SunnahAnswers · Fiqh Archive
Reference SA-0090
This is a curated archive of scholarly opinions for educational purposes. SunnahAnswers indexes existing answers from qualified scholars — we do not issue rulings ourselves.
Majmū' al-Fatāwā
Majmū'' al-Fatāwā 22/611–625
The salah is invalidated by anything which the Lawgiver has made a condition for its validity falling away during the prayer, or by an act foreign to it which the Lawgiver has prohibited. From these: (1) deliberate speech that is not part of the prayer; (2) loud laughter (audible to those near you); (3) eating or drinking deliberately; (4) excessive movement that is not from the prayer (three or more consecutive movements not needed); (5) breaking wudu'' (passing wind, urine, stool, deep sleep, etc.); (6) deliberately leaving any pillar or condition such as the takbiratul-ihram, qira''ah of al-Fatiha, ruku'', sujud, or the final tashahhud; (7) facing away from the qiblah without excuse; (8) major impurity (janabah) occurring during prayer; (9) intentionally adding a pillar — such as an extra ruku'' or sujud — knowing it is forbidden; (10) the entry of riddah (apostasy) into the heart in the form of disbelief during the prayer. Forgetfulness in any of the above involves sujud as-sahw, not invalidation, in cases where the Sunnah has clarified.
Key Takeaway
Speech, laughter, eating, breaking wudu, or omitting a pillar invalidates the prayer. Forgetfulness has its own remedy in sujud as-sahw.
Librarians, not Muftis
SunnahAnswers is a curated index of scholarly opinions — we collect, organize, translate, and present them. We do not author or rule. For binding rulings on your specific situation, consult a qualified scholar.
Ref: SA-0090 · Report an issue
More from Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah
What are the Six Articles of Faith?
"They are six articles which a believer must affirm without distinction or partial acceptance: belief in Allah (His existence, Lordship, sole…"
Who are the Salaf and why is following their understanding important?
"The Salaf as-Salih are the first three generations whom the Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly praised: "The best of people is my generation, then those…"
Why do Muslims pray five times a day?
"The five daily prayers were obligated upon the Prophet (ﷺ) on the night of al-Isra'' wal-Mi''raj when he was raised above the seven heavens…"
What is the importance of Salah in Islam?
"Salah is the pillar of the religion: whoever establishes it has established the religion, and whoever destroys it has destroyed the religion…"
Can I pray without wudu?
"There is no salah without ṭahārah (purification), by the consensus of the scholars. Allah said: "O you who believe, when you rise to pray, w…"
Why do Muslims pray five times a day?
"The five daily prayers were obligated upon the Prophet (ﷺ) on the night of al-Isra'' wal-Mi''raj when he was raised above the seven heavens…"
What is the ruling on intentionally missing a prayer?
"Abandoning the prayer is of two situations. The first is denial of its obligation — by consensus this is kufr that expels from Islam, regard…"
Archived from sunnahanswers.com/fiqh/salah/what-invalidates-salah · Reference SA-0090
SunnahAnswers acts as a librarian — not a mufti. Consult a qualified scholar for binding rulings.