Imaam’s cellphone ringing during Salaah

Question:-

Whilst performing Asr Salaah, the Imaam’s cell phone rang, with sadness the ringtone was of a musical nature. The phone rang at least thrice and in different postures and he cut the call.

What is the status of the validity of this Salaah ?

Answer:-

If the phone rang thrice, which he switched off in three different postures with minimal movement, then the Salaah will be valid but Makrooh. However, if switching off the phone involved excessive movement (such as the usage of both hands, or an onlooker would get the impression that the Imaam was not in Salaah, or the Imaam himself considers his movements to be excessive which is referred to as ‘Amal-e-Katheer’) then the Salaah will be invalid. The Imaam should thus decide in regards to the validity of his Salaah.

However, even if the Salaah is valid, it is totally inappropriate for the Imaam to be using a musical ringtone on his phone. It is totally understood that we are humans and could possibly forget to switch off the phone before Salaah but the ringtone of the Imaam shouldn’t be of a Haraam nature. If the phone happens to ring as in this instance, then at least Haraam music wouldn’t be playing in the Masjid. Also, the Imaam should be an example to his congregation, one who is worthy of being emulated. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all towards righteousness. Ameen!

والعمل الكثير —— باب ما يفسد الصلوة (ثمرة النجاح ص305)

والعمل القليل —– باب ما يكره للمصلي (ثمرة النجاح ص340)

فصل وَيكرهُ مصلي أَن يعبث بِثَوْبِهِ أَو بجسده وَلَا يقلب الْحَصَى إِلَّا أَن لَا يُمكنهُ من السُّجُود فيسويه مرّة وَاحِدَة (بداية المبتدي ص19 ج1)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 28 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1444 / 23 November 2022