The Creed of Compassion-Islamic Teachings & Answering Doctrinal Misconceptions

2- When Wuḍū Becomes VoidIssue No.1006- If a person, intentionally or by mistake, or uncontrollably, performs an act which makes his wuḍū void, his prayer is regarded void. However, the prayer of a person who is incontinent will not be void if he acts according to the rules explained earlier in the section relating to wuḍū. Similarly, if a woman sees blood of istiḥāḍah during prayer, her prayer is not invalidated if she has acted according to the rules of istiḥāḍah.

4 - Saying “Ameen”Issue No.1009- The fourth invalidator is to say 'Ameen' after sūrah al-fātiḥa. If one says 'Ameen', he should complete the prayer and offer it again as an obligatory precaution. However, there is no harm if one utters it mistakenly or as taqīyyah (dissimulation).

5 - Offering prayer with one’s back towards the QiblahIssue No.1010- The fifth invalidator is to turn and direct one’s back towards the qiblah, or [to turn] completely to the right or left of the qiblah, intentionally or forgetfully. In addition, if one intentionally turns to the limit that it will not be said that he is facing the qiblah, his prayer will be void.

6- TalkingIssue No.1012- The sixth invalidator is intentionally talking, even to the extent of one sentence, or a word, or a two letter word (e.g., we), or even if the two letters have no meaning, the prayer will be void, as an obligatory precaution. (Precaution with regard to the invalidators means that one should complete the prayer and then offer it again).

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.