Is the prayer of one who raises his hand while prostrating to silence a phone ring invalid, based on Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen's statement that whoever raises his hand while prostrating has invalidated his prayer?
If the hand is lifted or returned to the ground after being placed in prostration, this does not invalidate the pillar [of prostration], because the prostration has already occurred. However, this should not be done except out of necessity. The prayer of one who lifts his hand to turn off a phone is not invalidated, and it is better to turn it off before prayer.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen mentioned that lifting the hand or scratching during prostration does not invalidate the prayer unless it occurs throughout the entire duration of the prostration, such that the hand was not placed [on the ground] at all. However, if it is for part of the time, the matter is subject to consideration, and it is more cautious not to lift any of the prostrating limbs.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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