Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Pointing with the index finger during Tashahhud: During the entire Tashahhud, whether it is the first or the second, pointing with the index finger should be continued, as Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar radi Allahu anhu narrates: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sat for Tashahhud, he would place his left hand on his left knee and his right hand on his right knee, and he would form a fifty-three (53) with his right hand and point with the index finger (and in another narration: he would supplicate with it).” (Sahih Muslim: 580) When the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would sit for Tashahhud, he would place his left hand on his left knee and his right hand on his right knee, and by making the knot of fifty-three with his right hand, he would point with the index finger and supplicate with it.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Zubair radi Allahu anhu narrates: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sat (in prayer) to recite Tashahhud, he would place his right hand on his right thigh and his left hand on his left thigh and point with his index finger…” (Sahih Muslim: 579) When the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would sit to recite Tashahhud (in prayer), he would place his right hand on his right thigh and his left hand on his left thigh and point with the index finger.

Note: From the above two ahadith, it is also established that during Tashahhud, placing the hands on the knees and placing them on the thighs—both ways are correct.

Note: Raising the finger only at the time of saying “ashhadu an la ilaha illallah” and then putting it down is not established from any authentic hadith.

Methods of pointing:
(1) Closing two fingers and making a circle with the middle finger and the thumb, and pointing with the index finger. (Abu Dawood: 957, Nasa’i: 1265, Ibn Majah: 912)
(2) Closing three fingers and placing the thumb on the middle finger, and pointing with the index finger. (Sahih Muslim: 579)
(3) Making the knot of fifty-three (i.e., closing three fingers with the part of the palm closest to them and placing the thumb under the last joint of the index finger). (Sahih Muslim: 580)

Note: Moving the finger during the pointing is correct, as is established from hadith number (1789).