◈ Cracking the Fingers: Islamic Ruling During Prayer and Inside the Mosque ◈
Excerpt taken from the book Ahkam al-Masajid by Shaykh Muhammad Munir Qamar
Many individuals habitually crack their fingers—either by intertwining them and pressing the hands backward to produce a cracking sound, or by bending each finger individually near its base joint to create the same effect. This behavior is observed not only inside the mosque, but even during prayer, or while waiting for prayer.
This practice has been considered makrooh (discouraged) in the mosque—especially during prayer—based on several Ahadith and Athar (narrations from companions and early scholars).
One narration found in Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Daraqutni, al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, and al-Tabarani mentions:
إن الضاحك في الصلاة والملتفت والمفقع أصابعه بمنزلة واحدة
"The one who laughs during prayer, looks around, and cracks his fingers are all alike (in blame)."
[Al-Fath al-Rabbani: 8714, al-Mir‘āt: 3/14]
However, Imam al-Bayhaqi رحمه الله has pointed out a weakness in the chain of this narration due to a narrator named Ziyad ibn Fa’id, whom he describes as not strong.
Another Hadith appears in Sunan Ibn Majah:
لا تفقع أصابعك في الصلاة
"Do not crack your fingers during prayer."
[Reference: Al-Irwa’: 2/99]
Renowned contemporary scholar Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani رحمه الله has graded this narration as severely weak in his work Ghayat al-Ghaleel fi Takhrij Ahadith Manar al-Sabeel.
Thus, both of these Marfu' (Prophetic) narrations are considered weak in terms of chain authenticity.
There is, however, a sound narration (Hasan) from Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما. In Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Imam Shu'bah رحمه الله narrates:
صليت إلى جنب ابن عباس ففقعت أصابعي، فلما قضيت الصلاة قال: لا أم لك، تفقع أصابعك وأنت في الصلاة؟
"I prayed beside Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما and cracked my fingers during the prayer. After we completed the prayer, he said: 'May your mother lose you! You crack your fingers during the prayer?'"
[Also cited in Sunan Ibn Majah, al-Mir‘āt, and al-Irwa’]
This narration from such a high-ranking Companion highlights that cracking fingers during Salah is a disliked and inappropriate action, especially within the sanctity of the mosque.
The act of finger cracking during prayer has also been declared makrooh (disliked) by:
Imam al-Shawkani رحمه الله reports these opinions through the citation of Imam al-Nawawi رحمه الله.
[Reference: Al-Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 2/99 – Graded as Hasan]
Cracking fingers—especially during Salah or inside the mosque—is a discouraged (makrooh) act in Islamic law.
While the prophetic narrations may be weak, the statement of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما and the consensus of early scholars firmly indicate its dislike and inappropriateness, particularly in places of worship and acts of devotion.
Excerpt taken from the book Ahkam al-Masajid by Shaykh Muhammad Munir Qamar
❖ Cracking the Fingers (انگلیاں چٹخانا)
Many individuals habitually crack their fingers—either by intertwining them and pressing the hands backward to produce a cracking sound, or by bending each finger individually near its base joint to create the same effect. This behavior is observed not only inside the mosque, but even during prayer, or while waiting for prayer.
This practice has been considered makrooh (discouraged) in the mosque—especially during prayer—based on several Ahadith and Athar (narrations from companions and early scholars).
❖ Narrations on the Dislike of Cracking Fingers in Salah
One narration found in Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Daraqutni, al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, and al-Tabarani mentions:
إن الضاحك في الصلاة والملتفت والمفقع أصابعه بمنزلة واحدة
"The one who laughs during prayer, looks around, and cracks his fingers are all alike (in blame)."
[Al-Fath al-Rabbani: 8714, al-Mir‘āt: 3/14]
However, Imam al-Bayhaqi رحمه الله has pointed out a weakness in the chain of this narration due to a narrator named Ziyad ibn Fa’id, whom he describes as not strong.
Another Hadith appears in Sunan Ibn Majah:
لا تفقع أصابعك في الصلاة
"Do not crack your fingers during prayer."
[Reference: Al-Irwa’: 2/99]
Renowned contemporary scholar Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani رحمه الله has graded this narration as severely weak in his work Ghayat al-Ghaleel fi Takhrij Ahadith Manar al-Sabeel.
Thus, both of these Marfu' (Prophetic) narrations are considered weak in terms of chain authenticity.
❖ Authentic Athar (Narration from a Companion)
There is, however, a sound narration (Hasan) from Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما. In Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Imam Shu'bah رحمه الله narrates:
صليت إلى جنب ابن عباس ففقعت أصابعي، فلما قضيت الصلاة قال: لا أم لك، تفقع أصابعك وأنت في الصلاة؟
"I prayed beside Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما and cracked my fingers during the prayer. After we completed the prayer, he said: 'May your mother lose you! You crack your fingers during the prayer?'"
[Also cited in Sunan Ibn Majah, al-Mir‘āt, and al-Irwa’]
This narration from such a high-ranking Companion highlights that cracking fingers during Salah is a disliked and inappropriate action, especially within the sanctity of the mosque.
❖ Opinions of the Early Scholars
The act of finger cracking during prayer has also been declared makrooh (disliked) by:
- Imam al-Nakha’i رحمه الله
- Mujahid رحمه الله
- Saeed ibn Jubayr رحمه الله
- Ata’ رحمه الله
Imam al-Shawkani رحمه الله reports these opinions through the citation of Imam al-Nawawi رحمه الله.
[Reference: Al-Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 2/99 – Graded as Hasan]
Conclusion:
Cracking fingers—especially during Salah or inside the mosque—is a discouraged (makrooh) act in Islamic law.
While the prophetic narrations may be weak, the statement of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما and the consensus of early scholars firmly indicate its dislike and inappropriateness, particularly in places of worship and acts of devotion.
