Is it true that the Sahaabi Ibn Zubayr prayed with Raf al-Yadain?

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

There is proof to assert that Sayidina Abdullah Ibn Zubayr prayed with Raf al-Yadain. The narration in Abu Dawood is not the best evidence since there is weakness in the chain. However, there is a much stronger narration in the Musanaf of Imam Abd al-Razzaq that can be used as proof.

Explanation

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُبَيْرَةَ، عَنْ مَيْمُونٍ الْمَكِّيِّ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ، «وَصَلَّى بِهِمْ يُشِيرُ بِكَفَّيْهِ حِينَ يَقُومُ وَحِينَ يَرْكَعُ وَحِينَ يَسْجُدُ وَحِينَ يَنْهَضُ لِلْقِيَامِ، فَيَقُومُ فَيُشِيرُ بِيَدَيْهِ» فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ ابْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ صَلَّى صَلَاةً لَمْ أَرَ أَحَدًا يُصَلِّيهَا فَوَصَفْتُ لَهُ هَذِهِ الْإِشَارَةَ، فَقَالَ: إِنْ أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ تَنْظُرَ إِلَى صَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَاقْتَدِ بِصَلَاةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ

Qutaybah bin Sa`id narrated to us saying: Ibn Lahi’ah narrated to us, from Abu Hubayrah, from Maymun al-Makki, that he saw Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr. He led them in prayer gesturing with his palms when he stood, bowed, prostrated, and returned to standing. So, I went to Ibn Abbas and said that I saw Ibn al-Zubayr praying a prayer that I had not seen anyone pray. I described to him this gesture. He said: If you would like to look at the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ then imitate the prayer of Abdullah bin al-Zubayr. (Abu Dawood, 739).

The narration above has Ibn Lahi’ah in the chain. He is a weak narrator. It also has Maymoon al-Makki. He is unknown (Majhool). Therefore, the narration is certainly weak. Thus, it is not the best evidence to prove that (Sayidina) Abdullah Ibn Zubayr prayed with Raf al-Yadain. However, there is a far stronger narration in the Musanaf of Imam Abd al-Razzaq.

Stronger narration

عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنِي حَسَنُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ طَاوُسًا، وَهُوَ يُسْأَلُ عَنْ رَفْعِ الْيَدَيْنِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ، فَقَالَ: رَأَيْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، وَعَبْدَ اللَّهِ، وَعَبْدَ اللَّهِ يَرْفَعُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فِي الصَّلَاةِ. لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ

Ibn Jurayj said, Hassan bin Muslim informed me saying, I heard Tawus being asked about raising the hands in prayer. He said: I saw Abdullah, and Abdullah, and Abdullah raising their hands in prayer. Namely, Abdullah bin Umar, Abdullah bin Abbas, and Abdul Allah bin al-Zubayr. (Musanaf Abd al-Razzaq, 2525).

This narration from the Musanaf should be used when claiming that (Sayidina) Abdullah Ibn Zubayr prayed with Raf al-Yadain. It should be kept in mind that the Sahabah differed over the issue of Raf al-Yadain. Some performed it, whilst others did not. Therefore, the difference of opinion must be respected.

Senior Sahabah

The narration above can certainly be used as proof that Sayidina Abdullah Ibn Zubayr prayed with Raf al-Yadain. It can be extended to other great Sahaabah too. Namely, Sayidina Abdullah bin Umar, and Sayidina Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah Most High be pleased with them all). However, it is interesting to note that we have strong narrations regarding more senior Sahabah praying without Raf al-Yadain.

Amongst the senior Sahabah who did not perform Raf al-Yadain were Sayidina Umar bin al-Khattab, Sayidina Ali bin Abi Talib and Sayidina Abdullah bin Masood (May Allah Most High be pleased with them all). Thus, this is clearly a matter that the Sahabah differed over. Therefore, both positions must be respected.

The Hanafi position

The Hanafi Imams preferred the opinions of these senior Sahabah and held the view that Raf al-Yadain should not be performed throughout the prayer. There are clear prophetic Hadith narrations that support the Hanafi opinion. However, the Hanafis do respect the other view and accept there is evidence for both positions.

فظهر بما رَوَيْنا من الطرفين: ثبوت كلٍ من الأمرَيْن عن النبيّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم اختلف أصحابه في بقائه وعدمه. فآثرنا قول ابن مسعود ومن وافقه. (فتح باب العناية بشرح النقاية)

So it is clear from what we have narrated from both sides that both (i.e. Raf al-Yadayn and refraining from it) are established from the Prophet ﷺ. Thereafter, his companions differed over it remaining or being discontinued. (Imam Ali al-Qari, Fath Bab al-Inayah).

Respecting differences

One of the greatest means of division in the Ummah today is an ignorance of valid differences. So many people do not realise or respect the fact that major scholars of the Sahabah differed over legal issues. Thus, they consider one view misguidance and the other acceptable. This is not the way of Sunni Muslims. We have a tradition of respecting valid differences, especially those that are traced back to the Sahabah.

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (17.08.24)