Is it considered an innovation (bid'ah) for a worshipper to raise their hands during the takbir and bowing if it is higher than the earlobes or lower than the shoulders?
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to raise his hands level with his shoulders, as reported by Ibn Umar and others. Malik ibn al-Huwayrith narrated that he raised his hands level with the tops of his ears. Al-Shafi'i reconciled these narrations by stating that the raising should be such that the fingertips are level with the tops of the ears, the thumbs with the earlobes, and the palms with the shoulders. It was also reported from Ibn Umar that he raised his hands below his shoulders, which indicates the flexibility of the matter. The worshipper should strive to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in raising the hands to the shoulders or the tops of the ears.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/107232