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Sahih Bukhari Hadiths, there is no mention of the Prophet raising his hands right after prayers.

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As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

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I`ve been told that concerning the procedure of salaat in relation to Sahih Bukhari Hadiths, there is no mention of the Prophet raising his hands right after prayers. There is only mention of him raising his hands (backside up) whilst praying for rain once.

This is a common practice especially in Pakistan as if its part of the prayer (obligatory). Wouldn`t this be biddah as we`ve taken this practice as part a procedure that is farz?

The whole salaat is a prayer itself. It is seated in the back of our minds that it is only after salaat that we can ask for assitance in our personal problems even though Allah says that I`m nearer to you than your jugular vein.

I understand the concept of begging Him with effort but to make something a ritual, isnt this wrong? We can beg Him any time during the day, does it have to be right after we send rehmat to the angels on our shoulders?

Kindly clear up my misconception. JazakAllah.

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Answer:

Raising hands in dua supplication

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Statement: I`ve been told that concerning the procedure of salaat in relation to Sahih Bukhari Hadiths, there is no mention of the Prophet raising his hands right after prayers. There is only mention of him raising his hands (backside up) whilst praying for rain once.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.612 Narrated by Abu Musa

..... Then Prophet (saws) asked for water, performed ablution and then raised hands, saying, "O Allah! Forgive 'Ubaid, Abu Amir." At that time I saw the whiteness of the Prophet's armpits.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.807 Narrated by Salim

Ibn 'Umar used to do Rami of the Jamrat-ud-Dunya (the Jamra near to the Khaif mosque) with seven small stones and used to recite Takbir on throwing every pebble. He then would go ahead till he reached the level ground where he would stand facing the Qibla for a long time to invoke (Allah) while raising his hands (during the invocations). Then he would do Rami of the Jamrat-ul-Wusta (middle Jamra) and then he would go to the left towards the middle ground, where he would stand facing the Qibla. He would remain standing there for a long period to invoke (Allah) while raising his hands, and would stand there for a long period. Then he would do Rami of the Jamrat-ul-Aqaba from the middle of the valley, but he would not stay by it, and then he would leave and say, "I saw the Prophet (saws) doing like this."

The raising of one's hands when making supplications (individually) to the Lord Most Gracious is amongst the etiquettes of making supplications as taught by the Messenger of Allah (saws); and there is enough and ample evidence in the authentic and established Sunnah to support the act. When the Messenger of Allah (saws) sought to make his individual supplications to his Lord Most Gracious, at times he (saws) would raise his hands above his shoulders, with the palms of his hands facing inwards....and there is also evidence to the fact that at times, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would make his supplications without raising his hands.

There is also evidence in the authentic and established Sunnah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would raise his hands during his 'qunut' supplications during the prayer, and also during his supplications during the prayers of 'Istisqa' or rain.

But to the best of our knowledge, there is absolutely no evidence in the established and authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) whereby it is stated that he (saws) would raise his hands and make dua or supplication in congregation after the prayers.

Your Question: This is a common practice especially in Pakistan as if its part of the prayer (obligatory). Wouldn`t this be biddah as we`ve taken this practice as part a procedure that is farz?

If one believes that it is obligatory or even preferred to raise hands and make supplications in congregation after prayers, then indeed this act would constitute a 'bida' or innovation in the pure and perfect deen of Islam.

But if an individual, in his individual capacity wishes to make supplications after his prayers, and chooses to raise his hands while making his individual supplications, there is absolutely no harm; as evidence for the raising of one's hands while making individual supplications is available in the Sunnah.

Salman reported that the Prophet (saws), said, "Your Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted One, is Modest and Generous, and He loathes to turn away His servant empty-handed when he raises his hands to Him in supplication."

Narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Hibban.

Your Question: The whole salaat is a prayer itself. It is seated in the back of our minds that it is only after salaat that we can ask for assitance in our personal problems even though Allah says that I`m nearer to you than your jugular vein. I understand the concept of begging Him with effort but to make something a ritual, isnt this wrong? We can beg Him any time during the day, does it have to be right after we send rehmat to the angels on our shoulders?

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 186:

And if My servants ask you, O Prophet, concerning Me, tell them that I am quite near to them. I hear and answer the prayer of the suppliant, when he calls on Me. So let them respond to My call and believe in Me. (Convey this to them), perhaps they may be guided aright!

Nu'man b. Bashir reported that the Prophet (saws), said, "Verily supplication is worship."

Narrated by Ahmad and Sunan.

Abu Hurairah reported, "The Prophet (saws) said, "Nothing is more dear to Allah than one's supplication to Him.''

Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, without an iota of a doubt, the 'salaat' is the prescribed rite of worship whereby the believers are commanded and guided to extol, praise, invoke and supplicate their Lord Most Gracious, Most Merciful; and except for when one is in the rite of 'ruku' (bowing) during one's prayer, one may supplicate their Lord Most Gracious to their heart's desire, and the absolute best place to make supplications is when one is in the state of prostration during prayer.

The Prophet (saws) said, 'The closest one of you comes to his Lord is while he is prostrating, (therefore) make many supplications therein.' And he (saws) also said, 'I have prohibited you from reciting (Quran) while bowing or prostrating. During the bowing, Glorify the Lord. During the prostrations, strive your hardest in making supplications. Most likely, you will be listened to."

Related by Ahmad and Muslim.

Dear and beloved brother, one may call upon their Lord Most Merciful and make as many supplications as often as one wills and wishes, 24 hours a day/7 days a week; for our Lord Most Gracious is ever-ready to listen and respond to each and every lawful supplication made in earnest by his believing and repentant slaves.

If one wills to make additional supplications after one's prayers in one's individual capacity, there is absolutely no harm in doing so; but you are absolutely accurate in your deduction that to introduce a ritual whereby the whole congregation makes supplications together after prayers, when such a ritual is not endorsed by the Messenger of Allah (saws) would be inappropriate, and the believers who sincerely fear Allah and the Last Day must abstain from taking any part in any innovation.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan


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