Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Wa'il bin Hujr narrates that I saw the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) place the end of his right palm on his right thigh, form a circle with his thumb and middle finger, and raise his index finger while supplicating.

Hazrat Namir Al-Khuzai reports that I saw the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the state of sitting during prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had placed his right hand on his right thigh, and he was gesturing with his finger.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubair narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would sit and supplicate, he would place his right hand on his right thigh and his left hand on his left thigh. He would gesture with his index finger, while placing his thumb on the tip of the middle finger, and he would join the palm of his left hand to his knee.

Hazrat Saeed bin Abdur Rahman bin Abzi narrates that when the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would sit during prayer, he would place his hand on his thigh. And during supplication, he would gesture with his finger.

Hazrat Abu Huraira narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw Hazrat Saad supplicating with his fingers, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Do it with one, do it with one. (That is, supplicate with one finger)

Hazrat Tamimi narrates that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: That is sincerity, that is, supplicating with the finger.

Hazrat Kathir bin Al-Aflah says that I was (engaged) in prayer, and when I was in the last sitting (Qa'dah), I did like this: and Ibn 'Ulayyah pointed towards his finger. So Hazrat Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) closed it, meaning the left finger.

Hazrat Ata narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) used to gesture with his finger during prayer.

Hazrat Abu Alqamah narrates that Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Allah is One, and Allah likes that supplication be made in this manner; and she gestured with one of her fingers.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin narrates that Hazrat Abu Hurairah saw a man supplicating with both of his fingers, so he forbade him, and said: Supplicate with the finger of the right hand.

Hazrat Sulaiman bin Abi Yahya states that the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) — some of them used to do this, that is, they would gesture with their finger during supplication.

Hazrat Abdul Malik bin Umair narrates that Hazrat Ibn al-Zubair said: Surely you people make supplication. And the best supplication is in this manner, and he demonstrated by gesturing with his finger.

Hazrat Ma'bad bin Khalid narrates that Hazrat Qais bin Sa'd said: It was not done more than this, and he gestured with his finger.

Hazrat Mughira narrates that Ibrahim said: When a person points with his finger during prayer, it is a good thing, and it is (a sign of) monotheism, but he should not point with two fingers. Because this is disliked.

Hazrat Talha says that Hazrat Khaythama used to count up to fifty-three and would point with one finger.

Hazrat Usman bin Al-Aswad narrates that Hazrat Mujahid said: This is how supplication is made. And he gestured with one finger. To keep Satan under control.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin says that whenever the Companions saw a person supplicating with two fingers, they would strike one finger and say: Surely, there is only One God.

An Ansari man narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed by his grandfather while he was supplicating with two fingers, so the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Supplicate with one (finger), for He is One.