One of the controversial differences of opinion among the

Muslims concerning the Salt is the issue of Raf-ul-

Yadain or raising the hands. There are several views on
the matter, the main ones being catalogued here:

1. Hanafi view: Hands are raised once only during the first
Takbr which commences the Salat. This is also the Mliki
view.

2. Shfii view: Hands are raised during first Takbr, when

bowing, after raising head from bowing, and when
standing up after the first Tashahhud.

3. Hanbali view: Hands are raised during first Takbr,

when bowing and after raising head from bowing.

4. Ibdi view: Hands are not raised at all, not even during
the first Takbr!

Some Muslims, especially the Shites and some of the so-

called Ahlul Hadth raise their hands between the two
prostrations, or with every Takbr, or even every
movement from one position to the next in the Salt.
With the exception of the Ibdi sects position, all other
practices mentioned here are legitimate and have their
evidence from the Sunnah of the Prophet

However, it appears that the Hanafi position is the

strongest. Firstly, there is the Hadith of Sayyidina
Abdullah b. Masud (may Allah be pleased with him):

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It was reported from Alqamah who said: Abdullah ibn
Masud said: Should I not pray for you the way the
Messenger of Allah ( )prayed? So he prayed, raising his
hands only once. (Sunan Abi Dawud)

The celebrated Muhaddith, Imam Albni (rahimahullah)

authenticated this narration:

Reference: Sahih Sunan Abi Dawud; v.1, p.216 (#748)

The rationale behind not doing Raf-ul-Yadain in the rest

of the Salt is that it is contrary to the Saknah (tranquility)
that is required in Salt. This means the one who is praying
Salt should be as still and tranquil as possible; refrain
from excessive and unnecessary movements. The proof
that excessively raising ones hands in Salt is contrary to
this tranquility is based on the following Hadth:

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Jabir b. Samura reported: The Messenger of Allah ()
came to us and said: How is it that I see you lifting your
hands like the tails of headstrong horses? Be calm in
prayer. (Sahih Muslim)

It is often argued that this Hadth from Jbir b. Samurah

(Allah be pleased with him) is concerning the waving of
hands during the Taslm through which the worshiper
exits the Salt. The Prophet saw that some of his
companions while offering the Taslm would gesture with
their hands to those praying alongside them to the right
and the left; the Prophet then forbade them to do this
saying why do you point out with your hands as if they
are the tails of headstrong horses?

Because the narrations to this effect are also narrated by

Sayyidina Jbir b. Samurah, it is assumed that the above
cited narration is in that context and is not concerning the
Rafa Yadain that is performed before going into Ruku
and raising the head from Ruku, etc.

However, a deeper analysis makes apparent that these are

two separate incidents. Firstly, this narration of Jbir b.
Samurah is via Tamm b. Tarafah; while the narrations of
Jbir b. Samurah concerning the Taslm are via
Ubaidullh ibnul-Qibtiyyah.

Secondly, the narration via Tamm b. Tarafah has the

additional wording be tranquil in the Salt, indicating
that it is concerning the Rafa Yadain that is offered inside
the Salt, and not the Taslm through which a person exits
the Salt.