Raising Hands for Duʿāʾ Individually After Obligatory Ṣalāh

Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Discussion on Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 211

❖ Question:​

Aḥādīth mention that duʿāʾ is accepted after obligatory prayers, and some narrations describe raising hands while making duʿāʾ. Considering both, if someone makes duʿāʾ individually with raised hands after obligatory ṣalāh, is this practice correct, or does it contain any objection?

❖ Answer:​

Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!

• It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ made duʿāʾ when entering and leaving the mosque, and likewise when entering and leaving the home.
• Other narrations also establish that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes made duʿāʾ with raised hands.

Now, reflect:

• Do those who raise hands after every ṣalāh also raise their hands on the occasions of entering or leaving the mosque or home, where duʿāʾ is established?
• Do they encourage others to do so there as well?

If not, then by the same reasoning they use to justify raising hands after every ṣalāh, the same should apply to those other occasions.


This shows that:

• The principle being applied is not consistent.
• Hence, making duʿāʾ after ṣalāh is indeed permissible, but regularly raising hands specifically after obligatory ṣalāh is not proven from the Sunnah.

Conclusion​

• Duʿāʾ after ṣalāh is Sunnah and recommended.
• Raising hands in duʿāʾ is also Sunnah in certain contexts.
• But to consistently join both together after every obligatory prayer is not established from the Prophet ﷺ, therefore it should not be made into a practice of Sunnah.

ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب