Al-Raghbah (Fondness), al-Rahbah (Anxiety), al-Tadarru’ (Imploration), al-Tabattul (Sincerity), al-‘Ibtihal (Appealing), al-Isti’adha (Begging for refuge), al-Mas’alah (Requesting)

“ Al-Raghbah means keeping the palms of your hands toward the sky. Al-Rahbah means keeping the back of your hands toward the sky. The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘glorify the name of your Lord, with due sincerity (al- Tabattul), ’ (73:8) ‘refers to hand gestures made in prayer with one finger. Al-Tadarru’ is pointing and gesturing with two fingers, ‘Ibtihal is raising both hands and stretching them up high when one’s eyes tear up. It then is the time you should pray.’”

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . but they did not ‘Istakanu (submit themselves to their Lord,) nor did they make themselves humble ( yatadarra’un ).’ (23:76) The Imam said, ’’Al-Tstikana, means humility and al- tadarru’ means raising both hands and begging for help from (Allah) with both hands.’”

“Once al-Raghbah (fondness) was mentioned before Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he raised his hands to the sky with his palms upward. He then turned the back of his hands upward to the sky and said, “This way is al-Rahbah (expressing anxiety). He moved his fingers right and left and said that such is al-Tadarru’ . He then raised his fingers and then lower them saying that such is al-Tabattul. He then stretched his hands in front of his face toward the Ka’bah saying that such is al-‘Ibtihal only when tears flow.’”

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man passed by when I was praying in my prayer with my left hand raised. The man said, ‘O ‘Abd Allah, (servant of Allah) pray with your right hand raised.’ I then said, ‘O servant of Allah, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High’s rights apply to this hand just as they do to that hand. ’ ‘‘The Imam said, al-Raghbah is raising your hands with palms upward, al-Rahbah is stretching your hands with their backs upward, al-Tadarru’ is moving the index finger of your right hand right and left, al-Tabattul is moving the index finger of your left hand, raise it up and bring it down, al-‘Ibtihal is stretching your hands and arms to the sky and it is only when you see reasons for weeping.”

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about prayer and raising hands. The Imam said, ‘It is in four ways: in al-Ta’awwuz (seeking refuge) turn the palms of your hands toward the Ka’bah and in prayer for sustenance stretch your hands with their palms upward to the sky. Al- Tabattul is gesturing with index finger. Al-Tbtihal is to raise both hands over your head with prayer and imploration. Moving your index finger before your face is in prayer when one is fearful.’”

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . but they did not ‘Istakanu (submit themselves to their Lord,) nor did they make themselves humble ( yatadarra’unY (23:76) the Imam said, ‘al-Tstikana, means humility and al-tadarru’ means raising both hands and begging for help from (Allah) with both hands.’”

“Zurara has said, ‘Once we asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) how to plead before Allah for help?’ The Imam said, ‘Stretch your palms.’ We then asked, ‘How is seeking refuge?’ The Imam said, ‘Turn your palm to Ka’aba, and al-Tabattul is making gestures with your finger. Al-Tadarru ’ is the moving of fingers and al-‘Ibtihal is the stretching out of both hands.’”