Facing the palms towards the qiblah when commencing salaah

Q:

1. When starting salah, do your hands have to be facing qiblah?

2. Will salah be valid if you start salah with your hands facing inward towards your head? One time my imam for salatul jumuah started salah and I think his hands were facing inward. What should I do in such a situation if my jumuah is invalid and I am going to have to wait for second jumuah or go catch jumuah at another masjid?

A:

1. It is mustahab for the palms to be facing the qiblah.

2. It is valid, but against the sunnat

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)