Is it permissible to rely on one's hands when rising from prostration to stand?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
In both views (sitting or not sitting for rest), one rises to the standing position on the balls of the feet, relying on the knees, and must not rely on the hands according to the established view of Ahmad and others. This is supported by the narration of Wa'il ibn Hujr, who saw the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, place his knees before his hands when prostrating, and rise with his hands before his knees. Another narration states he rose onto his knees, relying on his thighs. Furthermore, Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade relying on the hands when rising in prayer, and Ali stated that it is from the Sunnah in obligatory prayers in the first two rak'ahs not to rely on the hands unless one is an old sheikh unable to do otherwise. Ahmad affirmed that tradition supports this, and the Prophet was observed rising on the balls of his feet.
Supporting text
Malik and Ash-Shafi'i hold that it is Sunnah to lean on the hands when rising, based on Malik ibn Al-Huwayrith's narration that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sat upright and then relied on the ground. This is also considered more helpful to the worshipper. The narration permitting reliance on hands is interpreted as applicable only when rising is difficult due to old age, weakness, illness, or corpulence, as indicated by Ali's statement and the hadith suggesting the Prophet's reliance was due to his increasing body mass and inability to stand easily without aid.