Short answer
Because the Hanafi school relies on reports that the Prophet ﷺ, in his later practice, raised his hands only at the opening takbir. Ibn Mas'ud prayed to show the Prophet's ﷺ prayer and raised his hands only the first time. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools raise them before and after ruku as well, following Ibn Umar's report. Both ways are valid.
Raising the hands is sunnah only with the opening takbir (and with the takbir of qunoot and the Eid takbirs). Raising them when going into and rising from ruku is not part of the Hanafi sunnah, but a prayer with it is valid.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Raise the hands at the opening takbir, when going into ruku, when rising from it, and when standing from the first tashahhud.
- Hanbali
- Raise the hands at the opening takbir, before ruku and after rising from it.
Explanation
This is one of the best known differences between the schools, and it is a difference within the Sunnah, not between Sunnah and innovation. The Maliki school's well-known view agrees with the Hanafi one.
The Hanafi evidence: Alqamah reported that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said, "Shall I not pray for you the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" He prayed and raised his hands only the first time. Al-Tirmidhi graded this hadith hasan and said many of the Companions and Followers held this view, as did the scholars of Kufa. Ibn Mas'ud was among the closest Companions, constantly with the Prophet ﷺ. Hanafi scholars also argue that the prayer moved from more movement towards stillness over time, and that the reports of raising the hands reflect earlier practice.
The other evidence: Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands to his shoulders when he began the prayer, when he said the takbir for ruku and when he rose from it. This is in Sahih al-Bukhari, and the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools follow it.
- Both practices are valid; the prayer of someone who raises or does not raise his hands is complete.
- Follow the school you were taught, or the one you trust.
- Do not argue in the masjid about it, and do not look down on those who pray differently.
- Praying behind an imam who raises his hands is fine; see praying behind an imam of another madhhab.
For other differences, see Hanafi vs Shafi'i and the sunnah acts of salah.
The evidence
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 257
Grading to be checked... فصلى فلم يرفع يديه إلا في أول مرة ...
"Shall I not pray for you the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? He prayed and raised his hands only the first time."
Ibn Mas'ud's demonstration, the main Hanafi evidence.
Sahih al-Bukhari 735
Sahih... كان يرفع يديه حذو منكبيه إذا افتتح الصلاة ...
"He used to raise his hands level with his shoulders when he began the prayer, when he said the takbir for ruku and when he rose from ruku."
Ibn Umar's report, followed by the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the description of the prayer. The hands are not raised except with the opening takbir, following Ibn Mas'ud.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the description of the prayer. The Shafi'i view of raising the hands at ruku and rising from it.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.