Is there a specific way this should be done?
والاستغفار أن تشير بأصبع واحدة
‘When asking for forgiveness you should point with one finger’
Answer
This is part of a longer Hadith wherein Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) explained the etiquette of different types of du’a.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1484. Also see: Hadith: 1494)
The method of doing this is to raise the index finger while closing the other fingers.
‘Allamah Tibi (rahimahullah) explains that the reason for doing so is to rebuke the nafs ammarah [the nafs which causes one to sin] and to rebuke Shaytan.
(Refer: Mirqatul Mafatih, Hadith: 2256. Also see: Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 237)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar