Imam Ahle Sunnah Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمہ اللہ said:
"The prayer of one who prays with Rafa Yadain is more complete than that person who does not do Rafa Yadain, and whoever leaves it, turns away from the Sunnah of the Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم."
-Masail Ibn Hani: 240
Abdullah bin Ahmad رحمہ اللہ said : I asked my father:
A person who's a Hafiz does not do Rafa Yadain and the other one does it but he is not Hafiz of the Qur'an, then who sould we make our Imam to lead our prayers?
He رحمہ اللہ said:
"Whoever memorized the quran more should lead you in prayers, of course, and he also should perform Rafa Yadain as it is the Sunnah of Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم
-Masail Abdullah: 252
This issue is related to the fact that the person who does not perform Rafa Yadain has a sound and correct beliefs and deeds, moreover the locality where Rafa Yadain has not been performed by the Bidati and Grave worshippers as it is a sign of them that they do not perform Rafa Yadain then one should not make imam from one of them to lead the prayer even if he's an aalim of Quran.
Saleh ibn Ahmad رحمہ اللہ said:
I asked my father, if a person is at a place where the deniers of Rafa Yadain are accusing him of Being Shia Rawafidh then is it permissible to leave Rafa yadain there?
He رحمہ اللہ replied:
"Don't give up at all, but explain them softly and gently."
-Masail Saleh: 161
Imam Abu Dawud رحمہ اللہ narrates: I heard Imam Ahmad رحمہ اللہ when he was asked that if a person hears the hadiths of the Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم regarding Rafa Yadain even then he does not perform Rafa Yadain in Salah so is his Prayer is complete?
He رحمہ اللہ replied:
"I don't know if prayer is complete or perfect, but I think such a person is follower of his desires (Ahlul hawa).
-Masail of Abi Dawood: 235)
-See also: Al-Jami al ulum AlImam Ahmad Al-Fiqh: 6 / 94-106
Via Shaikh Hafiz Mohammad Tahir
