❀ Sunnah Timing for Raising the Index Finger During Tashahhud ❀
Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
During Tashahhud, when should the index finger (shahādah finger) be raised? Should it be raised at “Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh”, or from the beginning of al-Taḥiyyāt?
The index finger should be raised from the beginning of al-Taḥiyyāt, as established in the Hadith.
((إِذَا جَلَسَ لِلتَّشَهُّدِ رَفَعَ إِصْبَعَهُ السَّبَّابَةَ))
“When the Prophet ﷺ sat for Tashahhud, he would raise his index finger.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
There is no authentic verse or ḥadīth indicating that the finger should be raised specifically at “Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh.”
Hence, the correct Sunnah practice is to raise the finger from the beginning of Tashahhud (al-Taḥiyyāt).
Allah knows best.
Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
✿ Question:
During Tashahhud, when should the index finger (shahādah finger) be raised? Should it be raised at “Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh”, or from the beginning of al-Taḥiyyāt?
✿ Answer:
The index finger should be raised from the beginning of al-Taḥiyyāt, as established in the Hadith.
✿ Evidence from Hadith:
((إِذَا جَلَسَ لِلتَّشَهُّدِ رَفَعَ إِصْبَعَهُ السَّبَّابَةَ))
“When the Prophet ﷺ sat for Tashahhud, he would raise his index finger.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
There is no authentic verse or ḥadīth indicating that the finger should be raised specifically at “Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh.”
Hence, the correct Sunnah practice is to raise the finger from the beginning of Tashahhud (al-Taḥiyyāt).
✔ Summary:
Raise the index finger from the start of Tashahhud (al-Taḥiyyāt).
Raising it only at “Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh” is not supported by authentic evidence.
Allah knows best.
