As for the hadith reported by Abū Dāwūd (1) from ‘Abdullāh ibn al-Zubayr, stating that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would point with his finger when supplicating without moving it, the authenticity of this addition is questionable (2). Muslim reported the hadith in full from him in his Sahīh (3), but did not include this addition. Rather, he said: “When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sat during prayer, he would place his left foot between his thigh and his shin, lay his right foot flat, place his left hand on his left knee and his right hand (4) on his right thigh, and point with his finger.”
Moreover, Abū Dāwūd’s report from him does not state that this occurred during prayer (5). Even if it did concern prayer, it would be a report denying movement, whereas the report of Wā’il ibn Hujr affirms it and therefore takes precedence. The latter is an authentic hadith, included by Abū Hātim in his Sahīh (6).
He would then say: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, make good my deficiencies, guide me, and provide for me” (7).
(1) No. 989. Also recorded by al-Nasā’ī in al-Mujtabā (1270) and al-Kubrā (1194), al-Tabarānī (13/99), and al-Bayhaqī (2/131). Its chain includes Ibn Jurayj, who explicitly stated direct transmission in al-Nasā’ī’s version. It also includes Muhammad ibn ‘Ajlān, who has some weakness. The basic report appears in Muslim (579/113), without the addition: “and he would not move it.” See the previously cited source (3/250–251).
(2) The author’s statement has been challenged as follows: “If its authenticity is questionable, the same doubt applies—and more strongly—to the hadith concerning movement.” See the previously cited source (3/250).
(3) No. 579.
(4) A lacuna follows this word in manuscript mb.
(5) However, Abū Dāwūd placed it under the heading “Pointing during the tashahhud (testimony of faith).” Other transmitters include an addition that al-Nasā’ī placed under the heading “Laying the left hand flat on the knee.” Other hadith authorities likewise used such headings.
(6) No. 1860; already cited shortly above.
(7) Abū Dāwūd’s version reads “wa ‘āfinī (and grant me well-being)” instead of “wa-jburnī (and make good my deficiencies).” Ahmad’s and Ibn Mājah’s versions read “wa-rfa‘nī (and raise my rank)” instead of “wa-hdinī (and guide me).”