Releasing the Hands in Janaazah Salaah: Before or After Salaam?

Before addressing the main question, a brief but essential explanation must be noted: The general principle regarding when to fold the hands during the Salaah is as follows: In any standing position (Qiyaam) that involves composure and stability (Qaraar), and includes a prescribed Dhikr (remembrance or supplication), it is Sunnah to fold the hands, such as during Thanaa or Duaa-e-Qunoot. However, if the standing position contains no prescribed Dhikr, then it is Sunnah to leave the hands hanging by the sides rather than keeping them folded.

Now to the main question: In the Janaazah Salaah, after each of the first three Takbeers, there is both a prescribed Dhikr and a pause, so it is Sunnah to keep the hands folded during those parts. Page | 1

However, after the fourth Takbeer, there is neither any prescribed Dhikr nor a pause; rather, it is the time to exit the Salaah, and in Salaah, Shariah has not prescribed folding the hands at the time of exiting. Therefore, in the Janaazah Salaah, the Sunnah and the correct method is to release the hands after the fourth Takbeer and then say the Salaam. It is not Sunnah to keep the hands folded while saying the Salaam, nor to drop only the right hand when turning to the right and the left hand when turning left. These practices are contrary to the Sunnah.

While explaining the principles regarding the folding and unfolding of the hands during Salaah, Hazrat Allama Burhaanuddin Marghinaani Alaihir Rahma writes:

Translation: “The principle is that in every standing position which includes prescribed Dhikr, the hands should be folded, and in every standing position which does not, the hands should not be folded. This is the correct view.” (Al Hidaayah, Chapter of Salaah, Volume 1, page 51/Darul Kutbul Ilmiyah, Beirut)

Concerning the act of releasing the hands in offering Salaam after the fourth Takbeer in the Janaazah Salaah, Imam e Ahle Sunnat, Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Alaihir Rahma writes in Fataawa Razviyyah Shareef with the reference of Durr e Mukhtaar: “Folding the hands is Sunnah during that standing postion which involves composure and stability (Qaraar), and Salaam is the time to exit the Salaah, for which there is no reason to keep the hands folded. Thus, the apparent and correct practice is to release the hands after the Fourth Takbeer.” (Fataawa Razviyyah Shareef, Volume 9 Page 194/Raza Foundation, Lahore) Page | 2

He further writes on the same page: “It is evident that after the fourth Takbeer, there is neither a composed and stable standing postion nor any prescribed Dhikr, therefore there is no reason to keep the hands folded. After the fourth Takbeer, it is the time to exit the Salaah, and for that, folding the hands is not prescribed in any school of thought.”

It is also stated in Bahaar-e-Shariat: “After the fourth Takbeer, without reciting any duaa, one should release the hands and then say the Salaam.” (Bahaar-e-Shariat, Part 4, Page 154/ Qadri Kitaab Ghar, Bareilly Shareef)

In Summary, after the fourth Takbeer in Janaazah Salaah, the hands should be released before offering the Salaam. This is the Sunnah and the correct method with sound jurisprudential principles.