Question: Shaykh may Allah grant you success, please tell us what the Islamic ruling on raising the hands in Ramadaan at the end of Tarawih prayer when they make Dua, is such prescribed Shaykh? Also please tell us Shaykh the authenticity of the Hadith which mentions and encourages raising the hands at the end the Tarawih prayer.

Answer: Regarding your question about raising the hands at the end the Tarawih prayer in Ramadaan then my reply is, doing so is a Bida (innovation) indeed doing so is a Bida (innovation) indeed doing so is a Bida (innovation)!

What the Prophet taught Al’Hasan was the following well known Dua without the hands being mentioned being raised, the Dua is:

“O Allah, guide me with those whom You have guided, and strengthen me with those You have given strength. Take me to Your care with those whom You have taken to Your care. Bless me in what You have given me.

Protect me from the evil You have ordained. Surely, You command and You are not commanded, and none whom You have committed to Your care shall be humiliated [and none whom You have taken as an enemy shall taste glory]. You are blessed, Our Lord and Exalted. Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah, An’Nasaa’ee,  At’Tirmidi, Ad’Daarimi, Al’Haakim and Al’Bayhaqi  also Shaykh Al’Albaani authenticated it see Sahih At’Tirmidi  1/144, Sahih Ibn Maajah  1/194 and Irwa  2/175

Brothers, as for what we see being done in Mekka in the Masjid ul Haraam in Tarawih prayers, overly long Dua at the end of the pray, then this not lawful or permitted, the best guidance is the guidance of the Prophet…

As for the Hadith regarding raising the hands in Tarawih then its chain is weak due to Abdula Ibn Naafi Ibn Abi Al’Umyaa’a, also in the Musnad of Ahmed there is a Hadith by way of Anas and its origin in Al’Bukhaari and Muslim but in Al’Bukhaari and Muslim it does not mention raising the hands, in summary, raising the hands in Ramadaan in Dua in congregation is not lawful or permitted and only grants success.