7 - LaughingIssue No. 1031 - The seventh invalidator is an intentional loud laugh, even though it may be uncontrollable. However, smiling does not make a prayer void even though it may be intentional; also, laughing inadvertently thinking that one is not offering prayer, does not make the prayer void.
8 - WeepingIssue No. 1033 - Weeping loudly, though involuntarily, invalidates the prayer. Moreover, silent weeping also makes the prayer void as an obligatory precaution. This is when it is not due to fear of Allah, or for the Hereafter, otherwise there is no harm in it. In fact, it is among the best acts and the acts of “those loyal to Allah.”
9 - Acts that Violate the Form of the PrayerIssue No. 1034 - Acts, which disturb the form of prayer, such as clapping, jumping, etc., invalidate the prayer, regardless of whether it is done intentionally or forgetfully. However, there is no problem in the acts that do not change the form of prayer, for instance, making a signal with one’s hand.
10 - Eating and DrinkingIssue No. 1036 - Eating or drinking in a manner that disturbs the form of prayer would invalidate the prayer. However, if there are small particles of food, etc., left in the mouth and during the prayer, one swallows them, it does not make the prayer void.
11 - DoubtIssue No. 1037 - The eleventh invalidator is any doubt concerning the number of rak‘ats in a prayer, which consists of two or three rak‘ats. Moreover, if one is doubtful of the number of the first two rak‘ats of a prayer consisting of four rak‘ats, his prayer will be void.
12 - Adding or Omitting “Foundational Elements”Issue No. 1038 - If one adds or omits any of the foundational elements of prayer, intentionally or forgetfully, his prayer becomes void. For example, if a person omits or adds a rukū‘ or two sajdahs together, his prayer will be void. Unintentionally omitting or adding non-foundational acts (e.g., a single sajdah); do not harm the prayer. However, if one adds or omits it purposely, it will make the prayer void.
3 - Folding Hands during PrayerIssue No.1008- The third invalidator is to fold hands in the way some Muslim schools of thought do. If a person folds his hands or puts them on his chest, even as a mark of humility and reverence, the obligatory precaution is that he should repeat the prayer, even if it does not look like them. However, there is no harm if it occurs forgetfully or inevitably, or for some other purposes such as scratching the hand (or similar actions).
Issue No.996- It is recommended that qunūt be recited in all obligatory and recommended prayers before the rukū‘ of the second rak‘at, and it is also recommended that qunūt be recited before the rukū‘ in Witr prayer, although it is only one rak‘at. However, the obligatory precaution is to abandon qunūt in shaf‘ prayer which is a part of the night prayer.
Issue No.862- There are eleven obligatory acts for prayer:1- Nīyyat (intention)2- Qīyām (standing during prayer)3- Takbīrat-ul-iḥrām (saying “Allāhu Akbar” at the beginning of the prayer)4- Qarā’ah (recitation)5- Rukū‘ (bowing)6- Sajdah (prostration)7- Dhikr (prescribed recitation while doing rukū‘ and sajdah)8- Tashahhud (bearing witness)9- Salām 10- Tartīb (performing prayer sequentially)11- Muwālāt (to perform acts of prayer consecutively).
Issue No.864- The foundational elements of prayer are five: 1- Nīyyat (intention).2- Takbīrat-ul-iḥrām .3- Standing at the time of saying takbīrat-ul-iḥrām and before the rukū‘.4- Rukū‘.5- Two sajdahs in every rak‘at. (Of course, no addition is possible with respect to the intention, and also, if one utters an undue takbīrat-ul-iḥrām by mistake, the prayer does not become void. However, the recommended precaution in this case is to repeat the prayer).
Issue No.865- A person should perform prayer with the intention of proximity, which may be gained by complying with the orders of Allah (swt). However, it is not necessary that one should utter the intention, or should make the intention pass through his mind in the beginning of the prayer. It is sufficient if one is asked what he is doing, he answers that he is offering prayer for Allah.
Issue No.871- The first part of the prayer is "Allahu Akbar" which is called “takbīrat-ul-iḥrām”. Leaving it out, intentionally or by mistake, renders the prayer void. However adding to it (i.e., to pronounce it twice) intentionally, will cause the prayer to become void.
