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Things Which Invalidate Prayers
Issue 88: Things which invalidate prayer include:
1. Missing any of the obligatory parts or conditions, as mentioned in previous issues.
2. Anything that nullifies wuḍū occurring during the prayer.
3. Folding the hands intentionally as a gesture of humility, which, as an obligatory precaution, invalidates the prayer unless necessary.
4. Turning away from the Qibla without a valid reason. If it is because of an excuse, like if he is forced by wind or forgetfulness to deviate from the direction of Qibla, the prayer remains valid if the deviation to the right or left is less than 90 degrees. If more, the prayer must be repeated.
5. If a worshipper speaks intentionally during prayer, using a meaningful word, his prayer is invalidated, even if the word is made of just one meaningful letter, like "Qi" which in Arabic means “protect it”. Uttering meaningless sounds formed by two or more letters, as an obligatory precaution, also invalidates the prayer. Of course, there is an exception to the mentioned ruling in one case, and that is when a person greets another who is praying, in which case it is obligatory to respond to him. Thus, he should use the same words in reply without adding anything to it. For example, if someone says Salāmun ʿalaykum, he should also say Salāmun ʿalaykum in reply.
6. Intentional loud laugh, which includes stretching the sound and rolling it around in the throat(1).
7. Crying loudly for worldly reasons invalidates the prayer. Silent crying also invalidates the prayer as an obligatory precaution. Crying for spiritual reasons like fear of Almighty God or humility to Him or longing for paradise does not invalidate it.
8. Performing actions that disrupt the prayer’s form, such as eating or drinking. Even as an obligatory precaution, one should avoid any eating or drinking, even if it does not disrupt the prayer. Swallowing food in the mouth or food particles left between teeth does not invalidate it, nor does melting small bits of sugar or similar items.
9. Saying "Ᾱmeen" after al-Fātiḥa in congregational prayer invalidates the prayer for the follower if done intentionally when he is not practicing taqiya (dissimulation). If someone is not attending a congregational prayer and says "Ᾱmeen" intentionally, he should, as an obligatory precaution, repeat the prayer.
10. Doubts about the number of units (rakʿahs) in certain cases, as per the details provided in future issues.
11. Intentionally adding or omitting anything from the prayer, whether actions or words. However, there is no problem in reciting dhikrs (recitals), prayers, or Quran during prayer.
1. Missing any of the obligatory parts or conditions, as mentioned in previous issues.
2. Anything that nullifies wuḍū occurring during the prayer.
3. Folding the hands intentionally as a gesture of humility, which, as an obligatory precaution, invalidates the prayer unless necessary.
4. Turning away from the Qibla without a valid reason. If it is because of an excuse, like if he is forced by wind or forgetfulness to deviate from the direction of Qibla, the prayer remains valid if the deviation to the right or left is less than 90 degrees. If more, the prayer must be repeated.
5. If a worshipper speaks intentionally during prayer, using a meaningful word, his prayer is invalidated, even if the word is made of just one meaningful letter, like "Qi" which in Arabic means “protect it”. Uttering meaningless sounds formed by two or more letters, as an obligatory precaution, also invalidates the prayer. Of course, there is an exception to the mentioned ruling in one case, and that is when a person greets another who is praying, in which case it is obligatory to respond to him. Thus, he should use the same words in reply without adding anything to it. For example, if someone says Salāmun ʿalaykum, he should also say Salāmun ʿalaykum in reply.
6. Intentional loud laugh, which includes stretching the sound and rolling it around in the throat(1).
7. Crying loudly for worldly reasons invalidates the prayer. Silent crying also invalidates the prayer as an obligatory precaution. Crying for spiritual reasons like fear of Almighty God or humility to Him or longing for paradise does not invalidate it.
8. Performing actions that disrupt the prayer’s form, such as eating or drinking. Even as an obligatory precaution, one should avoid any eating or drinking, even if it does not disrupt the prayer. Swallowing food in the mouth or food particles left between teeth does not invalidate it, nor does melting small bits of sugar or similar items.
9. Saying "Ᾱmeen" after al-Fātiḥa in congregational prayer invalidates the prayer for the follower if done intentionally when he is not practicing taqiya (dissimulation). If someone is not attending a congregational prayer and says "Ᾱmeen" intentionally, he should, as an obligatory precaution, repeat the prayer.
10. Doubts about the number of units (rakʿahs) in certain cases, as per the details provided in future issues.
11. Intentionally adding or omitting anything from the prayer, whether actions or words. However, there is no problem in reciting dhikrs (recitals), prayers, or Quran during prayer.
(1) In case, however, one laughs loudly unintentionally, or if he purposely laughs without emitting any voice, there is no harm.
