The Baraajim (knuckles) are the knots visible on the outside of the fingers and on the other side of these are the Rawaajib (internodes) which are the inside joints of the fingers. Washing the Baraajim is Mandoob due to what was related from ‘Aa’ishah (ra) when she said: “Ten are from the Fitrah: …and washing the Baraajim…” recorded by Muslim and others.

And washing the Rawaajib is Mandoob as well according to what was related from Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) from the Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم when it was said to him: “O Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم Jibreel (as) has been slow in coming to you. He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: And why should he not be slow to come to me whilst you are around me and you do not fulfil the Sunnah, and do not cut your nails, and do not cut your moustaches and do not clean your Rawaajib (inside finger joints)” as recorded by Ahmad with a Hasan Sanad. It was also recorded by At-Tabaraani.

And it is sufficient to clean the Baraajim and Rawaajib with the hand and as long as a Muslim makes Wudoo’ a number of times in the day and night and performs the obligatory and Sunnah acts of Ghusl and washes his hand after eating then he will achieve the washing of the Baraajim and Rawaajib by doing that and as such it is not necessary to return to wash them by themselves.