2/193. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 991 — Raising the Forefinger in Prayer
Pointing (With The Finger) During The Tashah-hud
Hadith About Raising the Forefinger in Tashahhud
Sunan Abi Dawud : 991
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 991
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ النُّفَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ - حَدَّثَنَا عِصَامُ بْنُ قُدَامَةَ، - مِنْ بَنِي بُجَيْلَةَ - عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ الْخُزَاعِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاضِعًا ذِرَاعَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى فَخِذِهِ الْيُمْنَى رَافِعًا أُصْبُعَهُ السَّبَّابَةَ قَدْ حَنَاهَا شَيْئًا .
AbuMalik Numayr al-Khuza'i Narrated from:
I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him placing his right hand on his right thigh and raising his forefinger curving it a little.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 991In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 602English translation : Book 3, Hadith 986
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 991
This narration reports what Abu Malik Numayr al-Khuza’i saw from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. He saw the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم placing his right arm on his right thigh and raising his forefinger while curving it a little. The core topic is finger pointing in prayer. The hadith is short, but it gives a clear visual detail: right arm on right thigh, forefinger raised, and the finger slightly curved. For people searching for raising forefinger in tashahhud, finger position in salah, or Prophet’s hand in prayer, this report gives a direct description. It does not mention movement of the finger here, nor does it add a long explanation. The safe way to explain it is to stay with the wording and show the calm manner described in the prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was seen placing his right arm on his right thigh.
- The forefinger was raised during this prayer posture.
- The finger was curved slightly, as stated in the narration.
- The hadith teaches care in following the reported form of prayer.
