The Reality of 2 Post-Wudu Actions – In Light of Authentic Ahadith 
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, Page 390❖ Question:
Are the acts of raising the finger and looking toward the sky after Wudu considered recommended (mustahabb)?
Is there any authentic Hadith supporting these actions?
1. Reciting the Shahādah (Testimony of Faith) After Wudu
The following supplication is authentically proven from Sahih Ahadith to be recited after Wudu:
“أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ”
Virtue:As recorded in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs Wudu and then recites this du‘ā’, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes.”
Sahih Muslim✔ Ruling: Reciting this is Sunnah and carries immense reward.
2. Raising the Finger After Wudu
There is no authentic Hadith reported in any major Hadith collection that supports the act of raising the index finger after Wudu.✖ It is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ
✖ It is not a known practice of the Sahabah
✖ It is considered a non-legislated (ghayr mashrū‘) action
3. Looking Toward the Sky After Wudu
This action is mentioned in some secondary Hadith sources, such as:
- Sunan Abu Dawood
- Musnad Ahmad (Vol. 4, pp. 150–151)
- ‘Amal al-Yawm wa al-Laylah by Ibn al-Sunnī (p. 29)
- al-Dārimī (Vol. 1, p. 182)
- Zād al-Ma‘ād by Ibn al-Qayyim (Vol. 2, p. 21)
However:
The narration is weak or munkar (rejected) due to an unreliable transmitter.
In al-Ḥāwī (p. 42), the chain includes Abū ‘Aqīl's cousin, who is majhūl (unknown), making the narration invalid as evidence.
Summary of Rulings:
| Action | Shar‘i Ruling | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Reciting the Shahādah | Sunnah | Sahih Muslim – 8 doors of Jannah |
| Raising the Finger After Wudu | Not established | No Hadith proves this |
| ⚠ Looking Toward the Sky | Weak/munkar narrations | Not supported by sound chains |
Conclusion:
◈ Saying the Shahādah after Wudu is authentic and rewardable
◈ Raising the finger is not Sunnah and has no basis in Hadith
◈ Looking at the sky is based on weak narrations, so should be avoided
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
