Does excessive movement in prayer invalidate it?
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The questioner:
Does excessive movement in prayer invalidate it? And how many movements invalidate the prayer?
The Shaykh:
Movements in prayer are of two types. The first type is a movement that a person needs, and there is no harm in that. For example, if he needs to pick up something or put it down, or adjust his garment or turban that needs adjusting, that is something with no harm. Or opening a door in front of him, or moving forward or backward out of necessity, there is no harm in any of that.
Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to open the door for Aisha while he was in prayer. Likewise, he (peace and blessings be upon him) used to carry Ummamah, the daughter of Zaynab, his granddaughter, while she was a small child. He would carry her in prayer; when he stood up, he would carry her, and when he prostrated, he would put her down. This is evidence that slight movement out of necessity is permissible. Good.
The second type is movement without necessity. If it is slight, it is disliked (makruh) and diminishes the form of the prayer. However, if it is excessive and continuous, it invalidates the prayer. If the movements are without necessity, excessive, and continuous, with these three conditions, they invalidate the prayer. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good and do you good.
The questioner:
Some of the brothers say this is an involuntary movement. Does Shaykh Salih have a comment?
The Shaykh:
An involuntary movement that he did not intend does not affect him, if Allah wills.
The presenter:
Praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh:
Because few are free from it. Yes.
The presenter:
We seek help from Allah. May Allah reward you with good.
Does excessive movement in prayer invalidate it? And how many movements invalidate the prayer?
The Shaykh:
Movements in prayer are of two types. The first type is a movement that a person needs, and there is no harm in that. For example, if he needs to pick up something or put it down, or adjust his garment or turban that needs adjusting, that is something with no harm. Or opening a door in front of him, or moving forward or backward out of necessity, there is no harm in any of that.
Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to open the door for Aisha while he was in prayer. Likewise, he (peace and blessings be upon him) used to carry Ummamah, the daughter of Zaynab, his granddaughter, while she was a small child. He would carry her in prayer; when he stood up, he would carry her, and when he prostrated, he would put her down. This is evidence that slight movement out of necessity is permissible. Good.
The second type is movement without necessity. If it is slight, it is disliked (makruh) and diminishes the form of the prayer. However, if it is excessive and continuous, it invalidates the prayer. If the movements are without necessity, excessive, and continuous, with these three conditions, they invalidate the prayer. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good and do you good.
The questioner:
Some of the brothers say this is an involuntary movement. Does Shaykh Salih have a comment?
The Shaykh:
An involuntary movement that he did not intend does not affect him, if Allah wills.
The presenter:
Praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh:
Because few are free from it. Yes.
The presenter:
We seek help from Allah. May Allah reward you with good.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، هل كثرة الحركة في الصلاة تبطلها؟ الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.