Rocking to and fro in Salaah
Question:-
Is it permissible to rock one’s body to & fro whilst performing Salaah. Also, some people whilst reciting Qur’aan, or making Dhikr, rock to & fro. Is this allowed?
Answer:-
It is recorded in the Tafseer Roohul Ma’aani under the verse:
وقوموا لله قانتين
And stand humbly before Allah
that one should stand with complete obedience, in the best possible manner, without any interference in those things which demand obedience.
مكملين الطاعة ومتمميها علي احسن وجه من غير اخلال بشيء مما يبتغي فيها (روح المعاني ص107 ج2)
Hence, one should endeavour to perform Salaah with concentration, devotion and total ease. In Salaah, one should not move any limb of the body unnecessarily even though Salaah is not invalidated due to minimal movement. Yes, when there is excessive movement to the extent that the onlooker thinks that one is not in Salaah, then Salaah will become Faasid. In conclusion, although Salaah will not be invalidated by moving to and fro, such movement will be against the etiquettes of Salaah.
اعلم ان اصل الصلاة ثلاثة أشياء : ان يخضع لله تعالي بقلبه , ويذكر الله بلسانه , ويعظمه غاية التعظيم بحسده , فهذه الثلاثة اجمع الأمم علي انها من الصلاة (حجة الله البالغة ص30 ج2)
وَقَدْ حُكِيَ إجْمَاعُ الْعَارِفِينَ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَّ مِنْ لَوَازِمِهِ: ظُهُورَ الذُّلِّ، وَغَضَّ الطَّرْفِ، وَخَفْضَ الصَّوْتِ، وَسُكُونَ الْأَطْرَافِ (رد المحتار ص641 ج1)
وَإِنْ حَرَّكَ رِجْلًا وَاحِدَةً لَا عَلَى الدَّوَامِ لَا تَفْسُدُ صَلَاتُهُ وَإِنْ حَرَّكَ رِجْلَيْهِ تَفْسُدُ وَاعْتَبَرَ هَذَا الْقَائِلُ الْعَمَلَ بِالرِّجْلَيْنِ بِالْعَمَلِ بِالْيَدَيْنِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِرِجْلٍ وَاحِدَةٍ، وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: إنْ حَرَّكَ رِجْلَيْهِ قَلِيلًا لَا تَفْسُدُ صَلَاتُهُ. كَذَا فِي الْمُحِيطِ وَهُوَ الْأَوْجَهُ. هَكَذَا فِي الْبَحْرِ الرَّائِقِ. (الفتاوي الهندية ص103 ج1)+
2. When reciting Quraan Sharif, one is required to sit with respect and honour. However, slight movement of the body is not regarded as disrespect hence, there is no harm to recite Quraan Sharif with a slight movement, particularly if such movement is not considered as necessary but it is rather due to one’s habit.
[Re:- Kifaayatul Mufti Pg.462 Vol.2 Haashiya no.1]
3. The loud Zikr practiced in the Khanqahs, together with the movement of the head, is carried out as a cure for spiritual illnesses. Such movement creates heat which is beneficial in the path of Sulook. Besides this movement, there is no need for any other form of movement (when engaging in Zikrullah).
[Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg.328 /329 Vol.6]
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 24 Safar 1444 / 21 September 2022