Fiqhi Ruling on Tashbīk (Interlocking Fingers) with Evidences
Source: Fatāwā Amonpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amonpuri
Question:
What is the ruling regarding tashbīk (interlocking the fingers)?
Answer:
Tashbīk means inserting the fingers of one hand into those of the other. It is considered makrūh tanzīhī (disliked but not sinful). The narrations prohibiting it are understood to indicate karāhah tanzīhiyyah.
However, it is also authentically established that the Prophet ﷺ himself performed tashbīk in the mosque.
The statement of Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما likely refers to doing tashbīk throughout the prayer, which is indeed improper, since a Muslim is required to fold his hands during qiyām, not to interlock them. That resembles the actions of misguided nations.
Thus, it is not that Ibn ʿUmar absolutely forbade tashbīk, as it is authentically established from him that he sometimes did it during prayer.
The preferable practice is to avoid tashbīk in the mosque and during prayer.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
Source: Fatāwā Amonpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amonpuri
Question:
What is the ruling regarding tashbīk (interlocking the fingers)?
Answer:
Tashbīk means inserting the fingers of one hand into those of the other. It is considered makrūh tanzīhī (disliked but not sinful). The narrations prohibiting it are understood to indicate karāhah tanzīhiyyah.
- Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
إذا توضأ أحدكم فى بيته فأتى المسجد كان فى صلاة حتى يرجع فلا يقل هكذا، وشبك بين أصابعه.
“When one of you performs ablution at home and then goes to the mosque, he remains in a state of prayer until he returns, so he should not do this,” and the Prophet ﷺ interlocked his fingers.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah 439, with a ṣaḥīḥ chain)
However, it is also authentically established that the Prophet ﷺ himself performed tashbīk in the mosque.
- Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:
شبك بين أصابعه.
“The Prophet ﷺ interlocked his fingers (in the mosque).”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 482, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 573) - Nāfiʿ رحمه الله said:
رأيت ابن عمر يشبك بين أصابعه فى الصلاة.
“I saw ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما interlock his fingers during prayer.”
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah 4829 – ḥasan chain) - Ismāʿīl ibn Umayyah رحمه الله said:
رأيت سالم بن عبد الله يشبك بين أصابعه فى الصلاة.
“I saw Sālim ibn ʿAbdullāh interlock his fingers during prayer.”
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah 4831 – ṣaḥīḥ chain) - It is also narrated:
سألت نافعا، عن الرجل يصلي، وهو مشبك يديه، قال: قال ابن عمر: تلك صلاة المغضوب عليهم.
“I asked Nāfiʿ about a man who prays while interlocking his fingers. He said that Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما said: ‘That is the prayer of those who have incurred Allah’s wrath.’”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd 993 – ṣaḥīḥ chain)
Clarification
The statement of Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما likely refers to doing tashbīk throughout the prayer, which is indeed improper, since a Muslim is required to fold his hands during qiyām, not to interlock them. That resembles the actions of misguided nations.
Thus, it is not that Ibn ʿUmar absolutely forbade tashbīk, as it is authentically established from him that he sometimes did it during prayer.
Conclusion
The preferable practice is to avoid tashbīk in the mosque and during prayer.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
