Refutation of 5 Fabricated Arguments Against Rafa‘ al-Yadayn

① The "Idol Under the Armpit" Story​

Some claim:


“Hypocrites used to hide idols under their sleeves or armpits, and rafa‘ al-yadayn was done to drop them. Later, it was abandoned.”


Refutation:

• No basis in hadith books — this is a fabricated tale without any chain of transmission.
• Historical impossibility — congregational salah was made obligatory in Madinah, where there were no idols in the mosques.
• Contradicts claimed belief — those who also believe the Prophet ﷺ had complete unseen knowledge should realise that in their claim, he would not need rafa‘ al-yadayn to discover an idol.
• Logic issue — why would hypocrites carry idols under their arms instead of in pockets or hidden bags?
• No punishment recorded — if idols were actually dropped, where is the report of punishment?

Conclusion: It’s a baseless folk story.

② The “Ibn Zubayr” Report​

Some quote:


“Ibn Zubayr رضي الله عنه said: The Prophet ﷺ did rafa‘ al-yadayn and later abandoned it.”


Refutation:

• This narration is mursal (disconnected) and weak.
• Imam Zayla‘i in Nasb al-Rayah (1/404) and Nur al-‘Aynayn (p. 154–155) declared it weak.

③ Claim of Abrogation (Naskh)​

For abrogation, four conditions must be met:

1. Two authentic reports contradict each other.
2. Both are accepted (sahih) narrations.
3. No reconciliation is possible.
4. Clear evidence shows which is earlier and which is later.

Reality:

• Rafa‘ al-yadayn narrations are numerous and authentic.
• “Non-rafa‘ al-yadayn” narrations are few and weak.
• A weak report cannot abrogate a strong one.

④ Evidence It Was Never Abrogated​

• Late practice in the Prophet’s ﷺ life: Sahabah narrated rafa‘ al-yadayn in the 9th & 10th Hijri years.
• Sahabah after the Prophet ﷺ: Continued practicing it.
• Three of the Four Imams: Imam Malik, Imam Shafi‘i, Imam Ahmad endorsed it.
• Hadith scholars’ consensus: None of them declared it abrogated.

⑤ The Ibn Mas‘ud Report​

Claimed:


“I prayed with the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr, and ‘Umar — they only raised their hands at the start.” (Bayhaqi 2/97)


Refutation:

• Chain contains Muhammad ibn Jābir — weak narrator.
• Imam Daruqutni: weak. Ibn al-Jawzi & Ibn Taymiyyah: fabricated.
• Imam Bukhari: “Non-rafa‘ al-yadayn is not authentically reported from any Companion.” (Juz’ Rafa‘ al-Yadayn, p. 40)

Summary:

• Authentic ahadith prove rafa‘ al-yadayn at the start, before & after ruku‘.
• Opposing reports are weak or fabricated.
• Abandoning a sunnah with fabricated or weak evidence is opposing the Sunnah.