1)Do Hanifi women need to keep their arms slightly raised during sajda or must it remain flat on the ground? 2) As a Hanifi can I read my salat Shafi'ee way?

Hadhrat ibn Úmar (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'When a woman sits in Sajdah by putting one thigh upon the other (i.e. close to one another) and at the time of Sajdah (prostration) her stomach touches her thighs (i.e. whilst worshipping Allah) and she also takes full consideration of Hijaab, then Allah Taãla looks at her and says to the angels, 'Bear witness that I have forgiven her.' (Kanzul Ummaal p. 117)

Once Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) saw two women making Salaat, he said, 'When you (women) make Sajdah then let the limbs of your body touch one another and make them touch the ground.' Surely in this (limbs clustered one to another and touching the ground) women are not similar to men.' (Masaail Abu Dawood p. 223)

Hadhrat Wail ibn Hajar (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) said that Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) taught him to read Salaat and he said, 'O ibn Hajar! When you begin your Salaat then lift your hands up to your ears and show the women that they should lift up to their chests.' (Majmauz zawaaid; Tabraani)

Hadhrat ibn Úmar (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) was once asked on how did the women read Salaat in the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). He replied, 'First they used to read Salaat cross-legged, then they were commanded to cling to themselves,' (Jaami al-Masaanid p. 400)

As a Hanafi, you cannot follow the Shaaf'ee method of performing Salaat without a valid reason.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.