The ruling on moving the index finger during prayer

Question:
This questioner says, “May Your Eminence, first: I testify to Allah that I love you for the sake of Allah. Second: I ask Your Eminence about moving the index finger during prayer: is it moved once during the tashahhud, or several times? This is because I see some of the worshippers moving the index finger continuously throughout the entire prayer. Please issue a ruling for us, may you be rewarded, may Allah reward you with good.”

Answer:
The Sunnah is to point with the index finger when one sits for the first and last tashahhud. One grasps all his fingers and points with the index finger. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) may have grasped his little finger and ring finger, and formed a circle with his thumb over his middle finger, pointing with his index finger (peace and blessings be upon him) in his sitting for the tashahhud. As for moving it, that is done during supplication, as came in the hadith: meaning, during supplication, he moves it slightly, such as when saying: “O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad, I seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the Hellfire, O Allah, help me to remember You,” and similar supplications before the taslim. He points with his finger with a slight movement at each supplication, as the Sunnah has it. And we say: May Allah love you, the One for whom you loved us. We ask Allah to make us and you among those who love one another for the majesty of Allah.