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

Pearl of Wisdom

'The person to experience the greatest punishment will be the man who recompenses good done unto him with evil.'

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib [as]

Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3217

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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!