Finger Lifting during Namaaz?

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

I have been going to the mosque lately and I have noticed something odd…

Can you shed some light on the 2 points below please and why?

  1. When its namaaz time, all the women huddle up really really close and I mean VERY CLOSE…there is no room to even bend down for raqoo or sijdah…why? They say that you shouldnt leave a gap as the shaytaan can come in between us…is that true?

  2. When you have done 2 raqats and during "Att tayato and the kalma, you lift your finger once ( at least I do), I have noticed that people are constantly lifting their finger during the kalma as well during sijda…again why?

What are the reasons behind these two points? Should I follow that too?

Thanking you.

2

Re: Finger Lifting during Namaaz?

You may know that there are many sound Ahadith stating that gesturing with index finger in prayer during “Tashahhud” is approved.
While lifting the index finger, you have to look at it, and believe me your concentration increases. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “It is harder on the Shaytaan than iron,” meaning the index finger.

  1. It is narrated In a sound Hadith that Abdullah ibn Umar said: When the Messenger of Allah sat for tashahhud, he placed his left hand on his left knee and placed his right hand on his right knee, and he formed a ring like …(thirty three) and pointed with his finger of attestation". ( Sahih Muslim).

  2. It is narrated In Sahih Muslim also from Abdullah ibn Zubair that “When the Messenger of Allah sat for “Tashahhud” (blessing and supplication), he placed his right hand on his right thigh and his left hand on his left thigh, and pointed with his forefinger, and placed his thumb on his (middle) finger, and covered his knee with the palm of his left hand”(Muslim).
    The second Hadith gives some explanation to the state mentioned in first Hadith.
    Imam Ibn Abdul Barr mentioned in His Book" Al - Istizkar" the agreement of scholars on pointing the finger during “Tashhud” then he said:" Some scholars believe that the movement of finger is Sunnah while others do not .It seems that the gesture continues from the beginning of the Tashhud to the end of Dua’a.
    Link for Detailed explanation
    I got to know through one of its sources that this is Index finger is the Shahadah finger, and Signifies there is one God, Islamic Monotheism thats Tauheed.

Your first question regarding the saying I have just heard about the shaytan but not yes got authenticity for that claim, I dont deny it but I dont know.
But the reason you got to stand close to each other in Salah is because of Unity, that a poor, rich, cripples are all one.