This article is adapted from the book "Main Raf' al-Yadayn Kyun Karoon?" by Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.
According to the version published under the supervision of Habib ur-Rahman al-A'zami Deobandi, the wording of the narration is as follows:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raising his hands level with his shoulders when he began the prayer. When he intended to bow and after rising from bowing, he did not raise them, nor between the two prostrations."
(Musnad al-Humaydi 2/277, Hadith 614, researched by al-A'zami)
The phrase "فلا يرفع" ("he did not raise") is not authentic in this narration. The Deobandi-published version contains numerous errors, despite Habib ur-Rahman al-A'zami’s reliance on a manuscript from Maktabah Zahiriya, Damascus, which itself does not contain the phrase "فلا يرفع".
➋ Wider Transmission Invalidates the Addition
This narration is reported from Imam Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah through approximately 38 different students, all of whom consistently narrate the affirmation of Raf' al-Yadayn.
As detailed by Mufti Abu Jabir Abdullah Damanwi حفظه الله in Quran o Hadith Mein Tahreef (p. 151), if we temporarily accept the Deobandi version, it still stands shadh (anomalous) according to the principles of Hadith methodology, because it contradicts the mass transmission through other reliable chains.
And it is well-established that a shadh narration is categorized as weak.
➌ Other Critical Editions of Musnad al-Humaydi
The edition published by Dar al-Saqa, Damascus, under the supervision of Husayn Salim Asad al-Darani, also does not contain the phrase "فلا يرفع" (Volume 1, p. 515).
➍ Supporting Evidence from al-Mustakhraj 'ala Sahih Muslim
The narration is also reported by Imam Abu Nu'aym al-Asbahani in al-Mustakhraj 'ala Sahih al-Imam Muslim (Volume 2, p. 12), where six students narrate from Imam Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah, including Imam Humaydi رحمه الله himself.
This version supports the affirmation of Raf' al-Yadayn, not its negation. It is also explicitly mentioned at the end: "The wording belongs to al-Humaydi."
➎ References and Manuscript Evidence
These important references and manuscript evidences have been compiled and discussed extensively by Mufti Abu Jabir Damanwi حفظه الله in his book Quran o Hadith Mein Tahreef (p. 109–129). May Allah reward him abundantly for this valuable service.
The Hadith from Musnad al-Humaydi
The opponents of Raf' al-Yadayn (raising the hands) often cite a narration from Musnad al-Humaydi, attributed to Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما, claiming it supports the abandonment of Raf' al-Yadayn. However, as will be clarified below, this narration actually serves as evidence for affirming Raf' al-Yadayn.According to the version published under the supervision of Habib ur-Rahman al-A'zami Deobandi, the wording of the narration is as follows:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raising his hands level with his shoulders when he began the prayer. When he intended to bow and after rising from bowing, he did not raise them, nor between the two prostrations."
(Musnad al-Humaydi 2/277, Hadith 614, researched by al-A'zami)
Response and Analysis
➊ The Phrase "He Did Not Raise" is Not AuthenticatedThe phrase "فلا يرفع" ("he did not raise") is not authentic in this narration. The Deobandi-published version contains numerous errors, despite Habib ur-Rahman al-A'zami’s reliance on a manuscript from Maktabah Zahiriya, Damascus, which itself does not contain the phrase "فلا يرفع".
➋ Wider Transmission Invalidates the Addition
This narration is reported from Imam Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah through approximately 38 different students, all of whom consistently narrate the affirmation of Raf' al-Yadayn.
As detailed by Mufti Abu Jabir Abdullah Damanwi حفظه الله in Quran o Hadith Mein Tahreef (p. 151), if we temporarily accept the Deobandi version, it still stands shadh (anomalous) according to the principles of Hadith methodology, because it contradicts the mass transmission through other reliable chains.
And it is well-established that a shadh narration is categorized as weak.
➌ Other Critical Editions of Musnad al-Humaydi
The edition published by Dar al-Saqa, Damascus, under the supervision of Husayn Salim Asad al-Darani, also does not contain the phrase "فلا يرفع" (Volume 1, p. 515).
➍ Supporting Evidence from al-Mustakhraj 'ala Sahih Muslim
The narration is also reported by Imam Abu Nu'aym al-Asbahani in al-Mustakhraj 'ala Sahih al-Imam Muslim (Volume 2, p. 12), where six students narrate from Imam Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah, including Imam Humaydi رحمه الله himself.
This version supports the affirmation of Raf' al-Yadayn, not its negation. It is also explicitly mentioned at the end: "The wording belongs to al-Humaydi."
➎ References and Manuscript Evidence
These important references and manuscript evidences have been compiled and discussed extensively by Mufti Abu Jabir Damanwi حفظه الله in his book Quran o Hadith Mein Tahreef (p. 109–129). May Allah reward him abundantly for this valuable service.
