The answer is: he should raise them as far as he is able, for Allah, Most High, says:
“So fear Allah as much as you are able.” [al-Taghabun 64:16]
Likewise, if a person has an impairment such that he cannot raise them level with his shoulders but can only raise them higher than that—for example, if his elbows cannot bend and remain straight—should he raise them?
The answer is: he should raise them, for Allah, Most High, says:
“So fear Allah as much as you are able.” [al-Taghabun 64:16]
If he is unable to raise one hand, he should raise the other, in accordance with the verse. This is also because, when the Prophet ﷺ was standing at Arafat with his hands raised in supplication and the rein of his she-camel fell, he took it with one hand while keeping the other raised, supplicating to Allah with it. (1)
He may also raise them to the upper parts of his ears, as this has been narrated from the Prophet ﷺ. (2) Thus, the manner of raising the hands is among those acts of worship that have been transmitted in a variety of forms.
The scholars, may Allah have mercy on them, differed regarding acts of worship transmitted in a variety of forms: is it better to confine oneself to one of those forms; or to perform them all at different times; or to combine those forms that can be combined? (3) The correct view is the moderate second opinion: that