"When the Prophet (ﷺ) started to pray he said the takbir and raised his hands, and when he bowed, and after bowing, but he did not raise them between the two prostrations."
Hadith Text & Reference
"When the Prophet (ﷺ) started to pray he said the takbir and raised his hands, and when he bowed, and after bowing, but he did not raise them between the two prostrations."
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1144 | The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Commentary on the Takbir & Hand-Raising
This hadith establishes the four specific positions in prayer where raising the hands with takbir is legislated: at the opening takbir (ihram), when bowing (ruku'), upon rising from bowing (i'tidal), and when standing after the first tashahhud. The Prophet's consistent practice in these instances indicates this is an emphasized sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah).
The hands should be raised to the level of the shoulders or ears, with fingers extended and palms facing the qiblah. This physical act symbolizes leaving worldly matters behind and fully submitting to Allah's majesty at these key transitions in prayer.
Significance of Not Raising Hands Between Prostrations
The explicit exclusion of hand-raising between the two prostrations (between sajdahs) is of great legal importance. It prevents innovation (bid'ah) and preserves the precise form of prayer as taught by the Prophet.
This distinction shows that every movement in prayer has its proper place and measure. The absence of hand-raising during this transition emphasizes humility and continuous connection with the ground during the prostration sequence, maintaining the flow of submission without unnecessary interruptions.
Legal Ruling & Scholarly Consensus
The majority of scholars, including the Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools, consider raising hands at these four points to be a confirmed sunnah. Some early scholars differed on raising hands after bowing, but the preponderant evidence supports its practice.
Omitting this sunnah does not invalidate the prayer, but the worshipper misses the reward of following the Prophet's complete example. Consistently neglecting it without excuse is reprehensible.