All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
We have already issued Fataawa 87198 and 86962 clarifying that it is confirmed that the Prophet used to raise both hands on starting the prayers, (first Takbeer) on bowing and also when standing up from bowing. It is also confirmed that the Prophet used to raise his hands when he stands up from the second Rak'ah [to the third Rak'ah], as reported by Al-Bukhari . This is a confirmed act from the Prophet and it is desirable for a Muslim to do this as a way of following the example of the Prophet .
As regards raising hands in places other than where we mentioned, then some scholars are of the view that a praying person should not raise his hands when prostrating and when raising from the prostration. However, other scholars are of the view that it is permissible for a praying person to raise his hands in places other than where we mentioned above; their evidence is that 'Umayr Ibn Habeeb said: "The Prophet used to raise his hands every time he says Allaahu Akbar during the prayer." [Ibn Maajah] Moreover, a group of scholars from the Salaf (i.e. righteous predecessors) adopt this opinion.