09-12-2008, 08:05 PM
Bismillah
as salam alaykom Infoseeker,
Welcome back and Ramadan Mubarak, according to the Egyptian Fatwa agency (I didnt find it in English so Insh aAllah I will translate the reply:
According to Sunnah, one who is performing Salat must place his/her right hand over the left during the stand up position that precedes Ruku`u (bowing) or when standing up during Salatu Janazah. The basis for this practice is hadeeth narrated under the authority of Suhail Bin Sa`ad may Allah Be Pleased with him who said: "People used to command for the man to place his right hand over his left arm during Salat" (reported by Bukhari). This is part of positioning Sunan. However, is it better to place both hands under the chest and above naval according to the consensus of scholars, or under the naval according to the Hanafi opinion, or over the chest according to what is communicated after a number of Salaf? In this regard, scholrs differed regarding what is best and not regarding what is permissible. Because this issue is part of the positions. Thus, Ibn Al Mundhir may Allah bestow mercy on his soul said: "It was not proven after the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him anything in particular in this issue, therefore one has the choice to follow any of the above mentioned. Similar issues should not be in any way a reason for differing and Fitnah among Muslims.
Reply dated 19/11/2004
http://www.dar-alifta.org/ViewFatwa.aspx?ID=4299