Elements of Islamic Studies
Lesson 39: Actions that Invalidate Prayer
There are certain things or actions which invalidate a prayer:
- Hadath whether the greater or lesser, and whether intentionally or by mistake.
- Turning away from qibla.
- Anything which disturbs the prayer (i.e. anything which gives the impression that the person is not praying), like remaining silent for a considerable time, clapping the hands or jumping or indulging in actions other than the prayer.
- Speaking intentionally even a single letter (other than prayer or Qur'an or dhikr of Allah). But replying to Salaam al-Shar’i ('Salaamun Alaykum' or 'Assalaamu Alaykum') is allowed in the very same wordings.
- Laughing intentionally. Smiling does no harm to the prayer.
- Weeping intentionally for worldly affairs. But weeping in love or fear of Allah or because of remembering the suffering of Imam Husayn (A.S.) has no harm.
- Eating or drinking however little may be, whether intentionally or by mistake.
- Folding the hands intentionally as some non-Shi’ah sects do in the prayer.
- Saying ‘Amin' intentionally (with exception in certain cases) after Surah al-Hamd.
- If any of the conditions of prayer is violated. For instance, he realizes during prayer that his clothes are ghasbi.
- Doubt in first two rak’ats of a 4 rak’at prayer; or anywhere in a 2 rak’at or 3 rak’at prayer.
- Adding or leaving out any rukn of prayer.