Division of Sunnah and Fardh in Salah: The Companions’ Practice and the Legal Status of Raf‘ al-Yadayn
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
◈ Introduction
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
In matters of Sharīʿah, the approach of the noble Companions رضي الله عنهم was extremely clear and worthy of emulation. They would accept every statement and action of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ without hesitation, and did not indulge in debates over what is “necessary” or “not necessary.”
◈ General Conduct of the Companions رضي الله عنهم
❖ The method of the Companions was that whatever command the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave or whatever action he demonstrated, they would adopt it.
❖ They did not categorize Sharʿī commands using terms like “obligatory” or “non-obligatory.”
❖ This approach was equally applied by them in the matter of Ṣalāh (prayer).
◈ Clear Command of the Prophet ﷺ
"صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي"
“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6705)
This ḥadīth is a clear instruction from the Prophet ﷺ that prayer must be performed exactly as he ﷺ performed it. After such a directive, to debate whether a specific act, such as Raf‘ al-Yadayn (raising the hands), is Sunnah or Fardh was not the way of the Companions.
◈ Sensitivity of the Companions Regarding Prayer
Sayyidunā Ḥudhayfah رضي الله عنه once saw a man not completing his rukūʿ and sujūd properly in prayer and said:
"لَوْ مِتَّ مِتَّ عَلَىٰ غَيْرِ سُنَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ"
“If you die in this state, you will not die upon the Sunnah of Muḥammad ﷺ.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 389)
This statement highlights the sensitivity and seriousness of the Companions when it came to following the Sunnah in prayer.
◈ The Status of Raf‘ al-Yadayn
❖ Raf‘ al-Yadayn is authentically proven from the Prophet ﷺ through sound chains of narration.
❖ It is a part of prayer and is classified as a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah).
❖ If someone does not perform Raf‘ al-Yadayn, their prayer is not like the prayer of the Prophet ﷺ.
❖ However, the acceptance of prayer is ultimately a matter between Allah ﷻ and the servant.
◈ Following the Prophet ﷺ and the Approach of the Companions
❖ We should adopt the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ without making distinctions.
❖ Instead of dividing acts of worship, we should emulate the approach of the Companions, who performed every Sunnah with full compliance.
✔ Summary of Guidance
➊ Rather than delving into the division between Sunnah and Fardh in prayer, we must follow the Prophet ﷺ exactly as the Companions did.
➋ Raf‘ al-Yadayn is a Sunnah, and due to being a practice of the Prophet ﷺ, it is necessary to act upon it.
➌ The acceptance of any deed lies with Allah ﷻ, but our responsibility is to adhere strictly to the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ without hesitation.
وَبِاللّٰهِ التَّوْفِيق
