Question:
Was Rafʿ al-Yadayn (raising the hands in prayer) a Sunnah from the beginning of Islam?
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Ṣalāh Section, Vol. 1, p.179
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
From the narrations of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is absolutely clear that:
- The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would raise his hands (rafʿ al-yadayn) when:
① Beginning the prayer,
② Before going into rukūʿ,
③ When rising from rukūʿ,
④ When standing up after two rakʿāt.
Reference:
(Al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb Rafʿ al-Yadayn iḏā Qāma mina’r-Rakʿatayn)
◈ Important Points Derived
- Rafʿ al-Yadayn was performed in all these places.
- These postures exist in every prayer, whether in the beginning of Islam, the middle, or the end.
- Therefore, Rafʿ al-Yadayn is part of the continuous Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ from the start till the end of his life.
◈ A Simple Question to Opponents
Ask those who deny this:
- “Was raising the hands at the opening takbīr (takbīrat al-iḥrām) practiced from the beginning of Islam, or later?”
➤ Whatever answer they give, the same applies to Rafʿ al-Yadayn before and after rukūʿ, because all are reported in the same authentic aḥādīth.
◈ Claim Regarding Jibrīl (عليه السلام)
Some claim that when Jibrīl (عليه السلام) taught the Prophet ﷺ the prayer, he did not demonstrate Rafʿ al-Yadayn.
➤ This requires proof. Let them present a ḥadīth stating so.
- There is no authentic narration in which the Prophet ﷺ prayed without Rafʿ al-Yadayn.
Conclusion
- Rafʿ al-Yadayn was a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ from the beginning of Islam until the end.
- The claim that Jibrīl (عليه السلام) did not demonstrate it has no authentic evidence.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
