Moving the index finger whilst supplicating during the sitting between the two prostrations
Question: Noble Shaykh may Allaah forgive you (your sins). What is your opinion regarding the moving of the index finger whilst supplicating during the sitting (of rest) between the two prostrations in the prayer?
Response: That which I am of the opinion is that it is a Sunnah, based upon the hadeeth of Waa.il ibn Hajar [transmitted by Abu Daawood and Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibbaan] (as occurs) in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, and it has been authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibbaan and as-Saa’aatee in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, and he said regarding it: “Indeed its chain of transmission is good”. He said this in al-Fat.h ar-Rabbaanee and al-Arnaa.oot (mentioned it) in Zaad al-Ma’aad.
And therein is the permissibility of placing the right hand (on the right thigh) between the two prostrations just as it is placed (likewise) during the tashahhud. And I have a reference for this from the people of knowledge, (namely) Ibn al-Qayyim as occurs in Zaad al-Ma’aad. And he has was clear about placing the two hands (on their respective thighs) between the two prostrations just as they are placed (likewise) during the tashahhud. It is then said that there is nothing mentioned on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) that he placed his right hand on his (right) thigh (by the knee) opened out, as for the left (hand) then the Sunnah is clear in that regard that it is placed on the thigh opened out on the thigh (by the knee) – all of that is permissible. And these are two manners/ways, however, there is a point (of note), when do we indicate with the right (index) finger, (is it) continuously whilst sitting during the tashahhud or (whilst) resting between the two prostrations?
And the answer: That which has reached me from the Sunnah is that one indicates with it whilst supplicating, so a person moves it (pointing with it) upwards while he supplicates. And the appropriateness for this is that the supplication is directed towards Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall) which is an indication of His Loftiness (above all of His creation), and this is what is apparent to me regarding this (whole) issue.
Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen
Fataawa Mu’aasirah – Page 393 source: fatwaonline.com