Is it permissible to crack one's fingers and interlace them on Friday, and what about the other prayers, given that the person does not intend to do so but it is a habit?
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The questioner : In the last of this questioner's questions, he asks, regarding Shaykh Muhammad (may Allah preserve you), about cracking one's fingers and interlacing them on Friday: is it permissible, and what about the other prayers, given that the person is not intending to do so but it is a habit?
The Shaykh : As for interlacing the fingers for one who is waiting for the prayer, it is prohibited, whether on Friday or on any other day. As for cracking the fingers, there is no prohibition except if a person is in the middle of the prayer. Likewise, interlacing the fingers after finishing the prayer is permissible. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he prayed with his companions one of the two afternoon prayers, either the midday prayer or the afternoon prayer, and he concluded the prayer after two units. Then he stood up and leaned on a wooden bench displayed in the mosque, and he interlaced his fingers. The companions came back to him and informed him that he had concluded the prayer after two units, so he completed the prayer. This story is famous and well-known by the name of the hadith of the man with the two hands.
In summary, interlacing the fingers for one waiting for the prayer is prohibited, but after the prayer there is no harm in it. As for cracking the fingers, there is no harm in doing so before the prayer and after it, but not during the prayer, because it is a movement without need. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : As for interlacing the fingers for one who is waiting for the prayer, it is prohibited, whether on Friday or on any other day. As for cracking the fingers, there is no prohibition except if a person is in the middle of the prayer. Likewise, interlacing the fingers after finishing the prayer is permissible. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he prayed with his companions one of the two afternoon prayers, either the midday prayer or the afternoon prayer, and he concluded the prayer after two units. Then he stood up and leaned on a wooden bench displayed in the mosque, and he interlaced his fingers. The companions came back to him and informed him that he had concluded the prayer after two units, so he completed the prayer. This story is famous and well-known by the name of the hadith of the man with the two hands.
In summary, interlacing the fingers for one waiting for the prayer is prohibited, but after the prayer there is no harm in it. As for cracking the fingers, there is no harm in doing so before the prayer and after it, but not during the prayer, because it is a movement without need. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.