Ask Qul - Shia Sunni Dialogue - Praying open hands to close hands

Pearl of Wisdom

Worship consists of ten parts, nine of which are to do with earning a lawful living.'

Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa [sawa]

Bihar al-Anwar, v. 103, p. 18, no. 81

Latest Answers

Sexual Ethics & Morals

# 824 - looking for someone in edda mu

Salaat / Prayers

# 709 - Passing wind from the rear

Business / Investment

# 808 - Masjid or Imam Bargah

Sexual Ethics & Morals

# 807 - penetration during period

# 806 - Female masturbation

Divorce / Talaq

# 798 - Divorce

Miscellaneous

# 797 - Kiss

# 792 - hidden buried treasure

Interfaith Dialogue

# 781 - Jesus death

Fasting / Sawm / Roza

# 776 - Husbands permissn

Receive Qul Updates

Ask Qul - QA

Question : #100

Category: Shia Sunni Dialogue

Subject:	Praying open hands to close hands
Question:	Did the Prophet Muhammad pray open or close hands, and when did this division take place?
Answer:	The Prophet (s) prayed with his hands open. I do not know the exact instance that this division took place, although it is commonly known that it took place during the reign of the second caliph.

Follow Up
Question:

I recently had a short discussion about this with a Sunni sister and she said that they do that as a sign of respect, as when someone who was approaching Prophet Muhammad (saw) did before him. My questions are; is it respectful? is it obligatory or optional? And finally where and why did this tradition arise? Thank you!