What is the ruling regarding someone who spits to their left during prayer while standing?
Saliva is the mouth's fluid once it exits it. It is permissible during prayer out of necessity, and it should be to the left or under the foot. It is not permissible to spit to the right or in front. If it is inside the mosque, it must be buried after expulsion. Spitting in the mosque is a sin, and its expiation is burying it. Spitting is not permissible in tiled and carpeted mosques because it cannot be buried and causes harm and transmits diseases. If there is someone to one's left, one should spit under their feet or on their clothes. The prohibition against spitting in front of the worshiper or to their right is because they are communing with their Lord, and there is an angel on their right. Is the prohibition specific to prayer or outside of it? There are two opinions, and the most preponderant is that it is not permissible inside or outside [prayer] out of respect for the right side, and it is more emphatic during prayer.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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