Prayer # 4 & 5: Takbeer & The Raising Of Both Hands

 

# 4. Takbeer

The Prophet, Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa  Sallam, always began the prayer by reciting Takbeer, ‘Allahu akbar’ (Hadith narrated by Muslim and Ibn Majah ) and he had ordered as such to a person who was wrong in his prayer. He said to the man,

“Verily, a person’s prayer is not perfect before he has made ​​ablution and performed the appropriate ablution as is it’s provision, then he says Allahu akbar.” (Hadith narrated by Thabarani, sanad Sahih).

He (Rasulullah, Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said, “The key to prayer is purification starting with takbeer  and ending with salam.” (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Hakim, endorsed by Hakim, approved by Adz-Dzahabi). Salam is saying, “Assalamu’alaykum warrahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.”

He recited takbeer aloud so it is heard by the people behind him (congregation) (Hadith narrated by Ahmad and Hakim, endorsed by Hakim, approved by Adz-Dzahabi).

When he was ill, Abu Bakar was the one who helped offer the takbeer of the Prophet, Salallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam, and uttered takbeer in a loud voice to be heard by the congregation (Hadith narrated by Muslim and Nasa’i).

He said: “When the imam (the priest) was saying Allahu Akbar, ye ought also to say Allahu Akbar (Hadith narrated by Ahmad and Baihaqi with a sahih sanad).

# 5. Raising Both Hands

Sometimes the Prophet, Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, raised his hands in conjunction with utterance of takbeer (hadith narrated by Bukhari and Nasa’i), sometimes after takbeer (hadith narrated by Bukhari and Nasa’i), and sometimes before takbeer (hadith narrated by Bukhari and Abu Dawud).

He raised his hands with open fingers straight up (did not loosen nor grip) (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, Ibnu Khuzaimah, Tamam, and Hakim, endorsed by Hakim and approved by Dzahabi).

And lifted parallel to the shoulder (hadith narrated by Bukhari and Nasa’i), but sometimes parallel to ears (hadith narrated by Bukhari and Abu Dawud). 

 

 

Source: Shifatu Shalaati An – Nabiyyi Shallallaahu ‘ alaihi wa Sallama min At-Takbiiri ilaa At-Tasliimi  Ka – Annaka Taraahaa , by Muhammad Nashiruddin Al-Albani

For your convenience you may also purchase the book on how to pray by click here.

                                                                                                    

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