❖ Interlocking Fingers (Tashbīk) After Wudu and Inside the Mosque is Prohibited ❖
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا كان أحدكم في المسجد فلا يشبكن، فإن التشبيك من الشيطان
“When one of you is in the mosque, he should not interlock his fingers, for interlocking is from Shayṭān.”
[Ḥasan: Al-Majma‘: 2/25; Aḥmad: 3/43 — Al-Haythamī stated in Majma‘ al-Zawā’id that its chain is ḥasan]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا توضأ أحدكم ثم خرج عامدًا إلى المسجد فلا يشبكن بين يديه فإنه في الصلاة
“When one of you performs wudu and then deliberately proceeds towards the mosque, he should not interlock his fingers, for indeed, he is (considered to be) in prayer.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 526; Kitāb al-Ṣalāh: Bāb mā jā’a fī al-Hudā fī al-Mashī ilā al-Ṣalāh; Abū Dāwūd: 562; Aḥmad: 4/241; Ibn Khuzaymah: 441; Tirmidhī: 386]
❖ Tashbīk, which refers to interlocking the fingers of both hands together, has been prohibited in the following circumstances:
✔ While inside the mosque, regardless of whether one is waiting for the prayer or otherwise.
✔ After performing wudu and on the way to the mosque for prayer.
✔ The reason given is that such a gesture is associated with Shayṭān, and it disrupts the spiritual presence and humility required in the state of preparing for or engaging in prayer.
✔ Moreover, a person heading to the mosque after wudu is regarded as being in the state of prayer, and thus, should maintain appropriate conduct.
✔ Interlocking fingers (tashbīk) after wudu and inside the mosque is prohibited, based on authentic narrations.
✔ Such actions diminish the spiritual discipline expected of a worshipper preparing to meet his Lord in Salah.
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
✦ Prohibition of Tashbīk (Interlocking Fingers) in the Mosque and After Wudu for Salah
➊ Hadith of Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudrī (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا كان أحدكم في المسجد فلا يشبكن، فإن التشبيك من الشيطان
“When one of you is in the mosque, he should not interlock his fingers, for interlocking is from Shayṭān.”
[Ḥasan: Al-Majma‘: 2/25; Aḥmad: 3/43 — Al-Haythamī stated in Majma‘ al-Zawā’id that its chain is ḥasan]➋ Hadith of Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا توضأ أحدكم ثم خرج عامدًا إلى المسجد فلا يشبكن بين يديه فإنه في الصلاة
“When one of you performs wudu and then deliberately proceeds towards the mosque, he should not interlock his fingers, for indeed, he is (considered to be) in prayer.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 526; Kitāb al-Ṣalāh: Bāb mā jā’a fī al-Hudā fī al-Mashī ilā al-Ṣalāh; Abū Dāwūd: 562; Aḥmad: 4/241; Ibn Khuzaymah: 441; Tirmidhī: 386]✦ Explanation
❖ Tashbīk, which refers to interlocking the fingers of both hands together, has been prohibited in the following circumstances:
✔ While inside the mosque, regardless of whether one is waiting for the prayer or otherwise.
✔ After performing wudu and on the way to the mosque for prayer.
✔ The reason given is that such a gesture is associated with Shayṭān, and it disrupts the spiritual presence and humility required in the state of preparing for or engaging in prayer.
✔ Moreover, a person heading to the mosque after wudu is regarded as being in the state of prayer, and thus, should maintain appropriate conduct.
✦ Conclusion
✔ Interlocking fingers (tashbīk) after wudu and inside the mosque is prohibited, based on authentic narrations.
✔ Such actions diminish the spiritual discipline expected of a worshipper preparing to meet his Lord in Salah.
