The Legal Status of Raising Hands in the Extra Takbīrs of Eid al-Adha
✍ Authored by: Qari Usama bin Abdus-Salam
﴿وَذَكِّرْهُم بِأَيَّامِ اللَّهِ﴾ (Ibrāhīm: 5)
Translation: "And remind them of the Days of Allah."
According to the scholars of Tafsir, the term “Ayyāmullāh” includes Eid al-Adha and the Days of Tashrīq. A prominent symbol of these days is the proclamation of Takbīrāt of Tashrīq and Eid Takbīrs. During these days, glorifying Allah is a distinctive hallmark and an Islamic emblem.
﴿وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ﴾ (Al-Baqarah: 185)
Although this verse was revealed concerning the end of Ramadan, the general command to magnify Allah within it also applies to both Eids. Therefore, proclaiming Takbīr during Eid is a legislated act.
On the authority of Wā’il ibn Hujr:
"I saw the Prophet ﷺ, whenever he said the Takbīr, he would raise his hands."
(Musnad Ahmad: 18384, Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 723)
This ḥadīth clearly establishes the Sunnah of raising the hands, which is practiced at various occasions in prayer.
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما:
"The Prophet ﷺ used to raise his hands with every Takbīr on both Eids."
(Ad-Dāraqutnī: 1714, Al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ: 5795)
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما:
"He used to raise his hands with every Takbīr of Eid."
(Muṣannaf ʿAbdur Razzāq: 5685)
These narrations clearly demonstrate that the Prophet ﷺ would raise his hands with every additional Takbīr, whether on Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. This action is established from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
"He used to raise his hands with every Takbīr during the two Eids."
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/82)
"He would raise his hands with every Takbīr of Eid."
(Muṣannaf ʿAbdur Razzāq: 5685)
"Abu Hurairah used to raise his hands with every Takbīr."
(Sunan Ad-Dāraqutnī: 2/49)
These athār (reports from the Companions) make it evident that the Sahabah used to raise their hands during the extra Takbīrs of Eid. This signifies that the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ was alive and prevalent among them.
"They used to raise their hands with every Takbīr during Eid."
(Muṣannaf ʿAbdur Razzāq: 5687)
"He would raise his hands with every Takbīr of Eid."
(Sunan al-Bayhaqī: 3/290)
The Tabiʿīn and Taba Tabiʿīn also practiced this Sunnah consistently, which proves this action to be part of an established and continuous Sunnah (Sunnah Mutawātirah).
"The worshipper should raise his hands with every Takbīr during Eid."
(Kitāb al-Umm: 1/125)
"The Sunnah is to raise the hands with every Takbīr during Eid."
(Al-Majmūʿ: 5/25)
"The worshipper should raise his hands in the Takbīrs of Eid as the Companions used to do."
(Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā: 22/43)
"Raising the hands in the Takbīrs of Eid is from the established Sunnah."
(Zād al-Maʿād: 1/443)
These statements highlight that the renowned jurists and scholars of hadith declared this practice as a confirmed Sunnah, proven from the Prophet ﷺ.
Raising the hands during the extra Takbīrs of Eid al-Adha is:
✔ A practice proven from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
✔ Followed consistently by the noble Companions رضي الله عنهم
✔ Adopted by the Tabiʿīn and Taba Tabiʿīn as a continuous tradition
✔ Declared by scholars as a confirmed Sunnah
❖ Therefore, performing Rafʿ al-Yadayn during the additional Takbīrs of Eid al-Adha is a clear and actionable Sunnah. Acting upon it reflects adherence to the Sunnah and avoidance of innovation.
✍ Authored by: Qari Usama bin Abdus-Salam
In the Light of the Noble Qur'an
﴿وَذَكِّرْهُم بِأَيَّامِ اللَّهِ﴾ (Ibrāhīm: 5)
Translation: "And remind them of the Days of Allah."
According to the scholars of Tafsir, the term “Ayyāmullāh” includes Eid al-Adha and the Days of Tashrīq. A prominent symbol of these days is the proclamation of Takbīrāt of Tashrīq and Eid Takbīrs. During these days, glorifying Allah is a distinctive hallmark and an Islamic emblem.
﴿وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ﴾ (Al-Baqarah: 185)
Although this verse was revealed concerning the end of Ramadan, the general command to magnify Allah within it also applies to both Eids. Therefore, proclaiming Takbīr during Eid is a legislated act.
Ahādīth of the Noble Prophet ﷺ
(A) Raising Hands During General Takbīr
On the authority of Wā’il ibn Hujr:
"I saw the Prophet ﷺ, whenever he said the Takbīr, he would raise his hands."
(Musnad Ahmad: 18384, Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 723)
This ḥadīth clearly establishes the Sunnah of raising the hands, which is practiced at various occasions in prayer.
(B) Raising Hands During the Extra Takbīrs of Eid
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما:
"The Prophet ﷺ used to raise his hands with every Takbīr on both Eids."
(Ad-Dāraqutnī: 1714, Al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ: 5795)
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما:
"He used to raise his hands with every Takbīr of Eid."
(Muṣannaf ʿAbdur Razzāq: 5685)
These narrations clearly demonstrate that the Prophet ﷺ would raise his hands with every additional Takbīr, whether on Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. This action is established from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Sayings of the Companions رضي الله عنهم
(A) Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما:
"He used to raise his hands with every Takbīr during the two Eids."
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 2/82)
(B) Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما:
"He would raise his hands with every Takbīr of Eid."
(Muṣannaf ʿAbdur Razzāq: 5685)
(C) Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:
"Abu Hurairah used to raise his hands with every Takbīr."
(Sunan Ad-Dāraqutnī: 2/49)
These athār (reports from the Companions) make it evident that the Sahabah used to raise their hands during the extra Takbīrs of Eid. This signifies that the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ was alive and prevalent among them.
Practice of the Tabiʿīn and Taba Tabiʿīn
(A) Imām Saʿīd ibn al-Musayyib رحمه الله:
"They used to raise their hands with every Takbīr during Eid."
(Muṣannaf ʿAbdur Razzāq: 5687)
(B) Imām Hasan al-Baṣrī رحمه الله:
"He would raise his hands with every Takbīr of Eid."
(Sunan al-Bayhaqī: 3/290)
The Tabiʿīn and Taba Tabiʿīn also practiced this Sunnah consistently, which proves this action to be part of an established and continuous Sunnah (Sunnah Mutawātirah).
Statements of Classical Jurists and Hadith Scholars (Up to the Middle Centuries)
(A) Imām al-Shāfiʿī رحمه الله (204 AH):
"The worshipper should raise his hands with every Takbīr during Eid."
(Kitāb al-Umm: 1/125)
(B) Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله (676 AH):
"The Sunnah is to raise the hands with every Takbīr during Eid."
(Al-Majmūʿ: 5/25)
(C) Imām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله (728 AH):
"The worshipper should raise his hands in the Takbīrs of Eid as the Companions used to do."
(Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā: 22/43)
(D) Imām Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله (751 AH):
"Raising the hands in the Takbīrs of Eid is from the established Sunnah."
(Zād al-Maʿād: 1/443)
These statements highlight that the renowned jurists and scholars of hadith declared this practice as a confirmed Sunnah, proven from the Prophet ﷺ.
Conclusion
Raising the hands during the extra Takbīrs of Eid al-Adha is:
✔ A practice proven from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
✔ Followed consistently by the noble Companions رضي الله عنهم
✔ Adopted by the Tabiʿīn and Taba Tabiʿīn as a continuous tradition
✔ Declared by scholars as a confirmed Sunnah
❖ Therefore, performing Rafʿ al-Yadayn during the additional Takbīrs of Eid al-Adha is a clear and actionable Sunnah. Acting upon it reflects adherence to the Sunnah and avoidance of innovation.
