Question:
Selam Alejkum I saw this video in internet and im asking is this real that we should place our hands when we pray on the chest ( man ) Please answer speed because im very confused http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG2mNhberMI
Answer:
Salamu Alaikum,
The position of the hands during prayer differs according to the madhab.
Shafii, Hanbali and Hanafi madhabs are similar and require that we place the right hand over the left wrist just below the navel. Maliki madhab requires the hands either by the side or clasped and under the navel as the other madhhabs.
Please note though that all madhabs are in agreement that where you place your hands is not a wajib matter but only an option. In other words, the placement of the hands does not nullify your prayer, all positions are acceptable. The Prophet (pbuh) was seen praying differently by different Companions.
Unfortunately, some Salafi scholars now are insisting on placing the hands above the navel because they reject the madhabs and analyse the hadiths by themselves. The video you shared is an example of a modern person arguing against hundreds of years of scholarship and thousands of scholars over the centuries who have studied these issues.
As we are ahl-sunnah wal-jamaat and followers of the Naqsbandi Tariqat we follow our Shaykhs, do as they do and follow the traditions of the four imams. So according to your madhab you can decide. But as explained above, the position of the hands is not a critical condition for prayer.
And Allah and His Prophet know best.
Hajj Khalid Aboulela
