It is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to point with his index finger and move it during the tashahhud when praying.

1- Sunnah prayers are of two types: * Sunnah prayers which are done before the obligatory prayer – two rak’ahs before Fajr and four before Zhuhr. * Sunnah prayers which are done after the obligatory prayer – two rak’ahs after Zhuhr, two rak’ahs after Maghrib and two rak’ahs after ‘Isha. 2- It is not correct to pray the Sunnah prayer before the time for the obligatory prayer begins, rather you should wait until the time for that prayer comes, then pray it.

In a two-rak’ah prayer, a Muslim should say the normal tashahhud (first and second part) and follow it with the reported du`a and then he can say any du`a he likes.

Reciting aloud in Fajr prayer and in the first two Rak`ahs of Maghrib and `Isha’ is Sunnah for both, one who is leading the prayers and one who is praying alone. If a person recites silently there is no sin on him, but he would be neglecting an act of Sunnah.

The Prophet Muhammad said: “When any one of you recites the Tashahhud, let him seek refuge with Allah from four things – from the punishment of Hell, the punishment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evils of the Dajjal, then let him pray for himself for whatever he wants.” For more about du’a in the final tashahhud, see the detailed answer.