A Prophetic Gesture of Monotheism and Humility in Prayer
The Prophet ﷺ “placed his right hand on his right knee, formed the number 53 (by finger position), and pointed with the index finger.”
❖ Narrated by Ibn al-Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) in Abū Dāwūd:
“The Prophet ﷺ would point with his finger when making supplication (during Tashahhud), and he would not keep it moving continuously.”
(Abū Dāwūd 989; Aḥmad 3/4; al-Nasāʾī 3/93; Ibn Khuzaymah 718; al-Bayhaqī 2/132; Muslim 579 – This narration is Hasan.)
– Right hand should be placed on the right thigh
– Left hand on the left thigh
– The right hand should form the shape of 53, either by:
② Timing and Duration of the Gesture:
– The index finger should be raised from the beginning of Tashahhud until the end, i.e., until the Taslīm (salutation).
③ Movement of the Finger:
– Some narrations allow occasional motion, while others indicate still pointing.
– The safest practice is to point consistently, with light motion occasionally, avoiding excessive movement.
④ Finger Selection:
– Only the index finger (Shahādah finger) is used.
– If unavailable (e.g., amputated), the next adjacent finger may be used as a substitute.
⑤ Avoidance of Innovations:
– Pointing with two or more fingers is against the Sunnah and has no basis in the authentic traditions.
– It is a powerful symbol of humility, submission, and devotion to the One Lord during a sacred part of the prayer
Source:
Extracted from "Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām" by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaznfar.
✿ Narrations Establishing the Practice
❖ Narrated in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Hadith 580):The Prophet ﷺ “placed his right hand on his right knee, formed the number 53 (by finger position), and pointed with the index finger.”
❖ Narrated by Ibn al-Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) in Abū Dāwūd:
“The Prophet ﷺ would point with his finger when making supplication (during Tashahhud), and he would not keep it moving continuously.”
(Abū Dāwūd 989; Aḥmad 3/4; al-Nasāʾī 3/93; Ibn Khuzaymah 718; al-Bayhaqī 2/132; Muslim 579 – This narration is Hasan.)
✿ Key Jurisprudential Points
① Correct Positioning of Hands during Tashahhud:– Right hand should be placed on the right thigh
– Left hand on the left thigh
– The right hand should form the shape of 53, either by:
- Closing all fingers except the index finger
- Making a circle with the thumb and middle finger while raising the index finger
② Timing and Duration of the Gesture:
– The index finger should be raised from the beginning of Tashahhud until the end, i.e., until the Taslīm (salutation).
③ Movement of the Finger:
– Some narrations allow occasional motion, while others indicate still pointing.
– The safest practice is to point consistently, with light motion occasionally, avoiding excessive movement.
④ Finger Selection:
– Only the index finger (Shahādah finger) is used.
– If unavailable (e.g., amputated), the next adjacent finger may be used as a substitute.
⑤ Avoidance of Innovations:
– Pointing with two or more fingers is against the Sunnah and has no basis in the authentic traditions.
❖ Significance of the Gesture
– This pointing gesture signifies Tawḥīd (Oneness of Allah)– It is a powerful symbol of humility, submission, and devotion to the One Lord during a sacred part of the prayer
Source:
Extracted from "Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām" by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaznfar.
