Some scholars held that the hands should be placed above the navel, and Imam Ahmad explicitly stated this position. (1)

Others among the people of knowledge held that they should be placed upon the chest. (2) This is the view closest to what is correct. The reports concerning this are subject to criticism; however, the apparent meaning of Sahl ibn Sa‘d’s hadith in al-Bukhari supports the view that the hands are to be placed on the chest. The best of the relevant reports—despite the criticism concerning them—is the hadith of Wa’il ibn Hujr, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “would place them upon his chest.” (3)

Issue: We see some people placing them upon their left side. When asked why, they say, “Because this is the side of the heart.” This is a flawed rationale for the following reasons:

First, it conflicts with the Sunnah, and every rationale that conflicts with the Sunnah is rejected against the one who advances it, for the Sunnah is more deserving of being followed.

Second, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade a man from praying with his hands on his hips, (4) that is, with his hand placed upon his waist. Even if this prohibition does not directly apply to it, it closely resembles it.