the prayer consists of two rakʿahs or more; in every other sitting he sets the right foot upright and sits on the left.
Ibn Rushd observed that the disagreement stems from conflicting reports.
Consequently, Ibn Jarīr concluded that all of these postures are borne out by the Sunnah: whichever manner one adopts—tawarruk, or raising the right foot while sitting on the left—he has acted in accordance with the Sunnah, and the matter is spacious. Allah knows best.
Benefits
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The finger next to the thumb is called al-sabbāḥa because it is used to glorify Allah and declare His transcendence above any partner. It is also called al-sabbāba because people point with it when reproaching someone.
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Pointing with the index finger while mentioning Allah carries noble meanings: it signifies His oneness and exclusive right to divinity and worship. It also indicates His exaltedness over creation in essence, attributes, power, and dominion. Ibn ʿAbbās said of this gesture, “It is sincerity,” for the wisdom behind it is to unite word, deed, and belief in affirming monotheism.
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A review of the narrations and their reconciliation:
• The hadith of Wāʾil ibn Ḥujr in al-Nasāʾī (889): “He pointed with the index finger, then raised it, and I saw him move it.”
• The hadith of Ibn ʿUmar in Ahmad (5964): “He pointed with his finger and said, ‘It is harsher upon Satan than iron.’”
• The hadith of Ibn al-Zubayr in Muslim (579): “He pointed with the index finger.”
• The hadith of Ibn ʿUmar in Muslim (580): “He pointed with his index finger.”
• The hadith of Ibn ʿUmar in al-Bayhaqī (2/132): “Moving the finger terrifies Satan”—though the chain is weak. Al-Bayhaqī said: It is possible that what is meant by “moving”