When Should Hands be Raised During Solāh?

When Should Hands be Raised  During  Solāh?

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-'ālamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam, is His Messenger.

It is Sunnah to raise one’s hands in four places during the Solāh:

1- When pronouncing Takbir al-Ihram (the first Takbir),

2- When bowing in Ruku’,

3- When rising from Ruku’ and

4- When standing up after the first Tashahhud.

Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) narrated that when the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)   started his Solāh, he would say “Allahu akbar” and raise his hands, when he bowed in ruku’ he would raise his hands, when he (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said “Sami’a Allahu liman hamidah [Allah hears those who praise Him]” he would raise his hands, and when he stood up after two raka`at he would raise his hands. (Reported by Al-Bukhari, 2/222; Abu Dawud, 1/197).

The meaning of “when he stood up after two raka`at he would raise his hands” is, when he stood up after the first Tashahhud.

The hands may be raised to the level of the shoulders or the ears. See Al-`Aini fi’l-`Umdah, 5/7; Sharh Muslim by al-Nawawi, 4/95; Sifat Solah al-Nabi by al-Albani, 87.

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

[ Via Islam Q& A]