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Fatwa CenterRaising hands with Takbeer
Question
I have a very important question about raising the hands with Takbeer in funeral and 'Id prayers. Could you give the reliable evidence for raising or not raising the hands during the Janazah prayer (with the first Takbeer or with other Takbeerat too; where to place the hands in funeral prayer)? Secondly, should we raise the hands only with the first Takbeer during 'Id prayer or with other Takbeerat too? Also where to place the hands during the 'Id prayer after pronouncing Takbeerat? What do Muslim religious scholars say about all this?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. There is consensus that raising both hands in first (opening) Takbeer of 'Id and funeral prayer is desirable. This consensus is reported by Ibn al-Munzir , Ibn Qudamah , al-Nawawi and others. However, the Muslim scholars have different opinions concerning the matter of raising hands in the additional Takbeer. The majority of Muslim scholars including al-Ahnaf al-Shafi'e and al-Hanabilah are of the opinion that it is desirable during both 'Id prayers. al-Malikiya are of the opinion that the hands should be raised only in the first Takbeer. As for funeral prayer, al-Shafi'e and al-Hanabilah believe that it is desirable to raise both hands with each Takbeer during the funeral prayer. They present the Hadith of Ibn Umar as evidence for them. The Hadith is reported with a sound chain in al-Sunan and al-Baihaqi. Al-Ahnaf and al-Malikiyah are of the opinion that raising hands during funeral prayer should be only one time with the first Takbeer. The preponderant opinion is that raising hands or not raising them, both actions, are correct since both parties have strong evidences that support their opinions. We would say that this is among the matters in which differences of opinions should be respected for the lack of a sound Hadith that supports either opinion. Pronouncing Takbeer aloud is desirable for the Imam not his followers since the purpose of Imam is to inform the followers and let them hear the Takbeer. As for placing hands during funeral or 'Id prayer, there is no difference between these prayers and the other prayers. To know the place where the hands should be placed read the Fatawa: 82692 and 83175. Allah knows best.
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