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Why do we observe silent prayer with our hands raised to our face?

The Holy Prophet sas would sometimes raise his hands for prayer, and we follow that example. For example:

While the Prophet sas was delivering the khutbah [sermon] on a Friday, a man stood up and said, “O, Allah’s Apostle! The livestock and the sheep are dying, so pray to Allah for rain.” So he sas raised both his hands and invoked Allah (for it).

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 11, Hadith 56)

A companion narrates:

I told the Prophet sas about our and Abū Amir’s news and how he had said, “Tell him to ask for Allah’s Forgiveness for me.” The Prophet sas asked for water, performed ablution and then raised his hands, saying, “O Allah’s Forgive Ubaid, Abu Amir.” At that time I saw the whiteness of the Prophet’s sas armpits. 

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 64, Hadith 353).

Another companion narrates:

When we reached the Prophet sas, we mentioned to him the whole story. On that, the Prophet sas raised both his hands and said twice, “O Allah! I am free from what Khalid has done.” 

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 64, Hadith 368)
Updated on December 18, 2018
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