Q. Salaam ul aikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,

When we say the Kalimah during prayer, when do we put our finger down? After the first half (after “There is no god but God”) or the second half (and Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger”)? Or does it really even matter?

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The opinions pertaining to the raising of the finger in the posture of tashahood vary. The Fuqaha would not have discussed it had it not mattered. It is linked to sunnah, and thus it does matter. It is also part of the affirmation of ones faith through a physical gesture as made obvious via the right hand index finger being lifted and thereafter dropped.

Ahnaf are of the opinion that the shahadah finger must be raised when one states: ‘Ashadu alaa ilaha’ and dropped only when one states: ill-lal-lah (Except Allah).

May we all be blessed with reciting the words of the tashaood at all times, Ameen

Allah Certainly Knows Best.