Most-asked question

Where should the hands be placed in salaah?

64 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 6 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, MUBZ, Azaadville, Jamiat KZN). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“Fundamentally, raising the hands in Dua is considered a Mustahab action, as indicated in many narrations. The following is recorded in Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud Sharif:”

Ibn Masood — Raising the hands in Dua · 9 Aug 2023

“1) We appreciate your question and understand your sentiments. Nevertheless, it should be noted, folding the hands in Qunoot is Sunnah and thus more beloved to Allah Ta'ala. Therefore, when supplicating in Witr you should rather attempt to supplicate in a manner/position that is most beloved to Him.”

Ask Imaam — Raising the hands in Dua Qunoot · 29 Nov 2021

“The Hanafis have sufficient and authentic proofs from the Ahaadith for not raising the hands before and after ruku' as well as for tying the hands beneath the navel in the position of qiyaam. Refer to I'laaus Sunan, Aathaar-us-Sunan and Musannaf ibn Abi Shaibah to view the proofs of the Hanafi Mazhab.”

Mufti Online — Raising the hands before ruku' · 5 Nov 2014

“One will only lift his hands up in the first Takbeer, not for the following Takbeers. Yes, if someone reads in a gathering where the Musallis lift up their hands for all the Takeers, one may also do so.”

Azaadville — Raising The Hands For Takbeer In Janaazah Salaah · 2 Aug 2023

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Reciting Qunūt al-Nāzilah in All Ṣalāhs & Raising the Hands for QunūtMUBZ · 20 Feb 2025
  2. Raising the hands in DuaIbn Masood · 9 Aug 2023
  3. Raising hands for the Dua after AdhaanAsk Imaam · 13 Feb 2022
  4. Raising one’s hands in dua when seeing the Ka’bah ShareefMufti Online · 8 Sep 2019
  5. Raising The Hands For Takbeer In Janaazah SalaahAzaadville · 2 Aug 2023
  6. Why don’t Hanafis raise their hands when going into ruku or raising their heads from ruku`?Jamiat KZN · 4 Sep 2017
  7. Raising the hands in Salaah before and after every RukuIbn Masood · 22 Nov 2022
  8. Raising the hands in Dua QunootAsk Imaam · 29 Nov 2021
  9. Raising the hands before ruku'Mufti Online · 5 Nov 2014
  10. Raising the hands at the time of Takbeer-e-TahreemahIbn Masood · 12 Apr 2022
  11. Raising hands until ear lobes in takbeerAsk Imaam · 29 Oct 2018
  12. When should one raise his hands for Dua?Mufti Online · 16 Dec 2012
  13. Raising The Hands In Janaazah SalaahIbn Masood · 26 Nov 2025
  14. Raising hands for Dua after obligatory SalahAsk Imaam · 6 Feb 2018
  15. Facing the Hajr-e-Aswad and raising one's hands when making istilaamMufti Online · 20 Sep 2025

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