From the contradictions of the Sunnah regarding the manner of raising the hands with the Takbeer, is what some of the worshipers do. From that:
- 1. Raising the hands under the shoulders to the pectorals.
- 2. Bending the fingers of the hand.
- 3. That he turns the bottoms of the hands towards the face or he makes them face each other.
- 4. That he separate his hands much from the sides of his shoulders with the Takbeer.
- 5. That he raise one hand without raising the other.
- 6. That he flap his hands about with the Takbeer.
- 7. That he raise his hands over his head.
All of these descriptions oppose the Sunnah!
Taken from: Explanation of the Prophet’s Prayer Described, by Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool (hafidhahullaah)
Translated by: Raha ibn Donald Batts
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The Correct Manner of Raising the Hands In The Prayer, by Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-’Uthaymeen was asked: What is the manner and place of raising the hands? There are some who raise the hands to the chest, and some who raise them to their lower part of their chests. Please clarify for us the correct manner in this. And may Allaah reward you.
Shaykh al-’Uthaymeen answered: Raising of the hands in the prayer is in four places/times:
- First: During the Takbeeratul Ihraam (The Opening/Beginning of the Salaat)
- Second: While going to Rukoo’ (bowing position)
- Third: After rising from the Rukoo’
- And the fourth place is at the rising from the first Tashahhud [1]
[And as for the way of raising the hands]:
The hands are not to be raised past the height of the (upper) tips of the ears, or (you can raise the hands) to the ear lobes, or to the shoulders. [2] This is the Sunnaah. Meaning either you raise your hands to the top of the ears, or to the height of the ear lobes, or to the shoulders.
As for raising the hands to (the height of) the chest, then this is wrong. In reality this action is useless, and there is no reward for the person who does this. This is because this action (raising the hands to the chest) has not come in the Sunnah, and nor does this action bring tranquility. So it is just a movement of an action that is not legislated; thus, this will be from the actions that are not part of the salaat and are in vain.
Therefore, we tell our brothers and sisters who are diligent on acting upon the Sunnah, (especially) in raising the hands: The least is that they should raise their hands to the shoulders, or (they could do more) and raise them to the ear lobes, or to the upper part of the ears.”
And it is best, that you do this one at a time, and the next some other time. So as to revive the Sunnah in all its aspects and actions.
Footnotes:
[1] This in reference to the hadeeth in Saheeh Bukhaaree from Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhuma): “When the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stood for prayer, he raised his hands until they were at the level of his shoulders then said, ‘Allaahu akbar,’ and he would do that when he said, ‘Allaahu akbar’ for the bowing. And when he raised his head from bowing, he raised them like that as well and then said ‘Sami’ Allaahu liman hamidah, Rabbana walakal hamd.’”
In another narration, also in Saheeh Bukhaaree, Ibn ‘Umar reported, “When Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stood from the second rak’ah, he said ‘Allaahu akbar’ and raised his hands.” This has also been narrated in the hadeeth of Abee Humayd as-Saa’idee (radiallaahu ‘anhu). See Saheeh Sunan Abu Daawood by Imaam al-Albaanee, no. 670.
* It should be noted that raising the hands is also authenticated while rising from every (applicable) rak’ah. Shaykh al-’Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) did not mention this. Please refer back to Sifaatu-Salaat an-Nabee (The Prophet’s Prayer Described) of al-Imaam al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah).
[For example, Shaykh Al-Albaanee mentioned in the footnotes under the chapter “Standing up for the Third, and then the Fourth Rak’ah” that there is a hadeeth with an authentic chain in Abu ‘Awaanah and Nasaa`ee that proves the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to sometimes raise his hands when rising for the fourth rak’ah.]
[2] The above hadeeth in Saheeh Bukhaaree from Ibn ‘Umar states the proof for raising the hands to the level of the shoulders. As for raising them to the ears, it is in the report of Maalik bin al-Huwayrith (radiallaahu ‘anhu) who said: “I saw the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) raise his hands when he said ‘Allaahu akbar,’ when he bowed, and when he raised his head from bowing, until they extended to the level of his ears.” See Saheeh Sunan Abu Daawood by Imaam al-Albaanee, no. 670.
[Shaykh Al-Albaanee wrote in The Prophet’s Prayer Described, under the Chapter “Raising The Hands”:
He (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would raise his hands sometimes with the takbeer [4], sometimes after the takbeer [5], and sometimes before it. [6]
“He would raise them with fingers apart [not spaced out, nor together],” [7] and “he would put them level with his shoulders” [8], although occasionally, “he would raise them until they were level with [the tops of] his ears.” [9]
4- Bukhaaree, Nasaa`ee
5- ibid
6- Bukhaaree, Abu Daawood
7- Abu Daawood, Ibn Khuzaimah (1/62/2, 64/1), Tammaam & Haakim who declared it saheeh, and Dhahabee agreed
8- Bukhaaree, Nasaa`ee
9- Bukhaaree, Abu Daawood ]
Translation by: Abu Waheeda as-Salafee
Source: The Correct Manner of Raising the Hands In The Prayer by Shaikh al-’Uthaimeen
Source: daarulhadeeth. org/2014/08/25/some-mistakes-made-concerning-the-manner-of-raising-the-hands-with-the-takbeer/
