In following the direction stating: 'Let him then stand and raise his hands twice in supplication, and say': ... the believer does not have to read twice the paragraph which follows. Whether the believer raises his hands twice before the reciting of the paragraph, or commences the reciting after having raised his hands once, and raises them a second time soon thereafter, is left to his choice.
As to the direction which states: 'Let him then raise his hands thrice, and say: ... . ', an individual believer asked the beloved Guardian the following question: "... the direction to raise the hands thrice and say 'greater is God than every great one.' Does this mean after every raising of the hands, or only to be said once, after the three raisings?'
Shoghi Effendi's secretary answered on his behalf as follows:
"The hands should be raised three times and each time the sentence be repeated in conjunction with the act."
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated February 13, 1975; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)