Question
What is the ruling regarding stray thoughts during prayer, and what is the importance of khushūʿ (humility and focus)?
Answer
Khushūʿ and khudūʿ (humility and submission) are essential in prayer. If thoughts come during prayer, the prayer itself is not invalid, but the reward and spiritual merit are diminished.
The worshipper should avoid intentional distraction and excessive thinking. If thoughts occur, he should seek refuge (taʿawwudh), spit lightly to his left three times, and refrain from continuing the thought.
Scholarly Consensus
❀ Imām Muḥammad ibn Naṣr al-Marwazī (رحمه الله, d. 294H) said:
إن أهل العلم مجتمعون على أنه إذا شغل جارحة من جوارحه بعمل من غير عمل الصلاة، أو بفكر، وشغل قلبه بالنظر غير أمر الصلاة، أنه منقوص من ثواب من لم يفعل ذلك تاركا جزءا من تمام صلاته وكمالها
“The scholars are unanimous that if a worshipper engages any part of his body in an act other than prayer, or is distracted by a thought, or his heart becomes occupied with something unrelated to the prayer, then his reward will be less compared to one who did not do this. He will lose a portion of the fullness and perfection of his prayer.”
(Taʿẓīm Qadr al-Ṣalāh 1/172)
Qur’ānic Evidence
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ﴾
“Indeed, successful are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayer.”
(al-Muʾminūn 1-2)
Conclusion:Stray thoughts do not invalidate the prayer, but they reduce its reward. The believer should strive for khushūʿ, as true success lies in humble and focused prayer.
