Etiquette of the Mosque and Excessive Movement in Prayer

Question:
We observe in mosques certain things, such as repeated movement during prayer that reaches the extent of adjusting the headscarf, taking out a handkerchief to wipe, or wiping sweat, looking at the watch, and so on, which indicates a lack of humility in prayer. If the heart were humble, the limbs would be still. There are other things as well, such as not closing the gaps in the rows; in fact, it reaches the point where, whenever one raises the voice with the Noble Qur'an, the closing of the prayer, or the dhikr, and other things that lead to disturbing the worshippers, we ask Your Eminence to clarify the ruling of the religion regarding these things, and what a Muslim must observe of the etiquette of the mosque?

Answer:
What the questioner said, may Allah reward him with good, is all a reality. Some people engage in a lot of fidgeting. Some people, when asked to close a gap in the row, refuse; they do not move and think that it is not permissible for them to act. This is from ignorance. Some people do not close the gap they see in front of them. It is obligatory for the believer to guard against these things. First, if fidgeting becomes excessive, it invalidates the prayer, so the believer must guard against that. Or, if it is a small amount, it is excused; a trivial matter is excused. Looking at the watch for a short time, or if he sneezes or something else happens, there is no harm. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spat in prayer, and he ordered that one should spit to the left in prayer. He said, or he did this, and he ate the edge of his cloak, gathering some of it together and placing it down. So if he puts it in his cloak or in his right hand, there is no harm. But he should not continue with many things. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) carried Umm Zaynab while he was praying; he carried her in prayer, and when he sat, he put her down, and when he stood, he carried her. So the small, scattered movement is different. But it is not permissible to cover up with many continuous, numerous movements; this is not permissible, because this disturbs the prayer. One should seek humility, so he does not fidget with his beard, his watch, his headscarf, his cloak, or anything else. He should seek humility, stillness, and quietness in prayer. Likewise, if there is a gap around him, he gently pulls the person next to him to close the gap, without being rough. No, he gathers his legs together, and he does the same, and they bring their feet close together, the foot of this one near the foot of that one, until the gap is closed. Some people, when they see the gap, are stingy and push their brother away, becoming rough. This is not part of the prayer; this should not be done. But they should draw close, and this one should gather his legs together near his brother's foot, not advancing or retreating, until the row is straight and the gap is closed. This is how the believers should be polite with the etiquette that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) explained and called for. As for being like a wooden plank or a pillar, where the pulling to close the gap is rough, this should not be done. It is not in the Shari'ah. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Be soft with your brothers' hands," and he said, "Close the gaps." Closing them is done by drawing close and being soft, not by stiffness, standing firm, and refusing, thinking that this harms his prayer. No, it does not harm his prayer; this completes your prayer. Closing the gap completes it, it does not harm it. Yes.