It is from one of the great mannerisms of making dua to raise the hands
It is something which is established from the sunnah in multiple narrations
Imam Al-Suyūdi mentioned that there are approximately 100 hadith which mention that The Prophet (ﷺ) used to raise his hands when making dua
Imam Al-Bukhari has a specific chapter in his Sahih book entitled “The raising of the hands on invoking”
The hadith of Abu Musa Al-Ashari (may Allah be pleased with him)
The hadith of Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
Narrated Anas: “The Prophet (ﷺ) raised his hands (in invocation) till I saw the whiteness of his armpits.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar mentioned in his explanation of Sahih Al-Bukhari the widespread narrations regarding the raising of the hands when making dua
The Hadith of Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her)
Salman Al-Farsi narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Indeed, Allah, is Hayy, Generous, when a man raises his hands to Him, He feels too shy to return them to him empty and rejected.” [At-Tirmidhi]
Raising the hands in different circumstances:
General method of raising the hands:
One should raise his/her hands to the level of the shoulders, with the palms facing upwards
g. when making a general dua or in qunuut etc.
When asking for forgiveness or mentioning Allah’s tawhid:
It is mentioned that in these cases one can raise his finger
g. in the tashahud
When in a state of great need or in distress:
In these cases one can raise his hands up high such that his underarms can be seen
Lesson 23: Seek forgiveness, be persistent, remember Allah in times of ease, he will be with you in times of difficulty
The importance of seeking forgiveness from the sins you have committed and make repentance before making your dua for indeed the accumulation of sins is one of the reasons why your dua may not be answered.
Some of the salaf used to say do not think that the answer to your dua is being delayed whilst you yourself have blocked the dua from being answered due to sins
There is also some poetry written about this, what does it say?
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah the Almighty is Good and accepts only that which is good. And verily Allah has commanded the believers to do that which He has commanded the Messengers. So the Almighty has said: “O (you) Messengers! Eat of the tayyibat [all kinds of halal (legal) foods], and perform righteous deeds.” [23:51] and the Almighty has said: “O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you.” [2:172]” Then he (saws) mentioned [the case] of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty, and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying “O Lord! O Lord!,” while his food is haram (unlawful), his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, and he has been nourished with haram, so how can [his supplication] be answered?” [Muslim, also found in the 40 Hadith of Imam Nawawi]
Performing impermissible (Haraam) actions can be a means that prevents your dua from being Answered.
Likewise abandoning the obligations may also lead to dua not being answered
Therefore, whoever wishes for Allah to answer his dua and bring his hopes into fruition then it is upon him to repent to Allah with a sincere repentance from his sins
There is no sin too great for Allah to forgive
Neither is there any need which is too great for Allah to answer
Indeed the Propehts and Messengers (may peace be upon them Allah) used to encourage their people to seek forgiveness.
“”I said (to them): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving;” [Surah Nūh (Noah) verse 10]
“’He will send rain to you in abundance;” [Surah Nūh (Noah) verse 10]
“’And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.”” [Surah Nūh (Noah) verse 10]
Therefore making repentance is a cause for the goodness to descend and for blessing to continue and for dua to be answered
What did the the Khalif ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab used to do when asking Allah for rain?
What was the advice Al-Hasan Al-Basri gave the people when they complained to him about various issues?
