Title: Position of Hands during Sala'h Question: Why is it that some people hold their hands on the chest during prayer and some below the chest? Is there any hadiths supporting these positions? If not, then is it bid`ah to hold hands in a position that doesn't have a supporting hadith . Similarly some people say takbir when they go to ruku` and sujood and some people don't. Again are there any hadiths supporting both the ways. Jazakaallah . A. A. Wadood Ahsan Answer: A person should stand during Sala'h in a posture, which is indicative of his submission, respect and reverence toward the Lord and the King of the whole universe. While attending the courts of human kings, man has traditionally showed such submission, respect and reverence by folding his arms in front of him [1] . Because of the real spirit entailed in this stance, it is quite understandable that the Prophet (pbuh) did not specify the precise position where a person should place his hands during his stance in the prayers, as such a specification would invariably have diverted man's attention from the actual spirit of his posture to the exact and precise positioning of his hands. It is primarily because of this lack of precise specification of the position of one's hand that some differences exist among the Muslims. In my opinion, these differences are of absolutely no significance, as in the absence of a specification by the Prophet (pbuh), such differences should all be considered as falling within the allowable limits. I am not aware of any group which does not recite the Takbeer , while going into the Sajdah and the Ruku` and also at rising from the Sajdah . I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad October 3, 2001