Qabd (Folding the Arms in Prayer)

Qabd refers to the practice of placing the right hand over the left on the chest, stomach, or below the navel during the standing position (qiyam) in prayer. This is the dominant practice in most Sunni schools of law, based on several narrations from the Prophet (peace be upon him).

In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is narrated that Sahl ibn Sa'd said: "People were commanded to place the right hand on the left forearm in prayer." The four Sunni schools of law differ, however, in the precise placement: the Hanafi school prefers below the navel, the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools prefer on the chest, and the Maliki school permits both but also has a tradition of irsal (arms hanging down).

Qabd is considered a sunnah act (not obligatory), and there is consensus among Sunni scholars that the prayer is valid whether one practices qabd or irsal. Imam al-Nawawi mentions in al-Majmu' that the wisdom behind qabd is to show humility and submission before Allah.