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Fatwa CenterHow Imaam Maalik extended his index finger in tashahhud
Question
In fatwa no. 276157, you mentioned the reason why Maalik pointed with the palm facing left in the Tashahhud; is this what Maalik saw the people of Madinah do, and was this Maalik's opinion or the opinion of those who came later in his school? Was Ibn Abi Zayd the first to mention this type of pointing in his Risalah?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
It has been authentically reported that Imaam Maalik 
used to move the index finger during the Tashahhud. As to whether he used to make the palm of his hand face left in the Tashahhud or not, we could not find any statement attributing this act to him or to any of the scholars of Madeenah. However, it has been reported from some Maaliki scholars before Ibn Abi Zayd that the side of the index finger should face the worshiper's face, which entails that the palm of the right hand would be facing left. Al-Baaji wrote:
"It is deduced that moving the index finger is to avoid being inattentive and to suppress the devil; while doing so, one remembers that he is in prayer… it was reported that Maalik used to take out his index finger from under his hooded cloak and move it all the time (in Tashahhud).
Ibn Al-Qaasim said that the worshiper should extend it (i.e. the index finger) without moving it, and he makes its left side face upwards. This view was stated by Yahya ibn Maryam. So, those who held that the index finger should be moved (in the Tashahhud) interpret the rationale of extending it to be avoidance of distraction in prayer and suppression of the devil. On the other hand, those who held that the index finger should be extended without moving it interpret the rationale of extending it to be signifying Tawheed (the Oneness of Allaah).
It was narrated on the authority of Yahya ibn ʻUmar that he used to move his index finger while saying, "Ashhadu an la ilaaha illa Allaah wahdahu la Sahreeka lah." Perhaps, what he meant by that is that he extended it and pointed with it (without moving it), and Allaah knows best."
Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawaani said, "Ibn Al-Qaasim said, 'I saw Maalik moving his index finger persistently in the Tashahhud. I have also seen him, when he wished to supplicate, raise his hands a little so that the back of the palms are facing his face.' Yahya ibn Muzayn said, 'The index finger should be extended with its side facing his face, and one should not move it.'" [An-Nawaadir wa Az-Ziyaadaat]
Allaah knows best.
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