Q 6: It is reported in the Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) of Al-Nasa'y on the authority of Malik ibn Al-Huwayrith that He saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) raising his hands up to his ears at the beginning of Salah, when bowing down, when lifting his head from the state of bowing, when prostrating, and when lifting his head from the state of prostration. What can be understood from Malik's statement: "When prostrating''? Does this mean that the Prophet used to raise his hands upon prostrating and after having his right hand placed on his left? What is the degree of authenticity of this Hadith? Should we act upon it? How can we combine between the Hadiths in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have raised his hands between the two Sajdahs (prostrations) and other Hadiths in which he is reported to have forbidden doing this?

A: Some scholars have adopted the juristic precept of Tarjih (preponderance) in this respect. Preference is given to the Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) which states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not use to raise his hands upon entering into the prostrating position or upon rising from prostration. Scholars have classified the Hadith which supports raising hands upon either of these two positions as a Hadith Shadh (a Hadith narrated by a trustworthy narrator, which is not in line with the narration of other trustworthy narrators in terms of wording, chain of narrators, or both). The reason is that this Hadith is contrary to the Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim which is of a more authentic degree. Other scholars have adopted the method of combining the apparent conflict between the Hadiths. According to them, all conflicting reports narrated in this regard are reconcilable. They further say that it is against the juristic norms to adopt the juristic percept of Tarjih in this case as it necessitates rejection of authentic narrations. These conflicting reports can be reconciled in that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would sometimes raise his hands upon prostrating and would not do it at other times. The view that does not support the raising of hands is preferable. (Part No. 6; Page No. 346) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.