Explanation of Permissible Acts During Salah
Salah is the most important pillar of Islam after the testimony of faith. However, in certain specific situations, some actions that are generally avoided during Salah are allowed. Below are the acts which the Prophet ﷺ permitted during Salah or performed himself.
❶ Killing a Snake or Scorpion During Salah
The Prophet of Mercy ﷺ said:
"Kill the two black ones during Salah, namely the snake and the scorpion."
(Abu Dawood, As-Salah, Chapter: Actions During Salah, 129)
❷ Carrying a Child During Salah
Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah رضي الله عنه said:
I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offering Salah while the daughter of Zaynab, Sayyidah Ummamah (his granddaughter), was on his shoulders. When he went into prostration, he would put her down, and when he stood up, he would pick her up again.
(Bukhari, As-Salah, Chapter: If One Carries a Small Girl on His Neck in Salah, 615 — Muslim, Al-Masajid, Chapter: Permissibility of Carrying Children in Salah, 345)
❸ Responding to Salam with a Gesture
Sayyiduna Suhayb رضي الله عنه narrated:
I passed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was offering Salah. I greeted him with Salam, and he responded with a gesture using his right hand’s finger, without speaking.
(Abu Dawood, As-Salah, Chapter: Replying to Salam During Salah, 529 & 729)
Sayyiduna Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri رضي الله عنه narrated:
A companion greeted the Prophet ﷺ during Salah, and he replied with a gesture. After finishing the Salah, he said:
"Previously, we used to reply to Salam verbally during Salah, but we have been prohibited from doing so."
(Silsilah al-Ahadith as-Sahihah by Al-Albani, 7192)
Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه said:
I do not like to greet one who is offering Salah, but if someone greets me, I will respond to him.
(Silsilah al-Ahadith as-Sahihah by Al-Albani, 2122)
❹ Praising Allah Upon Sneezing
Sayyiduna Rifa’ah ibn Rafi’ رضي الله عنه narrated:
I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and during the Salah, I sneezed and said:
"اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ حَمْداً كَثِیْراً طَیِّباً مُّبَارَكاً فِیْہِ مُّبَارَكاً عَلَیْهِ كَمَا یُحِبُّ رَبُّنَا وَیَرْضَى"
When the Prophet ﷺ finished the Salah, he asked:
"Who spoke during the Salah?"
He repeated this question three times. I replied: "O Messenger of Allah! It was me." He said:
"By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, thirty angels raced to take this word up (to Allah)."
(Tirmidhi, As-Salah, Chapter: What Has Been Reported Regarding Sneezing During Salah, 404 — Imam Tirmidhi graded it Hasan)
❺ Walking During Salah
Mother of the Believers, Sayyidah ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was offering voluntary Salah while standing. The door was closed, so I knocked. He walked during the Salah, opened the door, and returned to continue his prayer.
(Silsilah al-Ahadith as-Sahihah by Al-Albani, 213)
