What is the ruling on parting the hair during prayer?

"Parting the hair" means dividing it into two sections from the middle of the head, and this is permissible before prayer; in fact, it was one of the practices of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. As for tying up the hair during prayer when prostrating, it is unanimously disliked, based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas: "The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was commanded to prostrate on seven limbs and not to tie up his hair or garment." "Tying up" (al-kaff) means not gathering the hair or tightening its braid to prevent it from touching the ground. This prohibition applies to everyone who prays in such a manner, whether they intended it for the prayer or not. As for parting the hair during prayer, it is a form of fidgeting that contradicts devoutness, and at the very least, it is disliked.