The Four Times Hands Are Raised During Prayer According to the Sunnah

Question: What are the times when it is recommended to raise the hands during prayer, whether these practices are forgotten or still known? Should I raise my hands while sitting?

Summary:

According to authentic hadith, the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands only in four positions during prayer: At the start of the prayer (Takbīrat al-Iḥrām) Before bowing (Rukūʿ) When rising from bowing (after Rukūʿ) When standing after the first Tashahhud (to the third rakʿah) He did not raise his hands at any other time not during prostration, sitting, or at the end of the prayer. The hands are raised to shoulder or ear level, palms facing the Qiblah. This practice is a confirmed Sunnah and should be limited to these four occasions only.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

Authentic narrations establish that the Prophet ﷺ used to raise his hands at four occasions during the prayer. These are the positions agreed upon by the majority of hadith scholars.

1. When beginning the prayer (Takbīrat al-Iḥrām)

    That is, when saying “Allāhu akbar” at the start of the prayer.

    From the Sunnah:

    • Al-Bukhārī (735)Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said:
      “The Prophet ﷺ used to raise his hands to the level of his shoulders when he began the prayer.”

      2. When going into bowing (Rukūʿ) That is, when the imam or the individual says “Allāhu akbar” and moves down to bow.

    • Al-Bukhārī (735)Ibn Umar
      “And when he said the takbīr for bowing, he raised his hands.”

      3. When rising from bowing (after Rukūʿ) That is, when saying “Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah.”

    From the Sunnah:

    • Al-Bukhārī (735)Ibn Umar
      “And when he raised his head from bowing, he raised his hands likewise and said: Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah.”

      4. When standing up from the first Tashahhud to the third rakʿah

    • Al-Bukhārī (739)Nāfiʿ reported:
      “When Ibn ʿUmar stood up after two rakʿahs, he said the takbīr and raised his hands.” Nāfiʿ said: “The Prophet ﷺ used to do the same.”

      It is not authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands in any position other than the four mentioned above. Therefore, the hands are not raised: When going into prostration (sujūd), When rising from prostration, When sitting between the two prostrations, During the Tashahhud, Nor at the time of salām.

    From the Scholars:

    • Imam al-Bukhārī said in his treatise on raising the hands:
      “It is not reported from any of the Prophet’s companions that they raised their hands at any other positions.”

      No, the hands are not raised while sitting in prayer (such as during Tashahhud or between prostrations). This is because there is no authentic narration showing that the Prophet ﷺ did so. The raising of the hands only occurs while standing or when moving from standing to bowing or from bowing to standing.

    Raising the hands is a confirmed Sunnah in these four positions only. It is not done elsewhere. The hands are raised to shoulder level or ear level, with the palms facing the Qiblah.

    From the Scholars:

    • Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Zād al-Maʿād (1/221):
      “It has not been preserved from the Prophet ﷺ that he raised his hands in any position other than these four. Whoever adds to them has opposed the Sunnah.”

    And Allah knows best.

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