyyah edition as evidence against Rafʿ al-Yadayn is invalid and misleading.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
