Is it permissible to raise the forefinger between the two prostrations when saying, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah"?
The jurists are of the view that the worshipper should extend the fingers of his right hand in the sitting posture between the two prostrations, just like the left hand. However, Ibn al-Qayyim and those who followed him held that one should clench the little finger and the ring finger of the right hand, form a circle with the thumb and middle finger, and raise the index finger, moving it during supplication, basing their opinion on the hadith of Wail ibn Hujr. But the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud from Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, which mentions pointing without moving, has some doubt regarding its authenticity. As for the sitting between the two prostrations, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would spread his left foot and sit on it, and keep his right foot upright, placing his hands on his thighs. He would prolong this pillar for a duration equal to that of thej prostration. The most preponderant view is that held by the generality of jurists, and that the hadith about moving the finger applies to the Tashahhud (testimony of faith), not to the sitting between the two prostrations.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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