Question:
Some people lift their index finger (shahadah finger) towards the heavens after wudhu and read a dua. Is this dua authentic?
Answer: باسمه سبحانه وتعالى و بالله التوفيق
To recite the Kalimah Shahadah and the dua after wudhu and to look towards the heavens when reciting the dua are all established in the noble Ahadith. However, I have not seen any narration explicitly mentioning the raising of the index finger at the time of reciting the Shahadah (after wudhu). Nonetheless, the jurists have considered this a good action. Therefore, it would not be prohibited to do such. However, it should not be considered necessary or a Sunnah act.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
(Mufti) Muhammad Salman Munsurpuri 11/4/1424
The answer is correct. (Mufti) Shabbir Ahmed
Kitabul Nawazil Vol.3 Pg.103-104
Translators note:
The Messenger of Allah said, “There is none of you who performs the wudhu and performs it well, then raises his eyes to the sky, and then says after he completes it: ‘I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah alone, having no partners, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger,’ except that all eight doors of Paradise will be opened for him; he can enter it through whichever one he pleases.” [Musnad Ahmed #121 [رفع نظره], Sunan Abu Dawud #170[رفع بصره]]
