5/21. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 580b — Finger of Attestation in Tashahhud
The description of the sitting during the prayer, and how the hands are to be placed on the thighs
Finger of Attestation in Tashahhud Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 580b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 580b
وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا قَعَدَ فِي التَّشَهُّدِ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُسْرَى عَلَى رُكْبَتِهِ الْيُسْرَى وَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى رُكْبَتِهِ الْيُمْنَى وَعَقَدَ ثَلاَثَةً وَخَمْسِينَ وَأَشَارَ بِالسَّبَّابَةِ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat for tashahhud, he placed his left hand on his left knee and placed his right hand on his right knee, and he formed a ring like (fifty-three) and pointed with his finger of attestation.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 580bIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 148USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1203
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 580b
This hadith about the finger of attestation in tashahhud gives another version of Ibn Umar’s report. It says that when the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sat for tashahhud, he placed his left hand on his left knee and his right hand on his right knee. He formed a ring-like hand shape described as fifty-three and pointed with his forefinger. The hadith focuses on the right hand gesture during tashahhud and the calm placement of both hands. It does not add extra rulings beyond this action. Its message is about following the described prayer posture with respect. For people searching for the tashahhud finger hadith, this narration is one of the direct reports on pointing in prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) placed both hands on the knees while sitting in tashahhud.
- The right hand formed a ring-like shape in this narration.
- The forefinger was pointed during tashahhud.
- Small actions in prayer were preserved carefully by the narrators.
