for what is left unmentioned is not like what is explicitly stated. There is no contradiction unless two explicit statements conflict. But if one of them states something while the other is silent, then there is no contradiction, because the absence of a report is not itself a report of absence.
- It is authentically reported from Ibn Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—as a statement of his own (1), yet it carries the ruling of a report traced back to the Prophet, since such a matter cannot be established through personal reasoning.
If it is said: Perhaps Ibn Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—derived this by analogy with the other prayers?
The answer is that the other prayers do not involve raising the hands with every takbir, as is established in a hadith narrated by Ibn Umar himself.
- The underlying rationale also calls for it: when he moves his hands, the transition from the first takbir combines both word and action, as in the rest of the prayers. In the prayers, verbal utterance is accompanied by an action—whether bowing, prostrating, standing, or sitting. Thus, it is fitting that an action accompany the verbal utterance; and no action is suitable here except raising the hands, since bowing and prostrating are not possible. Thus, raising the hands remains.
Accordingly, raising the hands with every takbir is supported by both textual evidence and rational consideration.
His statement, “with every takbir”: it has previously been mentioned in the Book of Prayer that one may begin raising the hands along with the beginning of the takbir; or, if one wishes, say the takbir and then raise them; or, if one wishes, raise them and then say the takbir.