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Fatwa CenterMaaliki position on raising hands in prayer and saying Aameen aloud
Question
What is the position of the Maaliki School of Thought regarding raising the hands in the prayer and saying 'Aameen' (amen) out loud?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
According to the Maaliki Mathhab (school of thought), it is desirable to raise the hands when saying Takbeeratul-Ihraam (saying Allaahu Akbar when starting the prayer).
Sharh Al-Kharashi ‘ala Sharh Mukhtasar Khaleel Al-Maaliki reads, “It is desirable for the praying person to raise their hands, when saying the Takbeeratul-Ihraam, to the level of their ear-lobes, with their fingers towards the sky.”
The most famous narration according to Imaam Maalik is that raising the hands is only permissible when saying Takbeeratul-Ihraam, and it was also narrated from him that it is legitimate to raise the hands when bowing for Rukoo’ (bowing in prayer) and when rising from it.
Taaj Al-Ikleel, authored by Al-Mawwaaq, reads, “There are different opinions about Imaam Maalik regarding the raising of the hands; for instance it was narrated from him, 'There is no raising of the hands except when starting the prayer;' this is the most famous narration. It was also narrated from him that he said, 'Raising the hands when starting the prayer, when going down for Rukoo’ and when rising up from Rukoo’.' This narration is well known from Maalik, and many of his companions acted according to it.” For more benefit, please refer to fatwa087198.
However, if the asker, by 'raising the hands', means putting the right hand on the left hand in prayer instead of leaving the arms hanging on the sides, then please refer to fatwa 86369.
According to the Maaliki Mathhab, it is desirable to say 'Aameen' silently for each praying person regardless of whether they be an imaam, a person led in prayer, or a person praying individually; however, saying Aameen aloud does not invalidate the prayer. Minah Al-Jaleel, authored by Muhammad ‘Ulaysh, reads, “It is desirable for the person praying individually, as well as the imaam and the person led in prayer, to say Aameen silently because it is a supplication, and it is desirable that supplications be said silently.”
Allaah knows best.
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