The Prayer of the Prophet: A Detailed Guide to How Prophet (PBUH) Prayed

The prayer (Salah) is the second pillar of Islam and a direct communion between a Muslim and their Creator. The way Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed Salah serves as the ultimate guide for Muslims worldwide. His every movement, recitation, and supplication was meticulously preserved through the Hadith literature, offering a comprehensive blueprint for this essential act of worship. This article will detail the Prophet's method of performing Salah, including the various options for supplications (du'as) mentioned in authentic narrations, with a specific focus on the practice of Raf'ul Yadain (raising the hands).

The Prerequisites for Prayer: Before Salah Begins

Before embarking on the Salah, certain conditions must be met, all of which the Prophet diligently observed:

1. Purity (Taharah): The Prophet always ensured he was in a state of ritual purity. This involves:
• Wudu (Ablution): For minor impurities.
• Ghusl (Ritual Bath): For major impurities.
• The place of prayer and one's clothes must also be clean.

2. Facing the Qibla: The Prophet always faced the Kaaba in Makkah during his prayers, instructing his companions to do the same.
3. Intention (Niyyah): While not verbally articulated, the intention to pray a specific Salah (e.g., Fajr, Dhuhr) was always present in the Prophet's heart.

The Structure of Salah: Step-by-Step

The Prophet's prayer consisted of several distinct postures and recitations, forming units called "Rak'ahs." Each Salah comprises a specific number of Rak'ahs.

1. Standing (Qiyam) and the Opening Takbir (Takbiratul Ihram)

• Facing the Qibla: The Prophet would stand facing the Kaaba.
• Raising Hands (Raf'ul Yadain): He would raise his hands to the level of his shoulders or ears, with palms facing the Qibla, while saying the Takbiratul Ihram. This is the first instance of Raf'ul Yadain.
• Takbiratul Ihram: He would then say: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest). This marks the beginning of the prayer, and all worldly matters become unlawful from this point.
• Placing Hands: After the Takbir, the Prophet would place his right hand over his left hand on his chest or below the navel, as various narrations suggest both.

2. The Opening Supplication (Dua al-Istiftah / Sana)

After the Takbiratul Ihram and before reciting Al-Fatihah, the Prophet would recite one of several opening supplications. These supplications are optional but highly recommended.

• Option 1 (Most Common):
  سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
  (Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk)
  Translation: "Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty, and there is no god besides You."
• Option 2:
  اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَايَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ
  (Allahumma ba'id baini wa baina khatayaya kama ba'adta bainal-mashriqi wal-maghrib, Allahumma naqqini minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danas, Allahummaghsil khatayaya bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad)
  Translation: "O Allah, distance me from my sins as You have distanced the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed from dirt. O Allah, wash away my sins with water, snow, and hail."
• Option 3 (Longer):
  وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
  (Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fataras-samawati wal-arda hanifan wa ma ana minal-mushrikin, inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi Rabbil-'alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana awwalul-Muslimin)
  Translation: "I have turned my face sincerely towards Him who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists. Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. He has no partner. And with this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims."
  Followed by: اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَنْتَ رَبِّي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَاعْتَرَفْتُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، وَاهْدِنِي لأَحْسَنِ الأَخْلاَقِ لاَ يَهْدِي لأَحْسَنِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لاَ يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، لَبَّيْكَ وَسَعْدَيْكَ، وَالْخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ فِي يَدَيْكَ، وَالشَّرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْكَ، أَنَا بِكَ وَإِلَيْكَ، تَبَارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
  (Allahumma Antal-Maliku la ilaha illa Anta, Anta Rabbi wa ana 'abduk, zalamtu nafsi wa'taraftu bidhanbi faghfir li dhunubi jami'an innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta, wahdini li ahsanil-akhlaqi la yahdi li ahsaniha illa Anta, wasrif 'anni sayyi'aha la yasrifu 'anni sayyi'aha illa Anta, labbaika wa sa'daik, wal-khairu kulluhu fi yadaik, wash-sharru laisa ilaika, ana bika wa ilaika, tabarakta wa ta'alaita, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaika.)
  Translation: "O Allah, You are the King, there is no god but You. You are my Lord and I am Your servant. I have wronged myself and admitted my sin, so forgive me all my sins, for none forgives sins but You. And guide me to the best of characters, for none guides to the best of them but You. And turn away from me the evil of them, for none turns away the evil of them but You. I am here at Your service and at Your disposal. All good is in Your hands, and evil is not attributed to You. I exist by You and return to You. Blessed and Exalted are You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You."

3. Recitation (Qira'ah)

• Ta'awwudh and Basmalah: Before reciting Al-Fatihah, the Prophet would quietly say:
  أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ (A'udhu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajim - I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast.)
  Followed by:
  بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ (Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim - In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.)
• Surah Al-Fatihah: Reciting Al-Fatihah is obligatory in every Rak'ah. The Prophet emphasized its importance, stating, "There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book."
• Another Surah/Verses: After Al-Fatihah, the Prophet would typically recite another complete Surah or a few verses from the Qur'an. The length of the recitation varied based on the prayer (e.g., longer in Fajr, shorter in Asr and Maghrib). He would often recite loudly in Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha, and quietly in Dhuhr and Asr.

4. Bowing (Ruku')

• Raising Hands (Raf'ul Yadain before Ruku'): Just before going into Ruku', the Prophet would again raise his hands to the level of his shoulders or ears, saying اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar). This is the second instance of Raf'ul Yadain.
• Posture: He would bend at his waist, keeping his back straight and parallel to the ground. His hands would grasp his knees, with fingers spread apart. His head would be neither raised nor lowered, but in line with his back.
• Du'a in Ruku': He would recite one of the following:
• Option 1 (Most Common):
  سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ (Subhana Rabbiyal-'Azim - Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.) - Recited three or more times.
• Option 2:
  سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي (Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, Allahummaghfir li - Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me.)
• Option 3 (Slightly longer):
  سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ (Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbul-mala'ikati war-ruh - Glorious, Most Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit.)

5. Standing After Ruku' (I'tidal)

• Raising Hands (Raf'ul Yadain after Ruku'): As he would raise his head from Ruku' to stand upright, the Prophet would again raise his hands to the level of his shoulders or ears, saying سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ (Sami'allahu liman hamidah - Allah hears those who praise Him). This is the third instance of Raf'ul Yadain.
• Posture: He would stand upright, with his hands hanging by his sides, until every bone returned to its place.
• Du'a in I'tidal:
  رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ (Rabbana wa lakal-hamd - Our Lord, and to You be all praise.)
  Sometimes adding:
  حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ (Hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih - Much pure, blessed praise.)
• Option 2 (Longer):
  اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمِلْءَ الأَرْضِ وَمِلْءَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ
  (Allahumma Rabbana lakal-hamdu mil'as-samawati wa mil'al-ardi wa mil'a ma bainahuma wa mil'a ma shi'ta min shai'in ba'd)
  Translation: "O Allah, our Lord, to You be all praise, filling the heavens, filling the earth, filling what is between them, and filling whatever else You wish."

6. Prostration (Sujud)

• Takbir: The Prophet would say اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar) while moving from I'tidal to Sujud. (Note: There is no Raf'ul Yadain when going into or coming out of Sujud in the vast majority of authentic narrations).
• Descent: He would descend to prostration, placing his knees down first, then his hands, and then his forehead and nose on the ground. His fingers and toes would be pointing towards the Qibla. His elbows would be raised from the ground, not spread wide like a dog.
• Du'a in Sujud: This is a position of utmost humility and closeness to Allah, where supplications are most likely to be answered.
• Option 1 (Most Common):
  سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى (Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la - Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.) - Recited three or more times.
• Option 2:
  سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي (Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, Allahummaghfir li - Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me.)
• Option 3:
  سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ (Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbul-mala'ikati war-ruh - Glorious, Most Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit.)
• Option 4 (Personal Dua): The Prophet would also make various personal supplications in Sujud. Any permissible du'a can be made here in Arabic.

7. Sitting Between Two Prostrations (Jalsah)

• Takbir: The Prophet would say اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar) while rising from the first Sujud.
• Posture: He would sit on his left foot, with his right foot upright and its toes pointing towards the Qibla. His hands would rest on his thighs. He would pause in this position until every bone returned to its place.
• Du'a Between Two Sujuds:
• Option 1 (Most Common):
  رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي (Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li - My Lord, forgive me, My Lord, forgive me.)
• Option 2 (More comprehensive):
  اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَاجْبُرْنِي وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي وَارْفَعْنِي
  (Allahummaghfir li warhamni wahdini wajburni wa 'afini warzuqni warfa'ni)
  Translation: "O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, mend my affairs, grant me well-being, provide for me, and raise my status."

8. Second Prostration (Sujud)

• Takbir: The Prophet would say اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar) and perform the second prostration exactly like the first.
• Du'a: The same supplications as in the first Sujud are recited.

9. Rising for the Next Rak'ah

• After the second Sujud, the Prophet would rise for the next Rak'ah, saying اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar). Before standing fully, he would often sit briefly in a resting position (jalsat al-istirahah) if he was going to stand for the next Rak'ah.
• Raising Hands (Raf'ul Yadain when standing for the third Rak'ah): When rising from the second prostration (which concludes the first or second Rak'ah) to begin the next Rak'ah (e.g., the third Rak'ah in Dhuhr/Asr/Isha, or the second Rak'ah in Fajr), the Prophet would again raise his hands to the level of his shoulders or ears, saying اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar). This is the fourth instance of Raf'ul Yadain in a multi-rak'ah prayer (specifically at the beginning of the 3rd Rak'ah if applicable, or the 2nd for Fajr).

The Sitting (Tashahhud)

The Tashahhud is a crucial part of the Salah and occurs twice in most prayers: the first Tashahhud (after the second Rak'ah in Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha) and the final Tashahhud (before the Taslim in all prayers).

• Posture: The Prophet would sit in a similar manner to the sitting between two prostrations, placing his hands on his thighs. For the final Tashahhud, he would often sit with his left foot tucked under his right leg, with his left thigh on the ground (Tawarruk), while keeping his right foot upright. He would also point with his right index finger during the Tashahhud.
• Recitation of At-Tashahhud:
  التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
  (At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu 'alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, as-salamu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin, ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh)
  Translation: "All greetings of blessedness are for Allah, and all prayers and good things. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger."
• Salawat (Durood Ibrahimiyyah - Recited in the Final Tashahhud): After the Tashahhud, the Prophet would recite blessings upon himself and his family.
  اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
  (Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.)
  Translation: "O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious."
• Seeking Refuge from Four Things (after Salawat, in Final Tashahhud): The Prophet would then seek refuge from four things:
  اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
  (Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabi Jahannam, wa min 'adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-Masihid-Dajjal.)
  Translation: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hellfire, and from the torment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the Antichrist (Dajjal)."
• Personal Du'a (in Final Tashahhud): After this, the Prophet would make various personal supplications for himself and other Muslims. This is an excellent opportunity to supplicate for anything permissible.

The Concluding Salutation (Taslim)

• Turning Right: The Prophet would turn his face to his right, saying:
  السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ (As-salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah - Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.)
• Turning Left: He would then turn his face to his left, saying:
  السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ (As-salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah - Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.)
  This signals the end of the Salah.

Du'as After Fardh Salah (After the Taslim)

After completing the obligatory (fardh) prayers, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would engage in various remembrances (dhikr) and supplications. These are highly recommended but not part of the Salah itself.

1. Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar):
• أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ (Astaghfirullah, Astaghfirullah, Astaghfirullah - I seek forgiveness from Allah - recited three times)

2. General Remembrance:

• اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلاَمُ، تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ
  (Allahumma Antas-Salam wa minkas-salam, tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram)
  Translation: "O Allah, You are the Peace, and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor."

3. Tasbih, Tahmid, Takbir: The Prophet would often recite these 33 times each:

• سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ (Subhanallah - Glory be to Allah - 33 times)
• الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (Alhamdulillah - All praise is due to Allah - 33 times)
• اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest - 33 times)
• Followed by one time:
  لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
  (La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shai'in Qadir)
  Translation: "There is no god but Allah alone, without any partner. To Him belongs all sovereignty and all praise, and He is over all things competent." (This completes the count to 100 and earns great rewards).

4. Ayat al-Kursi: The Prophet encouraged reciting Ayat al-Kursi after every fardh Salah.
   اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
   (Allah! La ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum. La ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm. Lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ardh. Man dhal-ladhi yashfa’u ‘indahu illa bi idhnih? Ya’lamu ma baina aidihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhituna bi shai’im-min ‘ilmihi illa bima sha’a. Wasi’a Kursiyyuhus-samawati wal-ardh, wa la ya’uduhu hifdhuhuma. Wa Huwal-’Aliyyul-’Adhim.)
   Translation: "Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255)
5. Recitation of Short Surahs: The Prophet also encouraged reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas after every fardh Salah, and three times after Fajr and Maghrib.
6. Various Supplications: The Prophet would make many other supplications, for example:

• اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
  (Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatika)
  Translation: "O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner."
• اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
  (Allahumma inni as'alukal-jannata wa a'udhu bika minan-nar)
  Translation: "O Allah, I ask You for Paradise and I seek refuge in You from the Hellfire."

The Significance of Raf'ul Yadain

Raf'ul Yadain, the raising of the hands during prayer, is a well-established Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is authentically reported in numerous narrations from various companions, including 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, Malik ibn Huwairith, and Abu Hurairah. While there has been scholarly discussion on its frequency and obligation, the consensus among many major schools of thought and Hadith scholars is that it is a highly recommended act (Sunnah), and its omission does not invalidate the prayer.

The primary instances of Raf'ul Yadain in the Prophet's prayer were:

1. At the beginning of the Salah (Takbiratul Ihram).
2. When going into Ruku' (bowing).
3. When rising from Ruku' (I'tidal).
4. When rising from the first Tashahhud (after the second Rak'ah) to begin the third Rak'ah in a three or four-rak'ah prayer.

The wisdom behind Raf'ul Yadain is believed to be:

• A sign of submission and surrender: Raising hands is a universal gesture of surrender and humility before a higher power.
• Increased focus and concentration: It helps to break the flow of worldly thoughts and bring the worshipper's attention fully to the prayer.
• Emphasizing transitions: It clearly marks the transition between major postures in the prayer, indicating a new phase of worship.
• Following the Sunnah: Most importantly, it is a direct emulation of the Prophet's practice, through which one gains reward and closeness to Allah.

Conclusion

The prayer of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was characterized by profound humility, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep connection with Allah. By following his Sunnah in Salah, including practices like Raf'ul Yadain, Muslims can hope to attain the spiritual tranquility and immense rewards promised for those who establish their prayers correctly. Emulating his prayer is not merely a ritualistic act but a pathway to inner peace, divine mercy, and spiritual elevation. While the core elements of Salah are obligatory, the Prophet's various optional recitations and supplications, along with specific physical actions like Raf'ul Yadain, offer a rich tapestry of devotion, allowing each individual to deepen their personal worship and seek closeness to their Creator.