Source: Ahkam wa Masā’il – The Chapter of Mosques, Vol. 1, p. 102
Is it valid to perform Salah in a shop by covering the boxes with a cloth and praying on them?
Alhamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
This issue relates to the concentration and humility (khushūʿ wa khuḍūʿ) of Salah and the surrounding environment. Salah should be performed in such a place where one’s focus is entirely towards Allah, without distractions.
Imām al-Bukhārī narrates:
Anas (RA) said:
«كَانَ قِرَامٌ لِعَائِشَةَ سَتَرَتْ بِهِ جَانِبَ بَيْتِهَا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَمِيطِي عَنَّا قِرَامَكِ هَذَا فَإِنَّهُ لَا تَزَالُ تَصَاوِيرُهُ تَعْرِضُ فِي صَلَاتِي»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb in ṣallā fī thawbin muṣallab aw taṣāwīr…)
"ʿĀʾishah (RA) had a curtain with pictures on it with which she covered a side of her house. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Remove this curtain from me, for its images kept appearing before me in my prayer.’"
❀ From this ḥadīth it is understood that anything in the prayer space which distracts or diverts attention should be removed.
❀ Regarding prayer inside a shop:
❀ Therefore, as long as khushūʿ in Salah is maintained and the items are not visibly distracting, prayer in a shop is valid.
Yes, Salah in a shop is permissible, provided that distracting items (like boxes and goods) are covered so they do not affect concentration. The priority is ensuring focus and humility in prayer.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ The Question
Is it valid to perform Salah in a shop by covering the boxes with a cloth and praying on them?
❖ The Answer
Alhamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
This issue relates to the concentration and humility (khushūʿ wa khuḍūʿ) of Salah and the surrounding environment. Salah should be performed in such a place where one’s focus is entirely towards Allah, without distractions.
❖ Evidence from Ḥadīth
Imām al-Bukhārī narrates:
Anas (RA) said:
«كَانَ قِرَامٌ لِعَائِشَةَ سَتَرَتْ بِهِ جَانِبَ بَيْتِهَا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَمِيطِي عَنَّا قِرَامَكِ هَذَا فَإِنَّهُ لَا تَزَالُ تَصَاوِيرُهُ تَعْرِضُ فِي صَلَاتِي»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb in ṣallā fī thawbin muṣallab aw taṣāwīr…)
"ʿĀʾishah (RA) had a curtain with pictures on it with which she covered a side of her house. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Remove this curtain from me, for its images kept appearing before me in my prayer.’"
❖ Explanation
❀ From this ḥadīth it is understood that anything in the prayer space which distracts or diverts attention should be removed.
❀ Regarding prayer inside a shop:
- If the goods, boxes, or items in the shop create distraction, this is not an appropriate way to pray.
- However, if these items are covered with a cloth so they are not visible, then there is no harm.
❀ Therefore, as long as khushūʿ in Salah is maintained and the items are not visibly distracting, prayer in a shop is valid.
❖ Conclusion
Yes, Salah in a shop is permissible, provided that distracting items (like boxes and goods) are covered so they do not affect concentration. The priority is ensuring focus and humility in prayer.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
