FatwaFederal TerritoriesPrayer (Salah)
AL-KAFI #1951: HUKUM MEMALINGKAN WAJAH KETIKA SOLAT, ADAKAH MEMBATALKAN SOLAT?
Does turning the face to the right several times during congregational prayer to watch over belongings invalidate the prayer?
Short answer
Turning the face to the right or left does not invalidate the prayer as long as it is not done in jest.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Prayer (Salah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Turning the face to the right or left does not invalidate the prayer as long as it is not done in jest. It is disliked (makruh) when there is no need, but not disliked when there is a genuine need such as guarding belongings. If done deliberately in play with knowledge of the prohibition, it is forbidden and invalidates the prayer. The ruling advises placing belongings nearby or in front so repeated turning is unnecessary.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Tidak batal solat dengan memalingkan wajah ke kanan atau kiri jika bukan dengan tujuan untuk bermain-main.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #1951: HUKUM MEMALINGKAN WAJAH KETIKA SOLAT, ADAKAH MEMBATALKAN SOLAT?”, 16 August 2023. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/5724-al-kafi-1951-hukum-memalingkan-wajah-ketika-solat-adakah-membatalkan-solat. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/turning-face-during-prayer-invalidate-prayer/