Is it true that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed with his hands clasped and with them hanging down, and what is the ruling on praying with the hands hanging down? May Allah reward you with good.

Question:
He asks and says: Is it true that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed with his hands clasped and with them hanging down, and what is the ruling on praying with the hands hanging down? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
What is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic hadiths is that he would clasp his left wrist with his right hand and place them on his chest (peace and blessings be upon him) in prayer. This is the most authentic of what was narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him). As for the other manner, I do not know of anything regarding it, and I am not aware that it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). What is established and transmitted by those who witnessed the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), such as Wa'il ibn Hujr and others, is that he would clasp his left hand with his right hand and place them on his chest (peace and blessings be upon him).
As for the other manner, it is contrary to the first: clasping the hands on the chest and placing them on the chest is a recommended practice (sunnah) among the practical, physical sunnahs of prayer. If one prays with his hands hanging down, his prayer is valid, but he has missed a virtue among the virtues of prayer. Yes. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.