Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saw Hazrat Sa’d supplicating in prayer with two fingers, so he said, “O Sa’d! Supplicate with one finger, supplicate with one finger.”

Hazrat Ibn Sirin narrates that Hazrat Abu Hurairah saw a man supplicating with both his index fingers raised, so he said: Supplicate with one finger, and with the right finger.

Hazrat Saeed bin Abdur Rahman bin Abzi narrates that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would sit in prayer, he would place his hand on his thigh and gesture with his finger during supplication.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) says that supplicating with the finger is sincerity.

Hazrat Sulaiman bin Abi Yahya says that the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to point with their finger during supplication.

Hazrat Mujahid says that pointing with a finger during supplication is like striking the devil with a whip.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that Allah Almighty likes that supplication be made in this manner. Saying this, she indicated with one finger.

Hazrat Kathir bin Falah says that I performed prayer and raised both fingers of testimony in the final sitting. Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) held my left finger.

Hazrat Ata states that Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to gesture for supplication with his finger during prayer.

Hazrat Talha narrates that Hazrat Khaythama used to count up to fifty-three on his fingers and used to gesture towards the ground with his finger while making supplication.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin says that when the predecessors saw someone gesturing with two fingers during prayer, they would strike one finger and say, "The deity is only one."

Ibrahim says that if a person gestures with one finger during his prayer, it is good and an expression of monotheism. However, he should not gesture with two fingers; this is disliked.

Hazrat Hisham bin Urwah narrates that his father used to point with his finger during supplication and did not move it.

Hazrat Ma'bad bin Khalid says that Hazrat Qais bin Sa'd did not do more than this. Saying this, he pointed with one finger.

Hazrat Nameer Khuzai states that I saw the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sitting in prayer; he had placed his right hand on his thigh and was gesturing with his finger.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Salih that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saw Hazrat Sa’d supplicating with two fingers during prayer, so he said, “O Sa’d! Supplicate with one finger, supplicate with one finger.”

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubair narrates that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would sit in the Qa'dah, he would place his right hand on his right thigh and supplicate, and place his left hand on his left thigh. He would gesture with his index finger and place his thumb on his middle finger, and would keep his left palm resting on his knee.

Hazrat Wa'il bin Hujr says that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) placed the edge of his right elbow on his right thigh, then made a circle with his thumb and middle finger, and then raised the finger next to the thumb and supplicated.

Hazrat Abu Barzah narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) raised his hands while invoking a curse upon two men.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Samurah narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) raised his hands in supplication.