As for the jurists’ dispute over whether the motion of the finger should continue, the sound view—without doubt—is with those who affirm its continuity, for this is confirmed in the report of Waʾil ibn Hujr. They also disagreed over the exact manner of this motion, as will be explained shortly. (1) This refers to the hadith of ʿAbd Allah ibn al-Zubayr. He said: “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat to supplicate, he would place his right hand on his right thigh and his left hand on his left thigh, point with his index finger, rest his thumb on his middle finger, and make the palm of his left hand reach his knee.” Reported by Muslim 2/90 and al-Bayhaqi 2/131, both through the chain of Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah – Abu Khalid al-Ahmar – Ibn ʿAjlan – ʿAmir ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn al-Zubayr – his father. Muslim cites Ibn ʿAjlan only when paired with another transmitter. The pertinent portion of this report is corroborated by the earlier hadith of Ibn ʿUmar (p. 840): “and he folded fifty-three.” The commentators explained this “folding” as folding the little, ring, and middle fingers while letting the thumb touch the base of the index finger (see Talkhis 3/499; Tazyin al-ʿIbarah). This is the configuration preferred by the Shafiʿis, though they also permit the alternative form to be mentioned next. (2) This is an excerpt from the longer hadith of Waʾil ibn Hujr describing the Prophet’s prayer ﷺ: “He then closed two of his fingers and formed a circle …” (and the narration continues).