Raising the finger in Thana

Question

Can we raise finger in Thana while in namaz? Our imam said I can’t do it.

Answer with the help of Allah the Almighty

In the beginning of Salah, after the Takbeer of Tahreemah and before Ta’awwuz and Tasmiyah, while one recites:

“Wa Laa Ilaaha Gayruk”

It is better to raise the finger of Shahaadah.

Sadr Al-Shari’ah, Allamah Amjad Ali Al-A’zami, has written in his Fataawa:

“To raise the finger of Shahaadah in Thanaa is better because it is a gesture for establishing monotheism. It is in a Hadith that a person used to gesture with two fingers and the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him) said ‘with one, with one.’ The purpose of this is that the tongue has established monotheism, the heart firmly believes it and so the limbs have gestured it; and furthermore, the body, soul and tongue are together in agreement.”

If one regards it impermissible then it is upon him to provide evidence against it, because the essence of all is permissibility.

And Allah knows all.

Faqeer Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri

16th Sha’baan 1436 AH