DISTRACTIONS DURING SALAAT

Hadhrat Aishah (radhiallahu anha) reports that once Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was performing Salaat in a garment that had some markings (patterns) on it. Upon completion of Salaat, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “The patterns on this (garment) distracted me (during Salaat). Take it to Abu Jahm and bring me (in its place) an Ambijaaniyah (a plain garment).” [Saheeh Muslim / Sunan Ibn Majah]

Hadhrat Anas (radhiallahu anha) reports that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to him, “O my son! Save yourself from being distracted in Salaat, because indeed distraction in Salaat is destruction.” [Sunan Tirmidhi] 

PLACING OF SPECTACLES DURING SALAAT

Many people who wear spectacles, remove them during Salaat and place them on the carpet in front of them. This is inappropriate for numerous reasons:

1.     It causes a distraction to those close by, because inadvertently, the eyes will fall on the spectacles laying there.

2.     If a space opens up in the saff ahead (i.e. the person’s wudhu breaks and he has to leave the Musjid), then the one who has his spectacles on the carpet will not be able to move forward. This will also apply if the space next to him opens up.

3.     If someone needs to exit the Musjid in a hurry whilst Jamaat is in progress, there is a fear that he may step on these spectacles laying on the ground.

IT IS ADVISABLE TO EITHER KEEP THE SPECTACLES ON DURING SALAAT OR PLACE THEM IN ONE’S POCKETS.

CELLPHONES IN THE MUSJID

The harms of placing a cellphone on the ground in front of one during Salaat is also inappropriate for all the above reasons. The biggest distraction here will be if the phone rings, vibrates or buzzes with messages.

 

IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED TO AVOID BRINGING CELLPHONES TO THE MUSJID at all. IF ONE HAS A CELLPHONE THEN IT MUST BE SWITCHED OFF TO AVOID ANY DISTRACTION IN THE HOUSE OF ALLAH TA`ALA!