❀ Clarification on Imam Praying with Hands Unfolded in Masjid al-Nabawi ❀
✦ Fatwa by: Shaykh Dawood Ismail & Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahumallāh
❖ Question:
A video circulating on social media shows an Imam in Masjid al-Nabawi praying without folding his hands. What is the Shar‘i explanation for this?
❖ Answer:
This matter requires a balanced and informed understanding. The following points clarify the issue:
➊ Permissibility of Unfolding Hands in Nafl Prayer
- In nafl (voluntary) prayers, even standing (qiyām)—a pillar of prayer—can be omitted when praying while sitting.
- Therefore, folding the hands, which is a Sunnah, may be left due to fatigue or comfort, and it should not be severely objected to.
➋ Possible Context: Taraweeh Prayer
- The video may pertain to Taraweeh, in which long standing (qiyām) occurs.
- The Imam may have unfolded his hands temporarily due to tiredness or a valid excuse.
- Such temporary relaxation in posture is not a cause for rebuke.
➌ Arab Scholars and the Hanbali School
- Many Arab scholars follow the Hanbali school of jurisprudence.
- In Hanbali fiqh, folding the hands is recommended (Sunnah), not obligatory.
- The flexibility in this school allows for such practices under valid reasons.
➍ Importance of Following the Sunnah
- While folding the hands is the Sunnah, as agreed upon by scholars,
- If someone leaves it, especially under valid excuse, it should not be equated with going against Hadith.
- The act should be understood in light of scholarly differences and not sensationalized.
➎ Obedience, Order, and Unity in the Ummah
- If an Imam holds the juristic view that unfolding the hands is permissible,
- The public should not create division or dispute over such matters.
- Historically, even when rulers like Marwan introduced non-Sunnah practices, the Sahabah disapproved verbally, but did not boycott the congregation.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ Folding the hands is Sunnah, and acting upon it is best.
✔ In nafl or Taraweeh, unfolding hands due to fatigue or other reasons is not blameworthy.
✔ The public should maintain discipline, unity, and avoid unnecessary disputes over secondary matters.
✔ Such acts must not be framed as contradictions to Hadith, especially when rooted in valid jurisprudential views.
