Is it permissible to perform prayer in different ways, such as raising the index finger throughout the Tashahhud, or only when saying "Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah" (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah), and placing the hands above or below the navel during the standing posture?

These issues, such as the manner of descending for prostration, the placement of the hands in prayer, raising the finger in thetashahhud, sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the first tashahhud, and qunut in Fajr, are among the Sunnah acts of prayer and are matters of jurisprudential details and ijtihad.

The disagreement regarding them is permissible, and one who differs is not to be declared an innovator or condemned, as there is no definitive text concerning them. Scholars differ on what is preferable, not on the validity of the prayer. Indeed, the Companions, the Tabi'in, and those who came after them prayed behind one another despite their differences on these matters.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah held that praying with either method of descending for prostration is permissible by the consensus of scholars.

Scholars are of the view that placing the right hand over the left in prayer is a Sunnah, and they differed on its placement (on the chest, above the navel, below the navel). All of these are considered broad (permissible) among them, and the most preferred and superior is placing it on the chest.

A Muslim should do what he believes to be correct based on evidence, or he should follow a scholar whom he trusts.