His father said: "When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat in the second or fourth rak'ah, he would place his hands on his knees and point with his finger."
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1161
Hadith Text
"His father said: 'When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat in the second or fourth rak'ah, he would place his hands on his knees and point with his finger.'"
Commentary on the Posture
This narration establishes the sunnah of placing both hands upon the knees during the sitting position (tashahhud) in the second and fourth rak'ahs of prayer. The hands should be spread out with fingers extended toward the qiblah, demonstrating calmness and reverence in prayer.
Significance of Finger Pointing
The act of pointing with the index finger signifies tawhid (divine unity) and serves as a reminder of Allah's oneness throughout the recitation of tashahhud. The finger should be raised during the declaration "Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah" and may be gently moved up and down as a form of devotion, though excessive movement is discouraged.
Distinction Between Rakahs
The specification of second and fourth rak'ahs indicates that this posture differs from the final sitting where the full tashahhud is recited with additional blessings upon the Prophet. This demonstrates the precision of the Prophet's prayer and the importance of observing distinctions between various positions within salah.
Legal Ruling
This practice is considered sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized tradition) according to the majority of scholars. While omitting it doesn't invalidate prayer, consistently following this prophetic example earns greater reward and completes the perfection of one's prayer.