Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
Narrated by Uqbah bin Al-Harith (رضي الله عنه):
"I offered the Asr prayer behind the Prophet (ﷺ) in Madinah. When he finished the prayer with salam, he got up quickly, stepping over the necks of people, and went to one of his wives' rooms. The people were alarmed at his urgency. When he returned, he saw that they were surprised at his haste. So, he said: 'I remembered some gold in our house and disliked for it to distract me, so I ordered it to be distributed.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 851]
This Hadith shows that if something crosses one's mind during Salah, it does not invalidate the prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) himself remembered something during Salah, yet he did not repeat his prayer.
Narrated by Uthman bin Abi Al-As (رضي الله عنه):
"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! The Shaytan comes between me and my Salah and my recitation, confusing me.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'That is a Shaytan named Khanzab. If you feel his influence, seek refuge in Allah (say: A'udhu Billahi Minash-Shaytanir-Rajeem) and spit lightly three times to your left.' Uthman (رضي الله عنه) said: 'I did that, and Allah removed the Shaytan's interference from me.'"
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith 5738]
Key takeaway: If you experience distracting whispers (waswasa) during Salah:
✔ Say "A'udhu Billahi Minash-Shaytanir-Rajeem" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan).
✔ Lightly spit (dry spit) three times to your left.
✔ Continue praying with focus—this will help remove distractions.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
"The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Allah has forgiven my Ummah for the thoughts and whispers that come to their hearts, as long as they do not act upon them or verbalize them.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2528]
This Hadith reassures us that involuntary thoughts during Salah are not sinful, and they do not invalidate the prayer.
Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه):
"Sometimes while I am in prayer, my thoughts go to my army (deployed for battle)."
[Nayl al-Awtar 2/383]
Even the Sahabah (Companions) experienced distracting thoughts during Salah, yet they did not consider their prayers invalid.
✔ Remember that the more focused your prayer is, the greater the reward.
✔ Minimize external distractions (e.g., turn off devices, find a quiet place).
✔ Make sincere dua before Salah: "O Allah, help me focus in my prayer."
Note: The reward of Salah decreases with distractions, so one should strive for khushu' (concentration) to maximize the spiritual benefits.
[Fatwa based on the Qur’an and Sunnah]
Question:
During Salah (prayer), we experience various distracting thoughts and whispers (waswasa). Do these affect the validity of our Salah, or does the prayer become invalid? Please provide guidance from the Qur'an and Sunnah.Answer:
Having distracting thoughts or whispers during Salah does not invalidate the prayer. This is evident from the following authentic Hadith: Narrated by Uqbah bin Al-Harith (رضي الله عنه):"I offered the Asr prayer behind the Prophet (ﷺ) in Madinah. When he finished the prayer with salam, he got up quickly, stepping over the necks of people, and went to one of his wives' rooms. The people were alarmed at his urgency. When he returned, he saw that they were surprised at his haste. So, he said: 'I remembered some gold in our house and disliked for it to distract me, so I ordered it to be distributed.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 851]
This Hadith shows that if something crosses one's mind during Salah, it does not invalidate the prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) himself remembered something during Salah, yet he did not repeat his prayer.A Remedy for Waswasa in Salah
Narrated by Uthman bin Abi Al-As (رضي الله عنه):"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! The Shaytan comes between me and my Salah and my recitation, confusing me.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'That is a Shaytan named Khanzab. If you feel his influence, seek refuge in Allah (say: A'udhu Billahi Minash-Shaytanir-Rajeem) and spit lightly three times to your left.' Uthman (رضي الله عنه) said: 'I did that, and Allah removed the Shaytan's interference from me.'"
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith 5738]
Key takeaway: If you experience distracting whispers (waswasa) during Salah:✔ Say "A'udhu Billahi Minash-Shaytanir-Rajeem" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan).
✔ Lightly spit (dry spit) three times to your left.
✔ Continue praying with focus—this will help remove distractions.
Waswasa Does Not Invalidate Salah
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):"The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Allah has forgiven my Ummah for the thoughts and whispers that come to their hearts, as long as they do not act upon them or verbalize them.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2528]
This Hadith reassures us that involuntary thoughts during Salah are not sinful, and they do not invalidate the prayer. Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه):"Sometimes while I am in prayer, my thoughts go to my army (deployed for battle)."
[Nayl al-Awtar 2/383]
Even the Sahabah (Companions) experienced distracting thoughts during Salah, yet they did not consider their prayers invalid.Final Advice: Focus in Salah for Greater Reward
✔ Ignore the distracting thoughts and continue focusing on Salah.✔ Remember that the more focused your prayer is, the greater the reward.
✔ Minimize external distractions (e.g., turn off devices, find a quiet place).
✔ Make sincere dua before Salah: "O Allah, help me focus in my prayer."
Note: The reward of Salah decreases with distractions, so one should strive for khushu' (concentration) to maximize the spiritual benefits. [Fatwa based on the Qur’an and Sunnah]