Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would stand for prayer, he would raise both hands; when his hands reached the level of his shoulders, he would say Allahu Akbar. Then, when he was about to go into bowing (ruku‘), he would raise them, and when they reached the level of his shoulders, he would say Allahu Akbar in that state. After bowing, when he would begin to raise his back, he would raise his hands to the level of his shoulders, then say «سمع الله لمن حمده» , then perform prostration (sajdah), but in prostrations, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not raise his hands. He would raise his hands at every takbeer before every rak‘ah and bowing, until his prayer was completed.