Analytical Review of the Weak Narration Regarding Folding Hands After Rukū‘
Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 380
❖ Question:
Is there any Hadith in Musnad Ahmad narrated by Sayyidunā Wā’il bin Ḥujr (رضي الله عنه) stating:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ raise his hands after rising from rukū‘ and then fold them”?
If such a Hadith exists, is it authentic or weak? Kindly provide clarification along with the reference.
✔ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ Reference of the Narration:
This narration is found in Musnad Ahmad, Volume 4, Page 318.
◈ Text and Reasoning of the Narration:
The narration states that Sayyidunā Wā’il bin Ḥujr (رضي الله عنه) said:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ raise his hands after rising from rukū‘ and then fold them.”
However, deriving a ruling based on the wording of this narration requires scrutiny. Upon detailed analysis, it becomes evident that establishing a ruling based on it is not valid.
◈ Ruling on the Chain of Narration:
The chain of narration is weak, and the reasons are as follows:
① Sufyān al-Thawrī is among the narrators of this narration.
② Sufyān al-Thawrī is a mudallis, meaning he sometimes transmits narrations using the term “‘an” (from) without mentioning his direct source.
③ In books outside of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, narrations with ‘an‘anah (the usage of “‘an” by a mudallis) are deemed weak.
📚 Source: Monthly Shahādat, July 2001 Edition
✿ Conclusion:
The narration does exist in Musnad Ahmad.
However, it is weak in terms of chain, since Sufyān al-Thawrī, despite being a mudallis, transmits it using ‘an, which renders the narration unacceptable.
Therefore, it is incorrect to use this narration as evidence for folding the hands after rukū‘.
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
