✿ Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori ✿
ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كبر على جنازة فرفع يديه فى أول تكبيرة ووضع اليمنى على اليسرى
“Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said the takbir (for the Janazah prayer), raised his hands with the first takbir, and then placed his right hand over the left.”
[Tirmidhi: 2/165; Al-Daraqutni: 192; Al-Bayhaqi: 284; Ahkam al-Jana’iz: p. 147]
From this narration, it is clear that Rafʿ al-Yadayn is authentically reported only with the first takbir in the Janazah prayer.
It is reported that he used to raise his hands with every takbir in the Janazah prayer.
[Bukhari, before Hadith: 1322; Kitab al-Jana’iz: Chapter on the Sunnah in the Funeral Prayer]
✔ Majority of scholars, including Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله) and Imam Shafi‘i (رحمه الله), hold the view that one should raise hands with every takbir in the Janazah prayer.
✘ Hanafis maintain that Rafʿ al-Yadayn is only to be done with the first takbir, and not with the rest.
[Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi: 2/165; Ahkam al-Jana’iz by Al-Albani: p. 147]
❶ Authentically proven from the Prophet ﷺ: Raising hands with the first takbir only.
❷ Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) practiced Rafʿ al-Yadayn with all takbirs.
❸ Majority of scholars (Ahmadis, Shafi‘is) support raising hands with each takbir.
❹ Hanafi view permits raising hands only with the first takbir.
❺ The matter is flexible, and both practices have basis within Islamic tradition.
❀ Rafʿ al-Yadayn (Raising Hands) During the Takbirs of Janazah Prayer
Narration from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كبر على جنازة فرفع يديه فى أول تكبيرة ووضع اليمنى على اليسرى
“Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said the takbir (for the Janazah prayer), raised his hands with the first takbir, and then placed his right hand over the left.”
[Tirmidhi: 2/165; Al-Daraqutni: 192; Al-Bayhaqi: 284; Ahkam al-Jana’iz: p. 147]From this narration, it is clear that Rafʿ al-Yadayn is authentically reported only with the first takbir in the Janazah prayer.
Practice of Hazrat Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
It is reported that he used to raise his hands with every takbir in the Janazah prayer.
[Bukhari, before Hadith: 1322; Kitab al-Jana’iz: Chapter on the Sunnah in the Funeral Prayer]❖ Scholarly Opinions:
✔ Majority of scholars, including Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله) and Imam Shafi‘i (رحمه الله), hold the view that one should raise hands with every takbir in the Janazah prayer.
✘ Hanafis maintain that Rafʿ al-Yadayn is only to be done with the first takbir, and not with the rest.
[Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi: 2/165; Ahkam al-Jana’iz by Al-Albani: p. 147]✔ Summary of the Ruling:
❶ Authentically proven from the Prophet ﷺ: Raising hands with the first takbir only.
❷ Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) practiced Rafʿ al-Yadayn with all takbirs.
❸ Majority of scholars (Ahmadis, Shafi‘is) support raising hands with each takbir.
❹ Hanafi view permits raising hands only with the first takbir.
❺ The matter is flexible, and both practices have basis within Islamic tradition.
