Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله)
Question:
What should I do if I am performing Salah and the doorbell rings, and there is no one else at home to attend to it?
In such cases, if it is possible to notify the person at the door without breaking the prayer, then the following should be done:
"If something happens during the prayer, men should say 'SubhanAllah,' and women should clap their hands."
[Agreed Upon]
If distance or inaudibility makes this ineffective, and there is a pressing need, it is permissible to break the prayer. However, the prayer will need to be started afresh from the beginning. Alhamdulillah.
Question:
What should I do if I am performing Salah and the doorbell rings, and there is no one else at home to attend to it?
Answer:
If the prayer is Nafl (voluntary), it is permissible to break the prayer and check who is at the door. However, in the case of Fard (obligatory) prayer, hastening is not appropriate unless it is an urgent matter and there is a risk of losing something important.In such cases, if it is possible to notify the person at the door without breaking the prayer, then the following should be done:
- A male worshipper should say "SubhanAllah" to alert the person.
- A female worshipper should clap her hands as a means of notification.
"If something happens during the prayer, men should say 'SubhanAllah,' and women should clap their hands."
[Agreed Upon]
If distance or inaudibility makes this ineffective, and there is a pressing need, it is permissible to break the prayer. However, the prayer will need to be started afresh from the beginning. Alhamdulillah.
