What is the position of the hands during rising from bowing and during the tashahhud?

The questioner : You are asking about the position of the hands in the description of prayer during rising from bowing and during the tashahhud. Please advise us, and may Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : It appears the questioner is asking about rising from ruku'. The Sunnah regarding the placement of the hands after standing up from ruku' is the same as the Sunnah for their placement before ruku'. That is, it is recommended (sunnah) for a person to place his right hand over his left hand in prayer. The evidence for this is the hadith of Sahl ibn Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: This hadith is general, but the state of ruku' is excluded from it, for in ruku' the hands are placed on the knees. The state of sujud is also excluded, for in sujud the hands are placed on the ground. The state of sitting is also excluded, for in sitting the hands are placed on the thighs. As for the tashahhud, the right hand is placed on the right thigh and the left hand on the left thigh. The right hand is clenched with the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger, and the thumb is brought to them, while the index finger remains open and not closed, and it is moved whenever he makes a supplication. As for the left hand, it is spread out on the left thigh, and if he wishes, he may place it on his knee, for this is from the Sunnah.

The questioner : May Allah bless you.