Table of Contents
🌙 Introduction
The issue of Raf’ al-Yadayn (raising hands during Salah) is one where the Hanafi madhhab differs from other Sunni schools. While Shafi’is, Malikis, and Hanbalis raise hands at multiple points in Salah, Hanafis only raise hands at the beginning (Takbiratul Ihram).
This blog will explore 10+ authentic Hadiths and scholarly proofs explaining why Hanafis do not raise hands after the initial Takbir.
📜 Primary Hadith Evidence Against Raf’ al-Yadayn
1. Hadith of Imam Ali (RA) – Explicit Rejection of Repetition
“The Prophet (ﷺ) used to raise his hands only once at the beginning of Salah and did not repeat it afterward.”
(Sunan al-Daraqutni, Hasan)
This is the strongest evidence in Hanafi fiqh.
2. Hadith of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA) – Companion Practice
“Should I not pray for you the way the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed?”
Then he prayed without raising his hands except at the start.
*(Sahih Bukhari, 1/180)*
3. Hadith of Alqama (RA) – Confirming Ibn Mas’ud’s Method
“I saw Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA) praying, and he only raised his hands once at the beginning.”
*(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 1/344)*
4. Hadith of Abu Huraira (RA) – No Mention of Raf’ al-Yadayn
In the long Hadith of Salah description, Abu Huraira (RA) details the Prophet’s prayer but does not mention raising hands after Takbir.
(Sahih Muslim 397)
⚖️ Supporting Scholarly Arguments
5. Principle of Continuity (Istiṣḥāb)
Hanafi fiqh follows:
“The original state is no action unless proven by strong evidence.”
Since no continuous proof exists for Raf’ al-Yadayn after Takbir, it is not practiced.
6. Weakness of Some Raf’ al-Yadayn Narrations
Many Hadiths about raising hands are:
- Mursal (missing links in chain)
- Contradicted by stronger narrations
Example:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) raised his hands before Ruku’ and after it.”
(Sahih Bukhari 735)
However, this is not a command and may have been occasional.
7. Consensus of Kufan Scholars
- Imam Abu Hanifa (RH) learned from Hammad ibn Abi Sulayman, who learned from Ibrahim al-Nakha’i, who learned from Ibn Mas’ud (RA).
- The Kufan school preserved this tradition.
8. Imam Malik’s Similar View (Limited Raf’ al-Yadayn)
Even Malikis only raise hands at the beginning, showing this was a known position.
❌ Debunking Common Misconceptions
9. “But Bukhari and Muslim Mention Raf’ al-Yadayn!”
✅ Hanafi Response:
- Many Hadiths are general descriptions, not obligations.
- Some Hadiths may refer to voluntary actions, not Fard.
10. “Didn’t the Prophet (ﷺ) Sometimes Raise Hands?”
✅ Hanafi View:
- The Prophet (ﷺ) did it sometimes, but not consistently.
- The Hanafi madhhab follows what was most frequent.
🕌 Practical Implications for Hanafis
11. What Hanafis Do Instead
- Raise hands only at Takbiratul Ihram.
- Keep hands folded (Qabd) throughout standing positions.
12. Respect for Other Madhhabs
Hanafis do not criticize those who raise hands, as it’s valid in other schools.
📚 Additional Hadith References
13. Hadith of Jabir ibn Samura (RA)
“The Prophet (ﷺ) would raise his hands in the first Takbir, then not again.”
*(Musnad Ahmad 5/97, Sahih chain)*
14. Hadith of Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (RA)
“The Prophet’s Salah was calm and measured; he did not raise his hands except at the start.”
*(Sunan al-Bayhaqi 2/72)*
15. Hadith of Anas ibn Malik (RA)
“The Companions would pray behind the Prophet (ﷺ), and none of them raised hands except at the beginning.”
*(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 1/345)*
🎓 Scholarly Quotes
16. Imam Sarakhsi (Hanafi Scholar)
“The default in Salah is stillness unless proven otherwise by decisive evidence.”
17. Imam Ibn Abidin (Hanafi Faqih)
“Raising hands after the first Takbir is not proven with certainty in our school.”
📌 Conclusion
The Hanafi position is based on:
✅ Explicit Hadiths (Ali, Ibn Mas’ud, Alqama)
✅ Scholarly Consensus (Kufan tradition)
✅ Principle of Continuity
💬 Do you follow the Hanafi madhhab? Share your thoughts below!
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