What is the ruling on gesturing during prayer out of necessity?
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The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Gesturing during prayer...
The Shaykh : No, no... whether it is to return a greeting or for something other than returning a greeting. Even if a person asks you, "Do you want to visit so-and-so?" you may say, "Yes." If he asks you, for example, "When will you go to so-and-so?" you may say, "Yes," and indicate with your hand, meaning, "Wait a moment," and so on. The point is that there is no harm in this. It may be said: If a person remembers an important matter while in prayer, whether it is a scholarly issue or a matter that fulfills the needs of people, or something similar, is he permitted to write it down with his hand or on a piece of paper? Yes, he is permitted to do so, because this is a need. However, if he writes it down every time he remembers something, that is not allowed, because there is no need for it. But if there is a need, or perhaps a dire necessity, there is no harm.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Gesturing during prayer...
The Shaykh : No, no... whether it is to return a greeting or for something other than returning a greeting. Even if a person asks you, "Do you want to visit so-and-so?" you may say, "Yes." If he asks you, for example, "When will you go to so-and-so?" you may say, "Yes," and indicate with your hand, meaning, "Wait a moment," and so on. The point is that there is no harm in this. It may be said: If a person remembers an important matter while in prayer, whether it is a scholarly issue or a matter that fulfills the needs of people, or something similar, is he permitted to write it down with his hand or on a piece of paper? Yes, he is permitted to do so, because this is a need. However, if he writes it down every time he remembers something, that is not allowed, because there is no need for it. But if there is a need, or perhaps a dire necessity, there is no harm.