Answer: It is authentically recorded that the Prophet (s.a.s) would not continuously move his finger in the tashahud as you have asked about. In this respect, Abdullah Ibn Zubair (r.a) has narrated that the Prophet (s.a.s) would point with his finger (in tashahud) when he prayed and he would not move it. (Abu Dawood; Nasai; Abu Awanah; Baihaqi. Imam Nawawi has declared it saheeh (sound) in his Al Majmu).

Many other traditions have been narated which show that the Prophet (s.a.s) did not move his finger continuously. From among these is the tradition of Abdullah bin Umar (r.a.) who said that when the Prophet (s.a.s) sat for tashahud, he would place his left hand on the left knee and would place his right hand on the right knee and he would point with the index finger. (Saheeh Muslim).

Wail bin Hujr (r.a.) reports that he saw the Prophet (s.a.s) make a circle with his thumb and the middle finger and he raised the forefinger, praying with it. (Ibn Majah; Nasai).

With respect to the action of moving the figer continuously, this is mentioned in certain traditions, however, the scholars of ahadith have ruled against it.

One of the traditions quoted in this regard, is that of Wail Ibn Hujr (r.a) which states that He (the Prophet s.a.s) clenched two of his fingers and made a circle with them. He then lifted his finger and I saw him moving it, praying with it. (Recorded by Ahmad, Nasai, and Ibn Khuzaimah. Ibn Khuzaimah adds, 'There is no mention of the words 'moving it' in any other tradition except this related by Zaidah).

While narrating this hadeeth, the scholars of hadeeth have noted that many sound and reliable narrators have reported this hadeeth but have not mentioned these words of 'moving the finger'. Only one narrator has done so who is Zaidah bin Qudamah. The other ahadeeth on the subject of pointing the finger in tashahud also do not mention any movement. In fact, it is categorically denied in the hadeeth of Abdullah Ibn Zubair mentioned earlier.

With respect to those who have narrated the tradition of Wail bin Hujr, we see that there are about eleven other narrators who have narrated it from Aasim bin Kulaib from his father from Wail bin Hujr, however, none of them has narrated the words of 'moving of the finger'. Instead, they have reported the hadeeth with the words 'He pointed with his forefinger' or 'He pointed with his forefinger and prayed with it'. It is only Zaidah bin Qudamah who has reported the extra wording.

This addition is therefore rare and cannot be accepted, especially since it is clearly contradicted by the saheeh hadeeth of Abdullah bin Zubair which categorically negates the movement of the finger, and also by the silence of the other ahadeeth on the subject of pointing the finger in tashahud.

The other tradition which speaks about the movement of the finger is that which has been reported by Abdullah Ibn Umar (r.a). He narrates that the Prophet (s.a.s) said 'The movement of the fingers in prayer frightens away satan'. (Recorded by Baihaqi and Ibn Addi). Having quoted this hadeeth, Imam Baihaqi declares this hadeeth as dhaeef (weak) and says, 'The only person to narrate this hadeeth is Muhammad bin Amr al Waqidi and he is not authentic'. Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Hafiz Suyuti have also stated that it is dhaeef (weak). Imam Ahmad has mentioned this narrator as being a liar and Ibnul Madini has accused him of fabricating hadeeth. In view of these comments by the great scholars of hadeeth, it is clear that this hadeeth cannot be accepted as reliable. Hence, practice will not be made upon it.

It is for this reason, we see that no one from among the great Imams of Fiqh has practiced upon it. Instead, they have stated that the finger should not be moved continuously in tashahud.

And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan