✦ Prohibition of Arrogant Posture in Salah
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ لَم أَنَّهُ نَهَى أَن يُصَلِّيَ الرَّجُلُ مُخْتَصِرًا – لَفْظُ الْبُخَارِيِّ وَهُوَ مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ –Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ forbade praying while resting one’s hand on one’s side. (Agreed upon. The wording is from Bukhari.)
Verification & References:
- Bukhari: 1220
- Muslim: 545
❀ Key Points:
➊ It is extremely important to maintain proper etiquette in Salah. One should stand correctly and avoid any actions that contradict the humility and reverence required in prayer. Standing with hands on the side is considered an arrogant posture and resembles the style of the Jews, hence it should be avoided.✦ Precedence of Eating over Salah in Certain Situations
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“When food is placed before someone and the Iqamah for Salah is called, he should eat first and not hasten, until he is done.”
Verification & References:
- Bukhari: 673
- Muslim: 559
❀ Key Points:
➊ If food is served and the congregation for Salah has begun or it is time for prayer, then one should eat first with ease rather than rushing.➋ Islam does not encourage hastiness. Moderation is preferred in every matter. Rushing to join the congregation may lead to indigestion because thorough chewing aids digestion. Moreover, one may not be able to focus during prayer due to lingering thoughts about food.
➌ Islam acknowledges the right of the stomach. A person must satisfy this need before engaging in the worship of Allah.
➍ The Arabic term for dinner is "ʿIshāʾ", which aligns with the name of the night prayer.
➎ This instruction applies occasionally—not regularly—i.e., it should not become a habitual practice that food is always served at the time of congregational prayer. This guideline is particularly more relevant for ordinary worshippers, not for the Imam. If such a situation arises for the Imam, he should inform his deputy or the congregation to appoint someone else to lead the prayer.
Source:This material is taken from the book "Ḍiyāʾ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām" authored by Shaykh Taqi al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, and translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.
