Q: It is related in Sahih (Authentic Collection of Hadith) Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) (Part No. 7; Page No. 114) who said: A Bedouin came in while the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was delivering the Friday Khutbah (sermon) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Our livelihood is destroyed and the children are stricken with hunger. Supplicate Allah for us (for rain)." He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) raised his hands and supplicated Allah. Clouds hugely gathered in the sky that they became like mountains. And before he had descended from the Minbar (pulpit), I saw rain trickling down his beard. Imam Muslim and Ahmad recorded on the authority of Husayn who said: "I was sitting beside `Umarah ibn Ruaybah (may Allah be pleased with him) when Bishr ibn Marwan was delivering a Khutbah to us. When it was time to make Du`a', he started to raise his hands. `Imarah said: "May Allah be displeased with these two hands, for I have never seen the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) going beyond pointing his finger while making Du`a'. The first Hadith showed the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) raising his hands upon making Du`a'. However, the second Hadith showed the great Sahabi (Companion of the Prophet Muhammad), `Imarah as disapproving of the conduct of Bishr ibn Marwan. How could you reconcile between these seemingly contradicting Hadiths? Please advise us on this matter. May Allah enlighten you and increase you and us in knowledge.

A: The basic rule is that the Khatib (preacher) raising his hands while on the Minbar (pulpit) is only permitted when making Du`a'-ul-Istisqa' (Supplication for rain). Raising the hands on any other occasion has no basis in Shari`ah (Islamic law). This is because raising the hands during Du`a' is an act of `Ibadah (worship) which should be based on Tawqif (a religious text and not personal opinion). There exists no report to the effect that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is known to have raised his hands while delivering the Friday Khutbah (sermon). The only exception is that when he was reported to have done this while making Du`a'-ul-Istisqa'. That is why this Sahabi (Companion of the Prophet Muhammad) disapproved of Bishr ibn Marwan raising his hands when making Du`a' upon delivering the Friday Khutbah. This is because the Du`a' he was making was not meant to supplicate Allah (Exalted be He) for rain. (Part No. 7; Page No. 115) In this way there is no contradiction between the two Hadiths mentioned above.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.