Why do you not consider it obligatory to place the right hand over the left in prayer, even though the Messenger commands us to pray as he prayed — may God’s peace and blessings be upon him?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
None of the jurists, except for the Zahirites, have stated the obligation of placing the right hand over the left in prayer. Rather, the majority are of the opinion that it is (recommended). The correct view attributed to Malik is that he considers grasping (the hands) to be sunnah, like other imams. The reason they did not deem it obligatory is that placing the right hand over the left is one of the postures of prayer, not an independent act of worship.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/53666
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 53666
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy