“In The name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful”

In this small treatise, a humble attempt is made to put forward some authentic

(saheeh) ahaadeeth that prove the noble practice of rafa yadain of Rasoolullah

(Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) and Sahaabah (Radi Allaahu „Anhuma).

Importance of offering salaah correctly

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) said “Pray as you have seen me

praying” [Saheeh Bukhari Book 9 Vol. 91 hadeeth 352]

Hazrat Huzaifa (Radi Allaahu „Anhu) saw a person who was not performing rukoo

(bowing) and sujood (prostration) properly. He said to him, "You have not prayed

and if you die you would die on a religion other than that of Muhammad (Sallallaahu

„Alaihi Wasallam)."[Saheeh Bukhari Book 1 Vol. 12 hadeeth 757]

Similar report is mentioned in Sunan Nasaai with some additions. He (Hazrat Huzaifa)

asked, 'How long have you been praying Salaah like this?' The man replied, '40

years'. He said, 'Then you haven't even prayed for the past 40 years, if you die in this

state you will not die following the religion of Muhammad '. (Sunan Nasaai Vol. 2, P

58)

Rafa Yadain (Raising both hands up to the shoulders or ears before and after rukoo,

and after two rak'ahs in Salaah) is an integral part of salaah. But unfortunately some

people due to their narrow mindedness try to prove that either rafa yadain never

existed or earlier existed but later abandoned and abrogated by our beloved Nabi

(Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam). In this small compilation, readers will see that this noble

practice was not only practised by Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) till his

demise but was also practised by Sahaabah after his (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam)

death.

In this compilation we will cover.............

1. What scholars say about Rafa yadain

2. Rafa Yadain is the beauty of Salaah (prayer)

3. Practice of Famous Companions of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu „Alaihi

Wasallam)

4. Names of other Sahaabah who reported this noble practice

5. Rewards of Rafa Yadain

Imam Shafa’ee says “Anyone who hears the hadeeth of rafa yadain in the

beginning of salaah (prayer), befor rukoo and after rukoo, it‟s not permissible

(halaal) for him to not practise it and abandon this Sunnah.”[Tabaqaate

Shafa’ee Al Kubra 1/242]

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hambal says “Those who don‟t do rafa yadain, their salaah is

defective.” [Al Manhajul Ahmad 1/159]

Imam Hakim says “We don‟t know of any Sunnah except rafa yadain, which is

agreed upon by all 4 righteous caliphs, „Ashra mubashshira (10 great Sahaabah

who were promised paradise) and many major Sahaabah even if they

migrated to different countries” [Fath Ul Bari 2/220 ]

Imam Bukhari says “According to the people of knowledge, it is not proven from

any of the companions of the Prophet (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) that they left

Rafa Yadain (Raising hands before and after rukoo in prayer)”. [Juzz Raful

Yadain of Imam Bukhari P 1]

Imam Auzaa’ee says “His prayer is defective (on being asked about the one

who reduces the number of rafa yadain in prayer).” [Al Tabaree with reference

of Al Tamheed 9/226]

Imam Baihaqi says “Rafa yadain is proven by Apostle (Sallallaahu „Alaihi

Wasallam), 4 righteous caliphs, many other Sahaabah and Taaba‟yeen (those

who saw Sahaabah).” [Sunan Baihaqi 1/81]

Imam Ibn Qayyim says “Anyone who does not do rafa yadain while going to

rukoo and raising head from rukoo is a forsaker of Sunnah of Rasoolullah

(Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam). “[E’lamul Muwaqqe’een 1/335]

Imam Shafa’ee says “Ahaadeeth of Rafa yadain have been narrated from so

many Sahaabah that probably no other hadeeth has been reported by such

number of Sahaabah.” [Nailul Autaar 2/3/9]

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What Scholars say about Rafa Yadain

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Allama Ibn Jauzi says “The reports that are presented in support of abrogation

of rafa yadain are either fabricated or weak” [Tazkiratul Mauzoo’aat 2/98 ]

Shah Wali Ullah Dehalwi says “Someone who does rafa yadain is more beloved

to me than the one who doesn‟t do it because the Ahaadeeth of rafa yadain

are aplenty and saheeh.” [Hujjatullahil Baalighah 2/10]

“Rasoolullah has done rafa yadain before and after rukoo. Those who say that

doing rafa yadain corrupts (fasaad) salaah, their claim are unacceptable.

[Fataawa Shaami Vol. 1 P 459]”

Renowned Hanafi scholar Anwar Shah Kashmiri said “On the basis of both,

sanad (chain of narrations) and practice, ahaadeeth of rafa yadain are

mutawaatir (reported by large number of narrators). There is no scope of doubt

in it. Not even a single word is abrogated (mansookh).” [Nailul Farqadain page

220]

Another great scholar Abdul Haiy Lucknowi says “The evidences of rafa yadain

from Prophet (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) are numerous and extremely good.

Those who say that rafa yadain has been abrogated (mansookh), have no

basis for their claim. They don‟t have satisfactory proofs.” [Ta’aliqul Mumjad

page 190]

Allama Sindhi Hanafi says “Those who say rafa yadain has been abrogated

(mansookh) are wrong.” [Hashiya of Sunan Nasaai 1/140]

Abdullah Ibn Umar (Radi Allaahu „Anhu) states “Rafa yadain is the beauty of

salaah” [Umdatul Qari Vol 5 P 272; Nailul Autaar P 68; Zarqani P 142]

Imam Ibn Sireen says “Doing Rafa yadain completes salaah” [Juzz Raful Yadain

of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 41; Talkhees al Habeer P 28]

Sa‟eed bin Jubair (rahimahullah, a famous Taaba‟yee) was asked about rafa

yadain in salaah”. He said: “This is the thing which beautifies your prayer.”

[Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 39; Sunan Baihaqi 2/75]

Al-Nu‟man bin Abi Ayyaash, said “Everything has an adornment, and the

adornment of salaah is that whenever you say Takbeer, raise both your

hands, and when you bow for rukoo, and when you rise up from rukoo (do

the same).” [Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 59]

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Rafa Yadain is the beauty of Salaah

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Before jumping to the names of Sahaabah who reported and practised rafa yadain,

let us have a look at one hadeeth that is frequently used to prove that some major

Sahaabah did not do rafa yadain.

Sayyidana „Abdullah Ibn Mas‟ood says, “I prayed behind the Prophet (Sallallaahu

„Alaihi Wasallam), Abu Bakr, and „Umar and they did not raise their hands except in

the beginning salaah.” [Abu Ya’laa 8/453; Darqutni 1/295 and Baihaqi 2/180]

Reply: This hadeeth has been classified as weak (da‟eef) by Imam Darqutni (Sunan

Darqutni 1/295) and Imam Baihaqi (Sunan Baihaqi 2/180). One of the narrators,

Muhammad bin Jabir is weak. His full name is Muhammad bin Jabir Bin Siyyaar bin

Tariq al Hanafi al Yamami Abu „Abdullah (see Taqreeb at Tahzeeb)

This weak narrator Muhammad bin Jabir bin Siyyaar al Yamaami said "Abu Hanifa

stole Hammaad's books from me."[Al Jarh Wa Ta’deel 8/450 no 2062]

Therefore, this hadeeth cannot be accepted as proof. Imam Hakim rightly said

“Sunnah of rafa yadain has been reported from Abu Bakr, „Umar, Uthman and „Ali”

[Ta’aliqul Mughni Page 111]

From Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

„Abdullah bin Zubair said “I prayed behind Abu Bakr and he was doing rafa yadain

in start of salaah, before rukoo and after rukoo, and Abu Bakr said “I prayed behind

Muhammad Rasool Allah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam), he was doing rafa yadain in

start of prayer, before rukoo and after rukoo.‟”

[Sunan Baihaqi 2/73 , Imam Baihaqi said Narrators are trustworthy, Imam Dahabee said

narrators are trustworthy (Al Madhab Ikhtisaar Sunan al Kabeer 2/49 hadeeth 1943) and Ibn

Hajar said narrators are trustworthy (Talkh ees al Habeer 1/219) ]

Now, in coming few pages we will see the noble practice of

Rafa Yadain of some of the Companions (Sahaabah) of Prophet

(Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam)

From ‘Umar Ibn Khattaab (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

„Abdullah bin Qasim (freed slave of Abu Bakr) said “People were praying at the

Masjid-e-Nabawi (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam), „Umar Ibn Khattab (Radi Allaahu

„Anhu) came and said, „O people! Turn your faces towards me, let me show you the

prayer of Prophet (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam), the prayer he (Sallallaahu „Alaihi

Wasallam) practised and ordered. Then he („Umar) faced Ka‟bah and raised his

hands up to his shoulders and uttered takbeer, then he raised his hands up to his

shoulders and uttered takbeer and did rukoo and he did same when he raised his

head from rukoo. After prayer he said „O people this is the prayer of Prophet

(Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam)”

[Sunan Baihaqi 2/23; Nasb ur-Raayah of Az-Zailee Hanafi (1/416); Nafkhush-Shuzee

Commentary of sunan at Tirmidhi of Ibn Sayyid An Naas (1 /217-218) who said all the narrators

in this chain are reliable and acceptable, Musnad al Farooq of Ibn Katheer vol 1 page 165]

From ‘Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

It was narrated from „Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (Radi Allaahu „Anhu) that when the Messenger

of Allaah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) stood up to offer an obligatory prayer, he

would say takbeer and raise his hands up to his shoulders and he would do that

when he had finished his recitation and wanted to bow, and he would do it when

he rose from bowing, but he did not raise his hands at any point during his prayer

when he was sitting, but when he stood up after Sajdatain (two prostrations/two

Rakah) he would raise his hands likewise and say takbeer.

[Ibn Maajah hadeeth 864, chapter on raising hands in rukoo and after rukoo; Abu Dawood

739; Musnad Ahmad 3/165; Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth1; Sunan Darqutni P

107; Sunan Baih aqi 2/74; Tirmidhi P 36; Juzz Rafa yadain of Allama Subki P 7; Saheeh Ibn

Khuzaima hadeeth 584, Ibn Khuzaima says it is saheeh ]

From ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

Narrated Salim bin „Abdullah: My father said, "Allah's Apostle (Sallallaahu „Alaihi

Wasallam) used to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when opening

the prayer; and on saying the Takbeer for bowing. And on raising his head from

bowing he used to do the same and then say "Sami al-lahu Liman hamida,

Rabbana wa lakal hamd." And he did not do that (i.e. raising his hands) in

prostrations.”

[Saheeh Bukh ari Book 1 Vol 12 hadeeth 702; S aheeh Muslim Book 4 hadeeth 758,759; Jaame’

Tirmidhi 1/59; Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 2; Sah eeh Ibn Khuzaima 1/232;

Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan 3/168; Musnad Abu Awana 2/90 ]

Imam „Ali bin „Abdullah Al Madini (teacher of Imam Bukhari) says:

“On the basis of this hadeeth, it‟s obligatory for every Muslim to practise rafa yadain”

[Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 2]

Imam Tirmidhi said after quoting this hadeeth:

“The Ahaadeeth pertaining to this topic are related from '‘Umar, 'Ali, Wail bin Hujr,

Maalik bin Huwairith, Anas, Abu Huraira, Abu Hamid, Abu Usaid, Sahl bin Sa'ad,

Muhammad bin Muslimah, Abu Qataadah, Abu Musa al-Ash’aree, Jabir and 'Umair

al-Laithi.”

„Abdullah bin „Umar used to throw pebbles

Nafi‟ said “„Abdullah Ibn „Umar (Radi Allaahu „Anhu) used to throw small stones at

those who would not practise rafa yadain while going to rukoo and after rukoo.”

[Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 15; Imam Nawawi authenticated its chain in

Majmoo Sharah Madhab 3/405]

From ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

Abu Hamza said, “I saw Ibn „Abbas (Radi Allaahu „Anhu), he raised his hands in the

beginning of the prayer, in Rukoo, and when he raised his head from rukoo.”

[Sunan Ibn Maajah P62; Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 21; Musannaf Abdul

Razzaaq 2/69 hadeeth 2523; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah 1/234 hadeeth 243]

From Abu Hurairah (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

Narrated Abu Huraira: “When the Apostle of Allah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam)

uttered the takbeer (Allah is greatest) for prayer (in the beginning), he raised his

hands opposite to his shoulders; and when he (intended to) bow, he did like that;

and when he raised his head (from rukoo and intended) to prostrate, he did like

that; and when he got up at the end of two rak'ahs, he did like that.”

[Musnad Ahmad 1/93; Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 19,22; S aheeh Ibn

Khuzaimah hadeeth 693; Ibn Khuzaima says it is saheeh; Hafiz Ibn Hajar said narrators are

trustworthy Talkhees al Habeer 1/ 396]

„Ata bin Abi Ribah said “I prayed with Abu Huraira he raised his hand and uttered

takbeer, and he raised hands when (he intended) to do rukoo”.

[Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 22 ]

From Anas Ibn Maalik (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

Asim Al-Ahool said “I saw Anas bin Maalik, he raised his hands in the beginning of

prayer and uttered takbeer, he raised his hands (when he intended to do) rukoo,

and when he raised his head from rukoo.”

[Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 20 and 56; Musnad Abu Ya’laa: 6/424,425; Ibn

Maajah hadeeth 866; Sunan Darqutni 1/290; Musannaf ibn Abi Shaibah 1/235 ]

From Abu Moosa Al-Ash’aree (Radi Allaahu

‘Anhu)

Abu Moosa Ash`aree said “Let me show you the prayer of Prophet (Sallallaahu „Alaihi

Wasallam), then he said takbeer and raised his hands, then he uttered takbeer for

rukoo and raised his hands, then he said "Sami Allaahu Liman Hamidah" and again

he raised his hands, Thus do like this and do not raise hands in prostrations.”

[Sunan Darqutni 1/292; Hafiz Ibn Hajar says narrators are trustworthy Talkhees al Habeer

1/219 ]

There is another mauqoof narration (own practice) of Abu Moosa Ash‟aree where

he raised his hands in rukoo and after rukoo [Masail e Imam Ahmad Ibn Hambal with

the narration of Saleh bin Ahmad bin Hambal P 174, Al Awsat Ibn Muzar Nesaboori

3/138]

From Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

Abu al-Zubair said “Jabir bin „Abdullah raised his hands in the beginning of the

prayer, he did same while doing Rukoo and after Rukoo and said „I saw Prophet of

Allah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) doing the same‟, Ibrahim bin Tahman (the narrator)

raised his hands up to his ears.”

[Sunan Ibn Maajah hadeeth 868; Musnad al-Siraaj hadeeth 92; Imam Baihaqi narrated in

Sunan Al Kubra 2/73 and said this hadeeth is authentic]

From Umme Darda (Radi Allaahu ‘Anha)

Abdarba bin Suleiman bin Umair (Shami) said “I saw Umme Darda, she raised her

hands in prayer up to shoulders in start of the prayer, and when she (intended) to do

rukoo and when (Imam) said „Sami Allaahu Liman Hamidah‟ she raised her hands

and said „Rabbana Lakal Hamd‟”.

[Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 25; Abdarba is trustworthy according to Ibn

Hibbaan (Kitab at Thiqqaat 7/153) and Marwan bin Muhammad ad-Damishqee (Tareekh

Damishq of Abu Zura ad-Damishqee 650) ]

Imam Bukhari after quoting above narration said:

“The wives of some companions of Prophet (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) were more

knowledgeable than these people because they were practising rafa yadain in

Prayer”.

[Juzz Raful yadain hadeeth 25]

From Maalik Ibn Huwairith (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

Abu Qilaba narrated “I saw Maalik bin Huwairith saying takbeer and raising both his

hands on starting the prayers and raising his hands on bowing and also on raising his

head after bowing. Maalik bin Huwairith said, "Allah's Apostle (Sallallaahu „Alaihi

Wasallam) did the same."

[Saheeh Bukhari Book 1 Volume 12 hadeeth 704; Sah eeh Muslim Book 4 hadeeth 761; Saheeh

Ibn Khuzaima 1/295; Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan 3/175 ]

From Waail bin Hujr (Radi Allaahu ‘Anhu)

Waail bin Hujr reported “He saw the Apostle of Allah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam)

raising his hands at the time of beginning the prayer and reciting takbeer, and

according to Hammam (the narrator), the hands were lifted opposite to ears. He

(the Holy Prophet) then wrapped his hands in his cloth and placed his right hand

over his left hand. And when he was about to bow down, he brought out his hands

from the cloth, and then lifted them, and then recited takbeer and bowed down,

and when (he came back to the erect position) he recited "Sami‟a Allaahu Liman

Hamidah". And when prostrated, he prostrated between the two palms”.

[Saheeh Muslim Book 4 hadeeth 792; Musnad Hameed 2/342 ]

Maalik bin Huwairith and Wail bin Hujr (Radi Allaahu „Anhuma) embraced Islam in 9

Hijri [Umdatul Qaari 5/ 274; Fathul Baari 2/110] and both of them have reported

Rasoolullah‟s (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) practice of Rafa Yadain. In fact Wail bin

Hujr came again in the winter of 10 Hijri when Prophet (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam)

was preparing for Hajj and noticed same practice of Rafa Yadain [Abu Dawood 272;

Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan 3/168]. Therefore, those who claim that Rafa yadain has been

abrogated, have to bring forward even a single hadeeth after this report.

From Abu Humaid Al-Saa’di and 10 Companions

of Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam)

It was narrated from Muhammad Ibn „Amr Ibn „Ata that Abu Humaid al-Saa‟di

described the salaah of Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam) in front of 10

Sahaabah. He said “When the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam)

stood up to pray; he stood up straight and raised his hands until they were in line

with his shoulders. When he wanted to bow in rukoo‟, he raised his hands until they

were in line with his shoulders, then he said „Allaahu akbar‟ and bowed, and he

made his backbone straight, neither raising his head nor lowering it, and he put his

hands on his knees. Then he said “Sami‟a Allaahu Liman hamidah (Allaah hears

those who praise Him),” and raised his hands and stood up straight until every bone

went back to its place.......... They (i.e. 10 Sahaabah) said „you are truthful; I t was the

Prayer of Prophet (Sallallaahu „Alaihi Wasallam).”

[Abu Dawood 730; Tirmidhi 304, Imam Tirmidhi said it is Hasan saheeh; Ibn- Hibbaan 5

/182]

Apart from above mentioned Sahaabah, there are many other Sahaabah

who reported the same practice of Rafa yadain, viz.

Abdullah Ibn Jabir Al Bayaazi [ Sunan Baihaqi 2/75]

Abdullah Ibn Zubair [ Sunan Baihaqi 2/74]

Abu Sa'eed Khudri [Juzz Raful Yadain P 49]

Sahl Ibn Saad [Sunan Ibn Maajah 1/62; Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth ;

Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan 1868; Tirmidhi 260]

Abu Aseed [Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari hadeeth 5; Sunan Baihaqi 2/101 ; Sunan

Ibn Hibbaan 494, Tirmidhi 260]

Muhammad Ibn Muslimah [Sunan Ibn Maajah 1/ 62; Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari

hadeeth ; Sunan Ibn Hibbaan 49; Tirmidhi 260]

Abdullah Ibn „Umar Ibn „Aas [Sunan Baihaqi 2/74]

Salmaan Farsi [Juzz Rafa yadain of Allama Subki P 12; Neez Tasheelul Qaari 3/774]

Bara Ibn Aazib [Talkhees Ul Habeer P 82; Juzz Rafa y adain of Allama Subki P 9,10]

This hadeeth and the practice of Hazrat „Umar (Radi Allaahu „Anhu) further bolster the

fact that Rafa yadain was not abrogated at all. The important point here is that these

incidents took place after the death of our beloved Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu „Alaihi

Wasallam) and these Sahaabah affirmed Hazrat Abu Humaid and „Umar‟s description

of prayer.

„Ubaid Ibn „Umair [Juzz Raful Yadain of Imam Bukhari P 3]

Qataadah [Tirmidhi P36]

Suleiman Ibn Yasaar [Muwatta Imam Maalik 1/98; Juzz Rafa yadain of Allama Subki P 8]

„Umar Laithi [Sunan Ibn Maajah P 62; Juzz Rafa yadain of Allama Subki P 7]

„Uqbah Ibn 'Aamir (Radi Allaahu „Anhu) says “Those who do rafa yadain in

salaah get one reward or one step(in paradise) for indication of each finger”

[Al Fawaidul Baheer 2/39; Mu’jamul Kabir of Tabraani 8/298; Mu’jamul Zawaaid 2/103;

Silsila As Saheeh a no 3276]

„Uqbah Ibn 'Aamir (Radi Allaahu „Anhu) reports from Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu

„Alaihi Wasallam) “A person gets 10 rewards for doing each indication of hands

(i.e. rafa yadain), one reward for one finger.” [Tabraani Kabeer 18/298; Silsila As

Saheeh a no 3276]

Haafidh „Abdul Barr (rahimahullah) said: „Abdullah Ibn „Umar (Radi Allaahu

„Anhu) narrates “On every rafa yadain 10 rewards are awarded, one for each

finger.” [Umdatul Qari Vol 5 P 272]

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hambal (rahimahullah) says “Rafa yadain increases rewards”

[Kitaabus Salaah P 56]

We get 10 rewards for doing rafa yadain once, so in a 4 rak‟ah salaah we

earn 100 rewards by doing rafa yadain only. And in a day we earn 430

rewards by offering only Fard (obligatory) salaah. If we add Sunnah raatibah

(sunnat-e-muakkedah) then we get 600 more rewards. Therefore, by offering

only Fard and Sunnah raatibah we can earn 1030 rewards every day.

Masha Allah!

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Rewards of Rafa Yadain

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

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