Question Summary:
Is it Haraam to kiss the thumbs in Azaan?

Question Detail:

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM WR WB
Dear Ust ,
. the time of Azaan, it is Haraam to kiss the nails of the thumbs when the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is uttered ?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The Darul Iftaa has issued a Fatwaa regarding the above. Kindly refer to the below Fatwaa.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best                                       
Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Concurred by,
Moulana Abdul Azeem Bin Abdul Rahmaan
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
 
 
Question:
During the azaan when it says Ashadu Anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah do we have to kiss our thumb and rub it on our eyes?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
When the Mu’azzin says “Ashadu Anna Muhammadun Rasool Allah”, one should repeat the exact wordings of the Mu’azzin without any additions or alterations.[1] This is the teaching of Rasullullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). We should always follow the Sunnah of Rasullullah (Sallallahu ALayhi Wa Sallam).
The practice of kissing one’s thumb and rubbing it on one’s eyes after “Ashadu Anne Muhammadan Rasool Allah” in the Azaan has been  documented in the Hadeeth as follows:
من قبل ظفري ابهامه عند سماع أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ  في الأذان أنا قائده و مدخله في صفوف الجنة
“He who kisses the finger nails of his thumb when hearing Ashadu Anna Muhamman Rasool Allah, I shall admit him into Jannah”
 
Allamah Shawkani (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has classified the above Hadeeth as Mawdhoo (fabricated). [2]
 
Allamah Ibn Abidin Shami (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) quotes “There is no authentic Marfoo Hadeeth regarding this practice”[3]
Mulla Ali Qari (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has quoted the same Hadeeth with a slight variation as follows:
مسح العينين بباطن أنملتي المسبحتين بعد تقبيلهما عند سماع قول المؤذن أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله مع قوله أشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله رضيت بالله ربا وبالإسلام دينا وبمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم نبيا
“ Rasullullah (Sallallahu ALayhi Wa Sallam) wiped his eyes with the inner portion of his fore fingers after kissing them when hearing the Mu’azzin saying “Ashadu Anna Muhammadun Rasool Allah together with Ashadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhu Wa Rasuluhu, Radhitu Billahi Rabba wa Bil Islami Deena wa Bi Muhammad Sallallahu ALayhi Wa Sallam Nabiyya”
Mullah Ali Qari (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has classified the above Hadeeth as Mawdhoo (fabricated).[4]
It is evident from the above explanation that The practice of kissing one’s thumb and rubbing it on one’s eyes after “Ashadu Anne Muhammadan Rasool Allah” in the Azaan is a fabricated and baseless practice having no status in the Shari’ah.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.