“Scratch, scratch, scratch,” he itched his head for the third time. ‘Ahhhhh’ he yawned, as he opened his mouth wide. Tick-tock, and he bent to fix his socks. This man had ants in his pants, or perhaps it was the shaytaan playing with him and causing him to fidget so.

Notice how this only happens when you pray. Somehow, it will not happen when you are relaxing, no. It will neither happen whilst you are watching your favourite show, definitely not. It only happens when you lift your hands and pronounce, ‘Allahu Akbar,’ to begin your salah. Your skin becomes alive, and you are prone to itching, all sorts of pains you never knew you had, your hijab suddenly feels lop-sided, as you imagine it to frame your face horribly, your hair somehow seems to tickle your neck…..and you begin to fidget. And the more you try to hold back, the more it seems to come.

My friends, it is the Shaytaan who is distracting you from your prayer. And whilst khushu is difficult to attain you should know that fidgeting in the prayer is impermissible.

Allah commands us in the Qur’an, “and stand before Allah with obedience.” (02:283)

Thus when we stand before Allah, it should be with full attention and submission.

Imagine managing to secure an audience with the King or Queen of your country or even the Prime Minister. It would be a well-anticipated meeting, for which you would feel honoured and would hence prepare yourself well in advance. You would ensure your clothes were proper, perhaps you would wear your most expensive outfit. In His or Her Royal Highness’ presence you would ensure your best manners, you would give your undivided attention, and every itch and pain would have to wait for later.

Why? Why would we do this for mere human beings, who have little power, who would not bat an eyelid about our daily affairs, when the King of all Kings calls us, who cares for our every little matter, who cares about our salvation and wants the best for us? The One who truly deserves our undivided attention, who deserves our obedience and subservience, who bestows gifts upon us, who gave us life, who warrants an audience with you, you don’t even have to make any arrangements, this King, Allah Azza wa jal, has set it up for you. He waits for you throughout the days and night for you to call on Him, and yet when we stand before Him, we neglect His Magnitude. We forget before whom we are standing. Indeed, Allah Himself described the successful,

“Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their salaat with all solemnity and full submissiveness.” (23:1-2)

Allah has described the triumphant ones as those who are alert in their prayer, who concentrate and refrain from fidgeting.

In addition to this the scholars have explained, that excessive unnecessary movement and fidgeting in salaah invalidates it. There is no specific number of movements that invalidate the prayer, rather it is continuous unnecessary movements. However, if certain movements are necessary, whether small or large it does not invalidate one’s prayer. For example; once whilst praying the Prophet opened the door for Aishah to enter, as narrated by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmithi.

I end on this note, one should be attentive when praying and should not be distracted by their hair, beard, watch, clothes, itchiness etc…for it detracts from one’s Khushu, and reward. Remember the greatness of Allah when you stand before Him. Contemplate that you are standing before The Mighty, The Majestic One, The King of all Kings.