Fatwa ID: 08582
Written by Muftiyah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Question:
As far as ladies are concerned, are there any narrations/fiqhi texts that explain the كيفية of a lady Du’ā? E.g. should her hands be together or slightly apart, or raised to chest height or lower etc.?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
There is no specific way to raise your hands for dua, however there have been narrations where actions of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH have been reported. Some have mentioned his hands being raised and others raising his hands like a pauper.[1]
As for a lady, modesty is always encouraged in all actions, therefore she would be encouraged for her to keep her hands as close to her chest as possible.[2]
References:
[1] وقال مالك: يقلب القوم أرديتهم كما فعل الإمام، وعن أبي يوسف رحمه الله قال: إن شاء رفع يديه في الدعاء، وإن شاء أشار بأصبعه؛ لأن رفع اليدين في الدعاء سنّة جاء في الحديث «أن النبي عليه السلام كان يدعو بعرفات باسطاً يديه كالمتضرع المسكين
ص140 – كتاب المحيط البرهاني – الفصل الحادي والثلاثون في صلاة المريض – المكتبة الشاملة
[2] وَهُوَ بِمَا قُلْنَاهُ، وَمَا رَوَاهُ يُحْمَلُ عَلَى حَالَةِ الْعُذْرِ (وَالْمَرْأَةُ تَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهَا حِذَاءَ مَنْكِبَيْهَا) وَهُوَ الصَّحِيحُ لِأَنَّهُ أَسْتَرُ لَهَ
ص283 – كتاب العناية شرح الهداية بهامش فتح القدير ط الحلبي – باب صفة الصلاة –
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Muftiyah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham