Is turning the head during prayer an innovation or does it invalidate the prayer?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Turning in prayer is of several types:
1. Turning with the chest: This invalidates the prayer because it violates the condition of facing the Qiblah.
2. Turning with the head or eye only: This is disliked (makrooh) and diminishes the reward, unless it is for a necessity, in which case there is no dislike. Its permissibility for a necessity has been established by prophetic traditions.
3. Turning with the heart: This refers to the worshiper's preoccupation with thoughts and whispers, which is a snatching that Satan snatches from the servant's prayer, and it diminishes the prayer.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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