The Shaykh's clarification of the issue of acting upon parts of a general ruling based on generalities for which no practice has been established from the Wise Lawgiver, including the glorification of Allah with the hands.

The Shaykh : Then there is something that must be mentioned on this occasion: Do you believe that it is not permissible in the Shari'ah to act upon generalities for which no part of the practice has been established, and that this is the root of the religious innovations in which many innovators, both past and present, have been excessive? Or is it permissible to act upon the generality, meaning: to act upon a part of it, even if we do not know that the practice of the Salaf was upon it?!
I do not know if this statement is clear to you—may Allah will it—and does not need clarification?

The questioner : I understood its general meaning.

The Shaykh : Good, so what is your answer?

The questioner : It is undoubtedly the case that the second opinion is the safer one, or it is the obligatory one.

The Shaykh : What has taken us out of this rule in our issue, when we do not know that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used his hands to count the glorification of Allah? We do not know this about him or about any other of the Salaf. So holding fast to his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) to the women: is from the category you mentioned and you were correct in: "that one does not act upon generalities as long as the practice of the Salaf has not been upon that". Moreover, it contradicts the remembrance of Allah and the etiquette with the remembrance of Allah.
I say on this occasion: A hand that is used for counting, for cleaning oneself after relieving oneself, and for wiping oneself after relieving oneself—glorifying Allah is more sacred and higher than to be counted with that hand. So it is designated for things that are not respected. If we leave this rational argument and return to the previous rule, it is sufficient for us to say: Acting upon the hadith of Ibn 'Umar, according to the narration of Abu Dawud, is what is implied by his saying (may Allah be pleased with him): If we return to the addition, we are assured that this is the principle, and this is the Sunnah.