Looking at the finger while pointing in prayer

📖Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 579
Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr reported: When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would sit in prayer, he would place his left foot between his thigh and shin, stretch his right foot, place his left hand on his left knee, place his right hand on his right thigh, and point with his finger. In another narration, Abdullah said: The gaze of the Prophet would not go beyond his index finger.

This hadith describes the physical posture and concentration of the Prophet ﷺ during prayer. It teaches Muslims how to properly position their body and maintain focus in Salah. The way the Prophet placed his hands, feet, and gaze is part of the practical Sunnah, showing believers how to emulate his actions while praying, The Qur’an does not provide these detailed physical descriptions of prayer. This is deliberate: if Allah had described every movement in detail, it would make acts of worship rigid and devoid of personal imitation of the Prophet. Leaving these aspects to the Prophet’s example allows flexibility while ensuring the practice remains rooted in guidance. This also emphasizes following the Sunnah as a means of perfecting one’s worship.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 4:59
O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.
(This highlights following the Prophet’s guidance in practical matters, including prayer.)

📖Quran 59:7
Whatever the Messenger has given you — take it; and what he has forbidden you — refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

What the Messenger gives us:

• The Messenger ﷺ provides practical guidance and teachings that implement Allah’s commands in daily life.
• This includes acts of worship (prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage), social behavior, ethics, and personal conduct.
• The Prophet ﷺ also teaches us how to live Islam correctly, including practical actions like prayer posture, dealing with family, business ethics, and justice.

Where his teachings are given:

• Hadith collections such as Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhari, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Nasa’i, and others.
• The Prophet’s practical life (Sunnah) – his words, actions, approvals, and examples as witnessed by his companions.
• Together with the Qur’an, his teachings complete Allah’s guidance, providing both the command (Qur’an) and the implementation (Sunnah).

This verse commands Muslims to accept everything the Prophet ﷺ provides as guidance and refrain from what he forbids, without question. Following the Prophet is following Allah, because he conveys Allah’s instructions in actionable form.

Example:

• How to pray (posture, focus, sequence) – given in Hadith, not fully detailed in the Qur’an.
• How to deal with family, business, and society – rules and ethics exemplified in his life.

Lessons Today:

• Accept and implement the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings in daily life.
• Hadith and Sunnah are authoritative because they show how to practice Qur’anic commands.
• Obedience to the Prophet ﷺ ensures true guidance and protection from error.