Raf' al-Yadayn (Raising the Hands)
The practice of raising the hands to the shoulders or ears at specific points in the prayer.
Raf' al-Yadayn refers to the practice of raising the hands to the shoulders or ears at specific points in the prayer, particularly at the opening takbir, before ruku, after ruku, and after rising from the second rak'ah. This is one of the most discussed topics in Sunni prayer jurisprudence.
The Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools practice raf' al-yadayn at all four points, based on hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where Abdullah ibn Umar describes that the Prophet (peace be upon him) raised his hands at the takbir, before ruku, and after ruku. The Hanafi school practices raf' al-yadayn only at the opening takbir.
Imam al-Bukhari wrote a separate work, "Juz' Raf' al-Yadayn," dedicated to this topic, in which he collected all relevant narrations. Hanafi scholars support their position with narrations from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud and other companions. Both positions are accepted in Sunni Islam, and neither invalidates the prayer.
Related terms
Ruku (Bowing)
Bowing from the waist during prayer as a sign of humility.
Du'a Tawassul (Supplication of Intercession)
A supplication where one asks Allah through the intercession of the Prophet and Ahl al-Bayt.
Tasbihat al-Zahra (Fatimah's Tasbih)
A special dhikr consisting of 34+33+33 repetitions, taught by the Prophet to his daughter Fatimah.
Imamat (Divine Leadership)
The doctrine of the twelve divinely appointed Imams who lead the community after the Prophet.
Karbala (Imam Husayn's City)
The sacred city in Iraq where Imam Husayn was martyred, and home of the turbah.
Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
The third daily prayer, performed in the afternoon.