blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord.” [al-Baqarah: 198]

Some scholars have said: they should be raised to the upper parts of the ears in consideration of the upper part of the palm, and level with the shoulders in consideration of its lower part. (1) But we say that there is no need for this reconciliation, because the basic meaning is the palm itself—not its upper or lower part. It appears that the matter is broad in this regard, since these descriptions are close to one another.

His statement, “raising his hands”: the hadiths concerning the beginning of raising the hands have likewise come in several forms. Some indicate that one raises them and then pronounces the takbir, (2) while others indicate that one pronounces the takbir and then raises them, (3) and others indicate that one raises them while pronouncing the takbir. (4) That is, the beginning of the takbir coincides with the beginning of raising the hands, and its conclusion with the completion of raising them; he then places his hands. We say that the matter is also broad in this respect: whether you raise your hands and then pronounce the takbir, pronounce the takbir and then raise them, or raise them along with the takbir, whichever of these forms you perform, you have acted in accordance with the Sunnah.

As in prostration …

His statement, “as in prostration,” means: as he does when he prostrates, placing his hands level with his shoulders. This is one of the two forms of prostration, and, Allah willing, it will be explained how the forearms are to be positioned. The other form is that