❖ Preferred Ruling on Raising the Index Finger Between the Two Prostrations ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 382
Is there any evidence from authentic aḥādīth for raising or gesturing with the index finger (Sabbābah) between the two sajdahs during ṣalāh?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Those who allow or advocate raising the index finger between the two prostrations usually refer to two main narrations:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he sat in prayer, placed his left foot between his thigh and shin, laid down his right foot, placed his left hand on his left knee, his right hand on his right thigh, and pointed with his finger..."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ḥadīth 579)
❖ Observation:
Though the phrase “when he sat in prayer” (إذا قعد في الصلاة) appears general,
contextual cross-referencing within Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim shows it specifically refers to Tashahhud,
not to the sitting between the two sajdahs.
“The Prophet ﷺ used to place his hands on his knees when sitting in prayer, and would raise the finger next to the thumb, and supplicate with it...”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ḥadīth 580)
❖ Clarification:
In Sunān al-Nasāʾī, this narration appears with the added phrase:
“when sitting in Tashahhud” (إذا قعد في التشهد)
→ confirming the narration refers exclusively to Tashahhud, not other positions of sitting.
“الحديث يفسر بعضه بعضاً”
One part of a ḥadīth explains another.
Therefore, the apparent general terms like “in prayer” must be interpreted in light of the clarified context, i.e., Tashahhud only.
Narration from Wāʾil ibn Ḥujr:
"I saw the Prophet ﷺ perform sajdah, then sit back, spreading his left foot and placing his left hand on his left knee and his right hand on his right thigh, then gesturing with his index finger — then he went back into sajdah..."
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/317, ʿAbd al-Razzāq al-Muṣannaf 2/68, al-Ṭabarānī al-Kabīr 22/34-35)
❖ Status of Chain:
Based on the analysis of authentic and weak narrations:
The practice of raising or gesturing with the index finger between the two prostrations
is supported by a narration, albeit weak in chain due to anʿanah.
However, considering cumulative evidence,
and absence of contradiction from stronger reports,
this practice holds merit and can be considered the preferred (rājih) opinion among some scholars.
① The general narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim refer specifically to Tashahhud, not the sitting between sajdahs.
② The narration that mentions gesturing between the two sajdahs is weak, but not baseless.
③ Given the lack of stronger contrary evidence, and reasonable support,
raising the index finger between sajdahs is a valid and preferred opinion (rājih qawl).
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 382
✦ Question:
Is there any evidence from authentic aḥādīth for raising or gesturing with the index finger (Sabbābah) between the two sajdahs during ṣalāh?
✔ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ Analysis of the Evidence Presented by Supporters of This Practice
Those who allow or advocate raising the index finger between the two prostrations usually refer to two main narrations:
➊ First Narration:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he sat in prayer, placed his left foot between his thigh and shin, laid down his right foot, placed his left hand on his left knee, his right hand on his right thigh, and pointed with his finger..."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ḥadīth 579)
❖ Observation:
Though the phrase “when he sat in prayer” (إذا قعد في الصلاة) appears general,
contextual cross-referencing within Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim shows it specifically refers to Tashahhud,
not to the sitting between the two sajdahs.
➋ Second Narration:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to place his hands on his knees when sitting in prayer, and would raise the finger next to the thumb, and supplicate with it...”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ḥadīth 580)
❖ Clarification:
In Sunān al-Nasāʾī, this narration appears with the added phrase:
“when sitting in Tashahhud” (إذا قعد في التشهد)
→ confirming the narration refers exclusively to Tashahhud, not other positions of sitting.
◈ General Principle:
“الحديث يفسر بعضه بعضاً”
One part of a ḥadīth explains another.
Therefore, the apparent general terms like “in prayer” must be interpreted in light of the clarified context, i.e., Tashahhud only.
➌ Third Narration:
Narration from Wāʾil ibn Ḥujr:
"I saw the Prophet ﷺ perform sajdah, then sit back, spreading his left foot and placing his left hand on his left knee and his right hand on his right thigh, then gesturing with his index finger — then he went back into sajdah..."
(Musnad Aḥmad 4/317, ʿAbd al-Razzāq al-Muṣannaf 2/68, al-Ṭabarānī al-Kabīr 22/34-35)
❖ Status of Chain:
- Contains Sufyān al-Thawrī, a known mudallis
- He narrates ʿan without explicitly stating samiʿtu (I heard), and no supporting chain exists
- Thus, the narration is weak (ḍaʿīf)
◈ Additional Notes on the Chain:
- ʿAbd al-Razzāq’s narration alone cannot elevate the report to ḥujjah status.
- Though some classify it as shādh (isolated), the only genuine cause of weakness is anʿanah (ambiguous narration) by Sufyān al-Thawrī.
- The narration cannot be rejected solely based on it being uncommon (ziyādah), unless there’s a consensus or majority weakening the narrator, which is not the case here.
❖ Conclusion:
Based on the analysis of authentic and weak narrations:
The practice of raising or gesturing with the index finger between the two prostrationsis supported by a narration, albeit weak in chain due to anʿanah.
However, considering cumulative evidence,and absence of contradiction from stronger reports,
this practice holds merit and can be considered the preferred (rājih) opinion among some scholars.
Final Summary:
① The general narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim refer specifically to Tashahhud, not the sitting between sajdahs.
② The narration that mentions gesturing between the two sajdahs is weak, but not baseless.
③ Given the lack of stronger contrary evidence, and reasonable support,
raising the index finger between sajdahs is a valid and preferred opinion (rājih qawl).
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
