Rafʿ al-Yadayn

Rafʿ al-Yadayn (Arabic: رَفْعُ الْيَدَيْن; lit. 'raising of the hands') is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad of raising the hands during the Rukū of Salah (Islamic prayer). This practice is widely found in the Hadiths and followed differently among Islamic schools of thought.

Etymology

The term Raf' al-Yadayn literally means 'raising of the hands' in Arabic. It is derived from the root word رَفَعَ (rafa'a), meaning 'to raise', and يَدَيْن (yadayn), meaning 'hands'.

Jurisprudential views

Islamic jurisprudence, or fiqh, includes different interpretations of Raf' al-Yadayn based on Hadith evidence and scholarly opinions. The practice varies across the four major Sunni schools of thought:

Hanafi school

The Hanafis generally limit Raf' al-Yadayn to the Takbeer al-Tahreema (opening Takbeer) and do not perform it during other transitions in Salah. This view is based on their understanding of Hadiths narrated by companions like Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, where it is said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) abandoned the practice of raising hands except at the beginning of the prayer (e.g., Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 748).

Shafi'i school

The Shafi'is uphold the practice of Raf' al-Yadayn is considered Sunnah, including:

 • The opening Takbeer

 • Before bowing (Ruku')

 • After rising from Ruku'

Maliki school

The Malikis generally don't follow Raf' al-Yadayn they limit it to the opening Takbeer al-Tahreemah. They consider the additional instances non-obligatory and not emphasized in practice.

Hanbali school

The Hanbalis, like the Shafi'is, emphasize performing Raf' al-Yadayn at all prescribed points. They rely on Hadiths such as the one narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 739)

Practice in Salah

Muhammad is reported to have performed Raf' al-Yadayn at various stages of Salah, including:

 • Before Takbeer al-Tahreema (opening Takbeer):

"He raised his hands up to the level of his shoulders and said Allahu Akbar."

— Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 735

 • Before and after Ruku' (bowing):

"He raised his hands when going into Ruku' and when rising from it."

— Sahih Muslim, Hadith 390

 • When standing up after the second Rak'ah in Salah:

Whenever Ibn `Umar started the prayer with Takbir, he used to raise his hands: whenever he bowed, he used to raise his hands (before bowing) and also used to raise his hands on saying, "Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah", and he used to do the same on rising from the second rak`a (for the 3rd rak`a). Ibn `Umar said: "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to do the same."

— Sahih al-Bukhari 739