Actions During the Prayer
Fatwa No: 83347

Question

1. What is your Fatwa on people praying without holding left and by right hand?2. Can we follow the Imam who conducts the prayers but does not hold his left hand by his right hand?3. Can we say one Salaam after Tashahood (finishing the prayer saying Assalamualikum wa Rahmatullah once)?4. Some People don't say Aameen after Imam says Walallaaleen? Kindly give your Fatwa on above questions with proof from Qur'an and Hadith.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

1. The Prayer of those persons who do not put their right hand on their left hand during the Prayer is Islamically valid because holding one’s hand is merely a Sunnah and the Prayer does not become null by leaving a Sunnah act. For benefit, please refer to the Fatwa 83175.

2. Performing the Prayer behind an Imam who does not hold his hand in his Prayer is valid. But the person led in Prayer who performs the Prayer following an Imam should put his right hand over his left hand following the Sunnah.

3. Making the first Tasleem at the end of the Prayer is compulsory. As for the second Tasleem the scholars have various opinions. The majority of the Muslim scholars are of the opinion that only the first Tasleem is obligatory while the second is recommended; the Hanbali School is of the opinion that both Tasleems are compulsory. Imam Ibn al-Munthir comments that all scholars agree that making only one Salaam is permissible. However, the frequent practice of the Prophet was to end the Prayer with two Tasleems. Imaam Muslim, Ahmad and others narrated from Ibn Mas’ood that the Prophet used to make Salaam turning his head to the right side for a first Tasleem then to the left side for a second Tasleem saying as-Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatul-Allah, as-Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatul-Allah.”

‘Aamir Ibn Sa’d related that his father said: “I saw the Prophet making the Salaam on his right side and on his left side until I could see the whiteness of his cheeks.” [Ahmad, Muslim an-Nasaa-i and Ibn Maajah]

The evidence of those who believe that ending the Prayer with one Salaam is enough, is the Hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah that “The Prophet used to make only one Salaam in his Prayer looking straight forward and slightly moving his head to the right.

Imam Al-Haakim regarded this Hadeeth as sound and Imam Ath-Thahabi approved of it. But many scholars consider it a weak Hadeeth.

Finally, we conclude that making two Salaams is desirable but whoever ends his Prayer with only one Salaam, then his Prayer is Islamically valid and correct.

4. It is recommended for an Imam to say Aameen after reciting the last verse of Soorah al-Faatihah. Similarly, it is desirable for the worshippers led in Prayer to say Aameen.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “When the imam recites, '... not of those with whom You are angered nor of those who have gone astray,' you should say Aameen. If this corresponds to when the angels say it, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari]

Abu Hurayrah also narrated that the Prophet said: “When the Imam recites, '...not of those with whom you are angered nor of those who have gone astray,' then say Aameen (along with the Imam), for the angels say Aameen and the Imam says Aameen. If his Aameen corresponds to the Aameen of the angels, he will have his previous sins forgiven.” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and an-Nasaa-i]

These two Ahadeeth and many other ones which confirm this point emphasize that saying Aameen is recommended for both the Imam and the worshippers led in Prayer behind him.

However, if one ignores it, his Prayer is valid.

Allah knows best.

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