Placing the Hands on the Chest after Straightening up from Bowing

Question :

Should the worshipper fold his arms on his chest after straightening up from bowing, because in a certain mosque, we are in disagreement on this point? Please deliver the correct ruling for us, may Allah reward you.

Answer:

The authentic Hadiths from the Messenger of Allah, such as that of Sahl bin Sa'd, Wa'il bin Hujr and others prove that it is lawful for the worshipper to place his right hand over his left after straightening up from bowing, whether it be in the standing before bowing or after it. And in some of the narrations, there is evidence that it is better to place them on the chest, and this is the action of choice, according to the aforementioned authentic Hadiths. As for lowering the hands, we know of no legal evidence for those who say that; and we have written extensively our views on this subject, and they have been published in the national newspapers and other publications; but one should bear in mind that the question of lowering or raising the hands is not one that should cause conflict and enmity between the people of this Ummah. Rather, it is incumbent upon the Muslims to cooperate in righteousness and piety and brotherly love, and to advise each other regarding matters of mutual concern, even if they differ in matters of jurisprudence, such as lowering or folding the arms and other like matters, because folding the arms is a Sunnah and not obligatory, and whoever prayed with his arms folded or lowered (after standing from the bowing), his prayer is correct, although it is better and prescribed to fold the arms, in accordance with the words and deeds of the Prophet. And we ask Allah that He grant us and all of the Muslims success in understanding His religion and that He keep us firm upon it, and that He protect us all from the evil of ourselves and the wickedness of our deeds and from the misguidance of discord. Verily, He is All-Hearing, Ever Near (to all things).

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