Is it obligatory to raise the forefinger in prayer when saying "Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah" (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah) and lower it when saying "Muhammadun Rasul Allah" (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), so as not to equate the Creator with the created, and is there any evidence for this?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Raising the index finger during the is recommended, not obligatory. The jurists' opinions regarding the beginning and end of its raising have been previously explained. As for what was mentioned about raising it when Allah Almighty is mentioned and lowering it when the Prophet, peace be upon him, is mentioned, as an indication of the difference between the Creator and the created, this has no basis.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/123105
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 123105
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy