Hadithcore
Sunan Abi Dawud, 1489
sahih· Al-Albani

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:

Ikrimah quoted Ibn Abbas as saying: When asking for something you should raise your hands opposite to your shoulders; when asking for forgiveness you should point with one finger; and when making an earnest supplication you should spread out both your hands.

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ خَالِدٍ - حَدَّثَنِي الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدِ بْنِ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ الْمَسْأَلَةُ أَنْ تَرْفَعَ، يَدَيْكَ حَذْوَ مَنْكِبَيْكَ أَوْ نَحْوَهُمَا وَالاِسْتِغْفَارُ أَنْ تُشِيرَ بِأُصْبُعٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَالاِبْتِهَالُ أَنْ تَمُدَّ يَدَيْكَ جَمِيعًا ‏.‏

References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 8, Hadith 74
English Reference
Book 8, Hadith 1484
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
`Abdullah ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was a knowledgeable scholar and jurist, widely recognized for his deep understanding. He was granted the Prophet’s supplication (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for insight in jurisprudence and interpretation. He dedicated himself to teaching the people their religion, clarifying difficult matters, and interpreting complex issues.In this Hadith, the noble Companion `Abdullah ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) says: "Supplication (Mas’alah) is to raise your hands to the level of your shoulders or thereabouts." The term "shoulders" refers to the height of the shoulder joints, where the upper arm (humerus) meets the shoulder blade “Or thereabouts” indicates that the exact height may vary slightly. The point being made by Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) is to explain the manner in which one should supplicate, demonstrating humility and sincerity by raising the hands in supplication. He continues: " Istighfar” that is seeking forgiveness from Allah, “is to point with a single finger," referring to the index finger during supplication. “Ibtihal,” which refers to pleading earnestly and humbly before Allah, whether seeking relief from hardship or the servant asking for a particular need from Allah, it is described as: "to extend both hands fully," raising them high to the extent that the whiteness of the underarms may be seen.The purpose of this explanation from Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) is to teach people the proper etiquette of supplication and the refined conduct expected when asking Allah. True humility and desperation in prayer increase the chances of one's supplication being accepted.This Hadith also illustrates the virtue of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), his deep insight into religious matters, and his excellence in educating others. It also emphasizes that genuine humility and desperation in supplication increase the likelihood of it being answered..
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