750 - Yahya ibn 'Uthman narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Kathir narrated to us, saying: Al-Awza'i was asked about a woman; does she raise her hands at the opening of the prayer just as a man raises his? He said: "Yes." I said: To where does she raise them? He said: "Like this"; and he extended his fingertips beyond his shoulders.

751 - Mahmud ibn Khalid narrated to us, saying: 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-Wahid narrated to us, saying: Al-Awza'i was asked about a woman; does she raise her hands during the Takbir in prayer? And where should she place them at the time of bowing? And does she strike her right hand upon her left? He said: "Raising the hands at the time of the Takbir, and placing the hands at the time of bowing, is Sunnah. Whoever wishes may place his right hand upon his left during his Qunut, and whoever wishes may leave it."

752 - Muhammad ibn Yahya narrated to us, saying: Yahya ibn Maymun narrated to us, saying: 'Asim al-Ahwal narrated to us, saying: "I saw Hafsah bint Sirin praying, and when she bowed she raised her hands to her breasts."

753 - Muhammad ibn Isma'il narrated to us, saying: Khalid ibn Hayyan narrated to us, saying: 'Isa ibn Kathir narrated to us, saying: I asked Hammad about a woman when she begins the prayer? He said: "She raises her hands to her breasts."

Chapter: The Opening Takbir

• I heard Ishaq ibn Ibrahim saying: "When you begin the prayer, say: 'Allahu Akbar,' and raise your hands level with your shoulders, and do not begin with anything else. Whoever says 'Allahu Ajall' or 'Allahu A'zam' has erred, as that suffices him; such is what the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y) innovated. As for what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: 'The sanctity (tahrim) of prayer is the Takbir,' that is sufficient."