The Practising Muslim · Fiqh of Salah

Prayer Practices and Rulings in Fiqh

Test your understanding of specific rulings and practices during Islamic prayer.

9 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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9 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. How did the congregation turn when news came during prayer that the qiblah had changed?

  • The imam shifted to the back side of the mosque and the worshippers rearranged behind him. (correct answer)
  • The imam stopped the prayer and restarted it from the beginning.
  • They continued facing Jerusalem until the prayer ended.
  • Only the women turned, while the men stayed where they were.

Why

The change of the qiblah is proven in the Quran and Sunnah. When the news reached worshippers during prayer, they turned toward the Ka‘bah. The source explains that the imam shifted from the front to the back side of the mosque, and the men and women shifted so the rows were rearranged behind him.

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2. What du’a is specifically taught for Qunut in Witr?

  • A du’a asking Allah for guidance, pardon, friendship, blessing, and protection from evil. (correct answer)
  • A du’a only for current public calamities.
  • A du’a that replaces al-Fatihah.
  • A greeting to the angels on the right and left.

Why

Qunut in Witr is one of the places where du’a is offered in prayer. The source quotes the wording taught to al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, which asks Allah for guidance, pardon, friendship, blessing, and protection from the evil of what He has decreed.

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3. When may using a device to count rak‘ahs be useful?

  • When someone is very forgetful or affected by compulsive whispers and it helps them focus. (correct answer)
  • For every worshipper in every prayer.
  • Only if the device replaces sujud al-sahw.
  • Never, because counting rak‘ahs has no basis at all.

Why

Counting rak‘ahs has precedent, such as counting with a ring, pebbles, or fingers. A device may be permissible and useful for someone who is very forgetful or affected by compulsive whispers, if it truly helps. But in ordinary cases, it should not be used because it may distract from humility and focus.

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4. What should someone do if they start to stand for an extra rak‘ah and are reminded before fully standing?

  • Sit back down immediately without saying takbir. (correct answer)
  • Complete the extra rak‘ah deliberately.
  • Keep standing and recite tashahhud while standing.
  • End the prayer without sitting for tashahhud.

Why

If a worshipper starts to rise for an extra rak‘ah, they should sit back down as soon as they remember or are reminded. If they remember before they are no longer regarded as sitting, no sujud al-sahw is required according to the cited ruling. If they had risen enough to count as standing up, sujud al-sahw is done after the salam.

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5. When does the preferred time for ‘Asr prayer end?

  • When the sun turns yellow. (correct answer)
  • When the sun sets.
  • At a fixed clock time in every city.
  • Only when people finish work.

Why

The preferred time for ‘Asr ends when the sun turns yellow. It is best to pray near the beginning of the time, but delaying for employees to gather is allowed if the prayer is still offered before the sun turns yellow.

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6. May someone combine more than one narrated dhikr while bowing?

  • Yes, it is permissible to combine narrated adhkar if it does not cause hardship. (correct answer)
  • No, only one wording may ever be used.
  • No, extra dhikr invalidates the prayer.
  • Yes, but only if the basic dhikr was forgotten.

Why

Several authentic adhkar are narrated for bowing. A worshipper may say different ones at different times, and may also combine them in one bowing if that is possible without making things difficult for others.

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7. What is the difference between a pillar of prayer and an obligatory part?

  • A pillar must be done even if forgotten, while a forgotten obligatory part is compensated by sujud al-sahw. (correct answer)
  • A pillar is only for the imam, while an obligatory part is only for followers.
  • A pillar is always a physical action, while an obligatory part is always spoken.
  • A pillar can be skipped deliberately, while an obligatory part cannot.

Why

A pillar cannot be waived whether it is omitted deliberately or by mistake; it must be performed. An obligatory part is sinful to omit deliberately, but if it is forgotten, sujud al-sahw compensates for it.

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8. What is the ruling if someone swallows tiny food remnants that flow with saliva during prayer?

  • The prayer is not invalidated because such tiny remnants are difficult to avoid. (correct answer)
  • The prayer is invalidated in every case.
  • The prayer is invalidated unless the person repeats wudu.
  • The prayer is valid only if the remnants are chewed first.

Why

Swallowing ordinary saliva does not affect the prayer. Tiny food remnants between the teeth that flow with saliva are also excused because they are difficult to avoid. But a larger piece with substance should not be swallowed, and intentionally eating or chewing invalidates prayer.

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9. When is a patient’s prayer valid after taking necessary narcotic medicine?

  • When they still know what they are saying and doing. (correct answer)
  • When they are unconscious.
  • Only after the medicine fully leaves the body.
  • Never, because any narcotic medicine makes prayer invalid.

Why

Narcotic medicines are not allowed except for genuine medical need, in the prescribed amount, when doctors determine there is no suitable alternative. If the patient becomes unconscious or does not know what they are saying or doing, the prayer is not valid until awareness returns. If they remain aware, the prayer is valid.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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