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A Question on Raf’ al-Yadayn

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Shafiifiqh.com

Question:

As salamu alaykum, Can the Mufti please clarify the issue of the Raf ul yadain. Shukran.

Country: South Africa

Answer:

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

By raf’ al-yadyan, we understand that the question is on the topic of lifting one’s hands shoulder level while transitioning between the prayer’s different postures, for example while coming up from ruku’ or while going into ruku’. The ruling on this in the Shafi’i Madhhab is that it is sunnah. This is based on the hadith found in the Imam Bukhari’s Sahih v. 1, p. 188 on the authority of Nafi’ that Ibn ‘Umar would, “when he entered the prayer make takbir and raise his hands, and when he would make ruku’ he would raise his hands, and when he would say, ‘samia’ Allahu li-man hamidahu,’ he would raise his hands; and Ibn ‘Umar ascribed [رفعه] this practice to Allah’s Prophet (SallAllahu alayhie wa sallam).”

According to the Madhhab, raf’ al-yadayn is made for the first takbir, while going into ruku’, coming up from ruku’, and also after standing up after the first tashahhud. In Sharh al-Muhadhdhab v. 3, p. 320-28, Imam Nawawi has written in detail on the topic from the perspective of the evidence and has discussed many other details too. Noteworthy, is the amount of companions and authorities from amongst the salaf who maintained the view; based on the well-authenticated hadith evidence. There, Imam Nawawi very much relies on the works of his (our) two predecessors, Imams Bukhari and Bayhaqi. Those interested in a more elaborate discussion on the topic may refer to Sharh al-Muhadhdhab for additional reading.

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

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