of Hanbalis, Shafiʿis, and others.” End quote.

Several rigorously authentic hadiths support this report; they will be cited shortly, Allah willing.

In my judgment this narration is the strongest, for its proof is sound and faces no opposing evidence. Al-Khaṭṭābī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “As for the report of Abu Humayd al-Saʿidi concerning raising the hands when rising from the tashahhud, it is an authentic hadith. Ten Companions, including Abu Qatadah al-Ansari, testified to it. A number of hadith scholars have upheld it. Al-Shafiʿi did not mention it, yet consistency with his principle of accepting additional wording would require affirming it.”

I respond: In fact, this very position is reported from al-Shafiʿi (may Allah have mercy on him). Al-Nawawi states in his commentary on Muslim: “Al-Shafiʿi has another opinion deeming it recommended to raise the hands in a fourth instance—when one rises after the first tashahhud.” This opinion is correct, for an authentic hadith of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) relates that the Prophet ﷺ did so, and it is likewise authentically reported from Abu Humayd al-Saʿidi, transmitted by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi with sound chains.

I add: The hadith of Ibn ʿUmar is transmitted through three sound routes.

First route: Al-Bukhari in his Sahih and Abu Dawud in his Sunan record, through ʿUbayd Allah ibn ʿUmar al-ʿUmari from Nafiʿ, that Ibn ʿUmar would, on entering the prayer, pronounce the opening takbir and raise his hands; when he bowed he raised his hands; when he said, “Allah hears the one who praises Him,” he raised his hands; and when he rose after the two rakʿahs he raised his hands. Ibn ʿUmar traced this practice back to the Prophet ﷺ.

Second route: Al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his booklet on the raising