ESL Blogs

The fingers are the extremities of the hand.  They are the four or five jointed parts of the hand. Each finger has three phalanges. Although they are slender they can do, different tasks. Let us start with the small finger, pinky. It has no specific task but to help the other fingers while eating or grasping something. Then, the finger ring or ring finger. It is next to the small finger. In some cultures, a ring is worn on that finger for wedding or marriage. Next to it is the middle finger. Like the pinkie finger, we use it to help the other fingers while eating or holding something. It is the longest one.

The thumb is the thick short digit of the hand. It has only two phalanges unlike the other four digits, which contain twelve phalanges, three for each. We use the thumb for that famous 'sign up' sign when we raise it up to mean everything is just right or perfect. When it is down, it means something bad or undesired.    

The index finger, the first finger, or the forefinger is between the middle finger and the thumb. This one is popular of them all. It has many names owing to the various tasks it carries out. It is a pointer finger. At school, college or conferences, we use it to take permission, ask a question, or say something. One of its names is the trigger finger. Sometimes it is used for warning, cursing, commanding or threatening. Some people use it or the middle finger obscenely.

The index finger means one. We use it in Islam for the unity of God and praising or sanctifying Him. Even during our five times prayers, whenever we hear the name of Allah; we raise it to show His unity or Glorification.

Those fingers, together or separate can do marvelous things. Look at the fingers of Stevie Wonder hitting that piano, or Carlos Santana playing the Guitar, or Kenny G. playing the saxophone.  The late Jimmy Hendrix and many others doing fantastic arts and music.