open to independent reasoning, then each of us should excuse his brother for the conclusion at which he has arrived through independent reasoning.

There is nothing wrong with beneficial, calm discussion between brothers. I prefer that discussion between those who differ take place away from others, because those others may harbor feelings as a result of the discussion that the two disputants themselves do not harbor. The matter may perhaps end with the two of them reaching agreement, while those who attended, for example, may retain something in their hearts even after these two have agreed. Satan then stirs enmity among them, and we remain in our affliction. So I say: May Allah reward Imam Ahmad for this excellent principle: when the early generations differed regarding something and there was no decisive text, then the matter was broad in scope, and all of the views were permissible.

“He raises his hands with every takbir and says: ‘Allah is Most Great, greatly so; and all praise is due to Allah, abundantly …’”

His statement, “He raises his hands with every takbir”: As for the opening takbir, there is no doubt that he raises his hands for it, because this is established in the two Sahihs in the hadith of Ibn Umar and others (1). As for the remaining takbirs, the scholars differ concerning them:

The first view: he raises his hands.

The second view: he does not raise his hands.

The correct view is that he raises his hands with every takbir, including the takbirs of the funeral prayer, because this is reported from the Companions, and nothing contrary to it has been reported from the Prophet. Such an act is not open to independent reasoning, for it is an act of worship—a movement within an act of worship. No Companion would have undertaken it unless it had a basis from the Messenger of Allah. It is authentically reported from Ibn Umar that he