It is generally believed that when we give someone a thumbs up as a sign of praise, we are repeating another gesture of the ancient Romans - a thumbs up meant “to spare.” But this opinion is not true.

D. Morris in the book “Gestures” explains that the Romans supported the vanquished not by sticking out their thumb, but by covering it with their hand. When the spectators wanted the victorious gladiator to finish off his opponent, they waved their hands at him with their thumbs out (Morris believes that this was supposed to represent a blow with a dagger).

And, indeed, a thumb bent in any direction meant death for the vanquished, symbolizing a drawn sword. And to save life, the war spectators showed a clenched fist, which meant a sword hidden in a sheath.

artist Jean-Leon Gerome

If the thumbs-up gesture actually originated in Rome, one would expect it to remain popular in the Mediterranean today. But, as it turned out, it is in Italy and Greece, unlike other European countries, that this gesture is extremely rarely used in an approving sense. In many areas of Greece and Southern Italy, sticking out a finger is generally perceived as an obscene insult.In Australia and Nigeria it means “get out of here!” In this case, the direction of intended care is indicated with the thumb.In Europe it means “excellent!” or used by hitchhikers to stop the car.

Most likely, the birthplace of this gesture is in completely different places.

Tracing its origins is not easy - however, the history of gestures is in principle difficult to study, since the sources are unclear and contradictory. One can only refer to Morris and other authoritative experts. They believe that Western culture in general tends to associate bottom-up movement with positive feelings and optimism, and top-down movement with negative feelings and pessimism. The finger, protruding upward, is directed towards the sky. In the 1970s, the index finger extended upward became a symbol of fundamentalist Christians. For them, this gesture not only means “There is only one God” or “there are no other paths to salvation except ours,” but also reminds us where God lives and where good Christians will someday go.

Perhaps we stick out our thumb as a sign of approval simply because it is physically easier to do. Try sticking out some other finger, bending all the others.

What is this thumbs up symbol?

It is clear that the meaning of the symbol depends on which country and which finger is used. And here there are a great many options: from greetings and approval to indecent analogies.

For Muslims, the index finger of the right hand raised up is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism, that is, translated into Russian it means: “There is no God but Allah!”
In Germany, this gesture says: “Everything is fine.”
In Slavic countries, a raised index finger means a call for attention from others, and in American schools, students thus ask the teacher for permission to answer a question.
If during a conversation you raise your index finger up and shake it from side to side, then the interlocutor of almost any nationality will understand this as a refusal of what was proposed or an unwillingness to discuss the topic.

What are we talking about when we raise our thumbs up?

The symbol - the index and thumb connected with the rest raised up, means in America and most European countries: “Everything is fine!” But in Brazil and Turkey such a gesture will be perceived as an insult.

A resident of Holland, inviting you to a friendly drinking session, will raise his little finger up and his thumb to the side. This is where you probably want to respond to him with the gesture described above. Still: “Everything is great”! And a Frenchman can raise his little finger in response, which will mean: “Leave me alone!”

If someone raises their thumb up, the symbol hardly needs any special decoding - it is a sign of wishes for good luck, recognition that everything is going as it should, agreement with the proposed program of action, etc.

True, in Turkey and Arab countries such a gesture is a phallic symbol, and in Greece it is a demand: “Shut up!”

Most common symbol

Thumbs up in other cases too. The truth is not one, but two: we are talking about the V-shaped sign known in European countries with the index and middle fingers.

It was introduced during the Second World War by Winston Churchill to signify victory, and since then the gesture has become very popular. True, for the English, one nuance is important in it: which side is the palm facing the speaker at that moment. If it is from the back, then it is: “victory”, but if it is with the palm, then its interpretation becomes offensive.

Another gesture is no less popular: “goat”. We are talking about the index finger and little finger raised up. In the CIS this is a notorious “rocker” symbol. A thumbs up is raised in a similar way as a sign of superiority over someone, a desire to humiliate him. Although in mystical rituals this sign is protection from dark forces.

Why do Muslims always show their index finger up? What does this gesture mean?

Alla ㋛ ♠♣♦

The raised finger of the right hand is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism among Muslims) by the way, for those who profess Islam, the left hand is considered “unclean”. Therefore, if you offer a gift or money with your left hand, you may offend a Muslim.)

Evgeny Ardynsky, is your god Jesus? You don’t even know who your God is, how can you call everything else evil!?
The central figure for Christian worship is the Son of God - Jesus
Christ (hence the name “Christians”).
It is through him that Christians come
to God the Father. God the Father is the one image of God for Christians, Jews and Muslims.

They heard a ringing, but they don’t know where it came from! Among Wahhabis, a common sign is the index finger extended upward. According to the naive ideas of the “Salafis”, this sign should demonstrate their commitment to monotheism - after all, God is one, like a finger. Wahhabis love to pose in photos with such a “finger,” thereby wanting to show their “monotheism.” However, there are no hadiths that speak of such a finger as a symbol of Islam or monotheism.
Where did this gesture come from?
The fact is that the index finger extended upward is one of the main symbols of Freemasonry, which, in turn, borrowed it from ancient pagan religions, where this finger symbolized a person’s connection with “higher powers” (that is, Satan).
Also, in black magic rituals, Satan himself is usually depicted with his finger raised up, as can be seen in the photo below.
Thus, since Wahhabism was an invention of English Freemasonry, someone introduced this sign into it so that the “Salafis” would bear the satanic mark on themselves.

What does it mean ☝☝☝ this index finger up?

A raised index finger in Germany means “wonderful,” but a French waitress will mistake this gesture for ordering one glass of wine.
There are differences in the gestures of different peoples.
A raised index finger in Germany means “wonderful,” but a French waitress will mistake this gesture for ordering one glass of wine.
Two fingers raised up means:
in Germany - victory
peace in France
in the UK – 2
in Greece - go to hell, damn it.
Five fingers raised up have the meaning:
in Western countries – 5
everywhere - stop!
in Turkey - go away
in other countries - believe me, I'm telling the truth!
Raised little finger and index finger:
in the Mediterranean - your wife is cheating on you
in Malta and Italy - a sign that protects against danger and the evil eye
Raised index finger and thumb:
in Europe – 2
in the UK – 1
in the USA - please serve me, bring the bill
in Japan it is an insult.
Little finger raised up:
in France - leave me alone!
in Japan - woman
in Mediterranean countries - sexual innuendo
Thumbs up:
in Europe – 1
in Greece - swear word
in Japan – man, 5
in other countries - well done, good, a sign to stop traffic on the road.
The index finger and thumb are connected; the other fingers are raised up:
in Europe and North America - good, great
in the Mediterranean, Russia, Brazil, Turkey - swearing, sexual insult,
in Tunisia, France – 0
The little finger raised up and the finger pointed to the side:
in Holland - how about having a drink?
in Hawaii - no panic! Calm down!

Index finger up on the right hand. What does this mean?

★ஐ✽ นңңα ✽ஐ★

Gestures made from combinations of fingers in different cultures have very different meanings. So, for example, the “thumbs up” symbol can speak both of a decision to pardon the vanquished (a famous gesture during the fight of Roman gladiators), and of a common request for a ride, to take a fellow traveler (hitchhiking), if we are talking about a thumb raised up by the road somewhere in America. The index finger carries other information. Let's take a closer look.
What is this thumbs up symbol?

It is clear that the meaning of the symbol depends on which country and which finger is used. And here there are a great many options: from greetings and approval to indecent analogies.
1. For Muslims, the index finger of the right hand raised up is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism, that is, translated into Russian it means: “There is no God but Allah!”
2. In Germany, this gesture says: “Everything is fine.”
3. In Slavic countries, the index finger raised up means a call for the attention of others, and in American schools, students thus ask the teacher for permission to answer a question.
4. If during a conversation you raise your index finger up and shake it from side to side, then the interlocutor of almost any nationality will understand this as a refusal of what was proposed or an unwillingness to discuss the topic.
What does the thumbs up symbol mean?

What is this thumbs up symbol?

It is clear that the meaning of the symbol depends on which country and which finger is used. And here there are a great many options: from greetings and approval to indecent analogies.

For Muslims, the index finger of the right hand raised up is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism, that is, translated into Russian it means: “There is no God but Allah!”
In Germany, this gesture says: “Everything is fine.”
In Slavic countries, a raised index finger means a call for attention from others, and in American schools, students thus ask the teacher for permission to answer a question.
If during a conversation you raise your index finger up and shake it from side to side, then the interlocutor of almost any nationality will understand this as a refusal of what was proposed or an unwillingness to discuss the topic.

What are we talking about when we raise our thumbs up?

True, in Turkey and Arab countries such a gesture is a phallic symbol, and in Greece it is a demand: “Shut up!”

Most common symbol

Thumbs up in other cases too. The truth is not one, but two: we are talking about the V-shaped sign known in European countries with the index and middle fingers.

What does the index finger up gesture mean among Muslims?

Quite often lately you can see in photographs or video reports how Muslim militants raise their index finger up. It turns out that this gesture in itself does not mean anything offensive or provocative for Muslims. This is simply a statement expressed by a gesture that Allah is one, that is, the index finger simply means one. Although some people seriously suspected that this gesture was an analogue of the European raised middle finger, and I even had to read an explanation that this was an offensive gesture, because this finger in the desert lands is considered an analogue of the Russian burdock.

Azamatik

The Muslim gesture - the index finger raised up - means "Allah is one"(there is no God but Allah).

I don’t understand why they should do this for show, take pictures while performing this gesture, etc.

It’s strange when the same gesture is made by non-Muslims (the same militants, terrorists). They contradict themselves: after all, Islam does not condone the killing of people.

Yannet

This does not mean at all the well-known gesture where the raised middle finger of the hand carries an offensive tone. We are talking about the index finger of the right hand raised vertically. This is a religious gesture, such a gesture is considered a sign of "tawhid", which expresses the Muslims' belief in the uniqueness of Allah.

Why do Muslims always show their index finger up? What does this gesture mean?

Alla ㋛ ♠♣♦

What does a raised index finger mean for Muslims?

On the Internet you can often find images of Muslims raising their right index finger up.

Like many other gestures, this one has its own meaning among different peoples.

Among Russians, a straightened index finger with the rest bent at the same time is used as a regular pointer, and well-mannered citizens consider this gesture to be too deliberate and therefore unacceptable.

In Muslim society it has a completely different meaning.

Origin of the gesture

Islam is one of the youngest world religions, incorporating the experience of many other cultural traditions and beliefs.

The gesture of an upraised index finger was borrowed from the pagans of the Mediterranean. First of all, among the Greeks, for whom it denoted an invisible connection with the world of the gods. During the Renaissance, famous masters of painting often depicted heroes of ancient epics, historical figures, even angels with their fingers raised. This can be seen in the works of da Vinci, Raphael, and other artists and sculptors.

The raised finger literally points to the sky, where immortal deities live. But Islam, as a monotheistic religion, could not borrow this gesture from the pagans in exactly the same meaning.

If a Muslim raises his index finger, he thereby affirms monotheism. The gesture literally symbolizes that neither in this sublunary world nor in heaven there is any other Lord except Allah. Muslims seem to say: “God is one, just like this raised finger.” This gesture is often used when reciting the Shahadah “La Ilaha Illallah.” This is the main prayer-testimony of faith in the One God Allah and his Prophet Muhammad.

Wahhabism and other movements

Not all Muslims use the gesture of an index finger raised to the sky. It is popular among representatives of some movements of Islam, for example, Wahhabism. This is one of the newest trends, formed around the 18th century. Wahhabis often raise their index finger to emphasize their commitment to monotheism.

Opponents of the Wahhabis (usually traditionalist Muslims) do not accept this gesture. Some even argue that it does not indicate religious zeal, but the worship of Satan. Among Satanists one can often find an image of the devil with a similar gesture.

Others believe that it is used by Freemasons.
Source: What does a raised index finger mean for Muslims?

What does the index finger raised up mean?

Slavic peoples regard this gesture as a request to pay attention, a desire to interrupt the interlocutor’s speech, or to make an emphasis, a pause (depending on the text). If you bring your index finger to your chin, this may mean that the person is listening attentively and is thinking, and if you bring it to your lips, it may mean that you are asking the other person to shut up. In Muslim countries, this right hand gesture signifies monotheism: “There is no other God but Allah.” In France, you can use this gesture to ask the waitress for another glass of wine, in Germany - “Everything is fine,” “Excellent.” In American schools, this gesture is analogous to raising your hand in class in our schools, if you want to give an answer. Well, if you shake your raised index finger from side to side, then this is almost everywhere perceived as denial, disagreement, “No!”

Vladimir09854

Each nation has its own concepts on this matter.

For example, among the Slavic peoples, a raised index finger can mean that the interlocutor wants to interrupt you to say something.

This may be an objection.

This could be to attract the attention of the interlocutor (for example, a teacher at school, when children are angry in class). It could be swearing, like Nununu! Or maybe just indicating the upward direction. It all depends on the context that accompanies this gesture. This concerns the Slavs.

In the Muslim world, this gesture means only one thing:

And there is also the meaning of this gesture in the Lezginka dance:

And now a little humor on this topic.

Andrey1961

It’s not difficult to see people with a raised finger in a photo, what does this gesture mean, what is the trend? Somewhere they even interpret it as a sign taken from Satanism. But the most plausible explanation is quite simple. For Muslims, this gesture carries the expression, God is one, like the index finger. A gesture used by one people has a different meaning for another people. In the Philippines, this gesture would mean that you rate the person you are communicating with below you and the gesture serves to humiliate the person. In the photo the gesture does not mean anything bad.

Most likely, such a gesture means that the person thought about it and came up with something. Perhaps a person had an idea that he really liked. In general, the index finger pointing up can mean anything, it all depends on the situation.

A question for Muslims and those who know. What does a raised index finger or ring finger mean?

3. Imran's family
In the name of Allah, the merciful, the merciful
1. Alif. Lam. Mime.

2. Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Living, the Sustainer of life.

3. He sent down to you the Scripture with the truth to confirm what was before it. He sent down the Taurat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel),

4. which were formerly guides for the people. He also sent down the Discrimination (Quran). Indeed, those who do not believe in the signs of Allah are destined for severe torment, for Allah is Mighty, Capable of retribution.

5. Truly, nothing is hidden from Allah, neither on earth nor in heaven.

6. He is the One who gives you in your wombs whatever form He wishes. There is no deity but Him, the Mighty, the Wise.

7. He is the One Who sent down to you the Scripture, in which there are clearly stated verses that constitute the mother of the Scripture, as well as other verses that are allegorical. Those whose hearts turn aside follow the allegorical verses, wanting to sow confusion and achieve interpretation, although no one knows the interpretation except Allah. And those who have thorough knowledge say: “We believed in him. All this is from our Lord." But only those with intelligence remember edification.

Raised index finger up - gesture

One of the means of storing and exchanging information are symbols or signs, which, to one degree or another, are the basis of any writing created by an ancient man who mastered stone as a tool for writing proto-writing. Another way for people to exchange information through a visual channel was through gestures. Of course, gestures could not store information, since the human body is a dynamic object, but in a certain period of time they transmitted it perfectly.

This is body language with the help of which a person could convey information or a message at a distance or secretly from other people. We ourselves do not notice how we use body language, during a conversation, among ourselves and call it gestures. Sometimes complementing the emotional expression with some beautiful or not so beautiful gesture.

(in the photo there is a girl showing the “OK” hand gesture, which means “everything is fine”)

Hand gestures are a separate category of gestures that you are able to create with your body. This is probably even the most common category of gestures that a person uses in everyday life. There are many different hand gestures that can have different meanings in different parts of the world. From extremely positive to extremely negative. For example, a gesture of twisting the index finger at the temple can have the following meanings: in South America, “reflection” or “I think”; in Italy "eccentric personality", and in some countries it can be considered an insult "you're an idiot" or "you're crazy". For example, the harmless “OK” gesture shown by the girl in the photo above is offensive in France and means “you’re a complete zero” or “nothing.”

Showing a certain interest in gestures, symbols, signs, as well as emblems and heraldry, as well as in the religion of Islam, which connects me even more closely than with Christianity (surely you have already read my articles on the topic and), I was interested in one gesture, which today is gaining popularity among representatives of a certain religious denomination - the index finger of the right hand is raised vertically.

(Photo from the Internet)

Surely you yourself have often seen photographs with a similar gesture. Unfortunately, the guy on the far right, in the photo above, is holding up the finger of the wrong hand. But this is a common phenomenon among religious people who themselves do not know all the details of the religion they profess. The left hand is considered "unclean" in Islam.

This gesture is not neglected today not only by ordinary people, young people in random photographs, but also by public people.

Forward of Tula "Arsenal" Khyzyr Appaev.

President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov

Irtysh champion, April 2013

Kazakh boxer Madiyar Ashkeev

Kazakh heavyweight boxer Isa Askerbaev

Russian boxer Albert Selimov

In general, you understand that such gestures are not uncommon among athletes, and in particular in our homeland. If you take a closer look at the photographs of our wrestlers and boxers, you will notice many such gestures. And this list of photos could be continued...

What is the meaning of this gesture? Or what a person is trying to convey to others by showing it in photographs.

People demonstrating this gesture seem to remind people around them that Allah Almighty exists, he is above and he sees everything. Or Allah is one.

What do official or traditional Islam and its representatives think about this? Or what Muslims who consider themselves such generally think about this.

Specifically, the Holy Quran does not say anything about this gesture. But, although in Islam the primary book is the Koran, most interpretations and information are drawn from the so-called tafsirs and hadiths.

It is unclear where this gesture actually came from, but there are certain references that supposedly, while reading the Tashahhud, the prophet raised his finger up.

So what do they say about this gesture and the need for it? the answer gives .

Question:

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh. Some people raise their index finger when pronouncing the word atahiatu. Is it correct? If yes, then why? Thanks in advance.

Answer:

Wa alaikum assallam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

All praise and thanks be to Allah, peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother Aibek! We thank you for your trust. We call upon Allah Almighty to illuminate our hearts for the truth and grant us blessings in this world and on the Day of Judgment. Amen.

In his famous book “Fiqh As-Sunnah” Sheikh Said Sabik provides the following information:

1- Ibn Umar reported that when the Prophet sat in the tashahhud, he would place his left hand on his left knee and his right hand on his right knee, put his fingers in a ring and raised his index finger. Another narration says: “ He closed his hand and raised his index finger” (Muslim).

2- Wa'il ibn Hajar reported that the Prophet would place his left palm on his left thigh and knee, his right elbow on his right thigh and then bend his right palm into a ring. Another narration says: “ He bent his middle and thumb into a ring and raised his index finger. When he raised his finger, (Va'il) saw that he was moving it while reciting a prayer"(Ahmad). Al-Baihaqi explains this hadith this way: “He moved it” means that he lifted it, and did not continue to move it.” This is consistent with the report of Ibn Az-Zubayr: “When performing prayer, the Prophet pointed his finger and did not move it.” Abu Dawud reports the same with an authentic (sahih) chain of transmitters, and also mentions Nawawi.

3- Az-Zubair reported: “When the Prophet sat while performing tashahhud, he would place his right hand on his right thigh and his left hand on his left thigh. He only raised his middle finger, but did not look in his direction” (Ahmad, Muslim, An-Nasai). This hadith shows that everyone should place his right hand on his right thigh without clenching his hand [palm] (into a fist), but should not look in the direction in which his middle finger is pointing.

The previous three hadiths are authentic and one can act on any of them.

While the worshiper is saying salam at the end of the prayer, he should raise his right index finger, bending it slightly. Numair Al-Khaza'i reported: "I saw the Messenger of Allah sitting in prayer with his hand on his right thigh. His index finger was raised, slightly curved (or bent), and he was reciting a prayer" (Ahmad, An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Ibn Khuzaim with a reliable chain of transmitters).

Anas ibn Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed by Saad while he was praying with two fingers raised. The Prophet told him: "Only one, Saad"”(Ahmad, Abu Daoud, An-Nasai. Al-Hakim).

Ibn Abbas was asked about a person who raised his finger in prayer and he said: “This is true devotion.”

According to Shafi'i, you only need to lift your finger once, when pronouncing the words “except Allah” in a testimony (that is, there is no god except Allah). Hanafis raise their finger on the refuting part of the statement (there is no god) and lower it on the affirmative part (except Allah). Malikis move their finger left and right until the end of the prayer. Hanbalis raise a finger at every mention of Allah, thereby pointing to His uniqueness, but do not move it”.

And finally, Sheikh Atiya Saqr notes: “Moving the index finger is not a pillar and not an obligatory action of prayer, so it does not matter. What is important is the observance of khushu in our prayers and the fulfillment of the pillars and obligatory actions of prayer, and these are decisive questions in its acceptance [and this plays a decisive role in its acceptance].”

Allah Almighty knows best.

In general, as you understand from the text above... there is no specification, but there is recorded testimony from witnesses.

Another states that there is nothing at all about the combination of folded fingers and raised index finger.

Somehow ambiguous...

Well, what do believers themselves think about this:

It was not possible to understand this issue and find certain specifics. As I understand, this does not work for the believers themselves, who leave these questions on various religious sites of varying degrees of authority and receive diametrically opposed answers. I'd like to figure it out...

Also, especially radicals do not miss the opportunity to use this gesture.

Doku Umarov, with the guys

I don't know these guys...

What is this thumbs up symbol?

It is clear that the meaning of the symbol depends on which country and which finger is used. And here there are a great many options: from greetings and approval to indecent analogies.

For Muslims, the index finger of the right hand raised up is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism, that is, translated into Russian it means: “There is no God but Allah!”
In Germany, this gesture says: “Everything is fine.”
In Slavic countries, a raised index finger means a call for attention from others, and in American schools, students thus ask the teacher for permission to answer a question.
If during a conversation you raise your index finger up and shake it from side to side, then the interlocutor of almost any nationality will understand this as a refusal of what was proposed or an unwillingness to discuss the topic.

What are we talking about when we raise our thumbs up?

The symbol - the index finger connected and the rest raised up, means in America and most European countries: “Everything is fine!” But in Brazil and Turkey such a gesture will be perceived as an insult.

True, in Turkey and Arab countries such a gesture is a demand: “Shut up!”

Most common symbol

Thumbs up in other cases too. The truth is not one, but two: we are talking about the V-shaped sign known in European countries with the index and middle fingers.

It was introduced during the Second World War to signify victory, and since then the gesture has become very popular. True, for the English, one nuance is important in it: which side is the palm facing the speaker at that moment. If it is from the back, then it is: “victory”, but if it is with the palm, then its interpretation becomes offensive.