Wiping One's Face With the Hands After Du'aa: A Case Study

Years ago I was told by some pseudo-Salafis that it was a bida’ah to wipe one’s face with hands after du’aa. For years I wondered, looked over, and pondered this issue. On Islam-qa’s website, they state regarding this act:

لا يشرع وضع اليدين على الوجه لا بعد الانتهاء من الصلاة ، ولا بعد الانتهاء من الدعاء ، وخير الهدي هدي نبينا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ، وكان إذا سلَّم استغفر ثلاثاً ، ولم يمسح وجهه بيديه لا بعد السلام ولا بعد الدعاء .

Their translation: “It is not prescribed to place the hands over the face after finishing prayer or after finishing du’aa’. The best of guidance is the guidance of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). When he said the salaam (at the end of prayer) he would pray for forgiveness three times, but he did not wipe his face with his hands after saying the salaam or after saying du’aa’.”

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