Q 1: I lead people in Salah (Prayer). Sometimes, I raise my hands before and after making Ruku‘ (bowing). One day, a well-known knowledgeable Shaykh offered Salah behind me. After Salah, he went to my father and said to him: “Your son does not follow your Madh-hab (School of Jurisprudence).” I asked my father about his Madh-hab, he said that he is a follower of the Hanafy school that dos not advocate raising hands after making Ruku‘.Now, what is the ruling on my Salah? Am I obliged to follow this Madh-hab or any of the four well-known Madh-habs (Hanafy, Maliky, Shafi‘y, and Hanbaly)? A: Raising one’s hands upon pronouncing Takbirat-ul-Ihram (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]" upon starting Prayer), saying Allahu Akbar on performing Ruku‘, and on rising from it are of the Sunan (supererogatory acts of worship following the example of the Prophet) of Salah. It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did so, as it was narrated by Al-Zuhry on the authority of Salim that his father said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) raising his hands opposite his shoulders upon the beginning of Salah and before making Ruku‘ and after (Part No. 5; Page No. 306

A: Raising one’s hands upon pronouncing Takbirat-ul-Ihram (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]" upon starting Prayer), saying Allahu Akbar on performing Ruku‘, and on rising from it are of the Sunan (supererogatory acts of worship following the example of the Prophet) of Salah. It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did so, as it was narrated by Al-Zuhry on the authority of Salim that his father said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) raising his hands opposite his shoulders upon the beginning of Salah and before making Ruku‘ and after (Part No. 5; Page No. 306) lifting his head from Ruku‘. But he (peace be upon him) did not raise them on making Sujud (prostration).” (Reported by Al-Bukhari) ‘Aly ibn Al-Madiny said: "Muslims should raise their hands on the grounds of this Hadith."It was narrated on the authority of Muhammad ibn ‘Amr ibn ‘Ata’ that he said: I heard Abu Humayd Al-Sa‘idy, while being in the company of ten of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) including Abu Qatadah, saying: "I know best the way the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to offer Salah. They said: "Show us." He said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to raise his hands opposite his shoulders upon the beginning of Salah. Then he says Allahu Akbar until every bone is settled in its position. Then, he recites the Qur’an. Then he says Allahu Akbar and raises his hands opposite his shoulders. Then he makes Ruku‘ putting his palms on his knees holding his head erect without raising or lowering his head too much. Then, he raises his head and says: "Sami‘a-l-lahu liman hamidah” (Allah listens to those who praise Him). Then, he raises his hands opposite his shoulders. After that they said: "You are right. This is how the Prophet offered Salah. (Reported by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy) He classified the Hadith as Hasan (good ) and Sahih (authentic). Your Salah is valid whether you raised your hands or not, as raising the hands is a Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet). A Muslim should follow what was authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) whether it is in accordance with his Madh-hab or not.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.