Riyad as-Salihin, 700

Mu'awiyah bin Al-Hakam As-Sulami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

While I was in Salat with Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a man in the congregation sneezed and I responded with: 'Yarhamuk-Allah (Allah have mercy on you).' The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So I said: "May my mother lose me. Why are you staring at me?" Thereupon, they began to strike their thighs with their hands. When I saw them urging to me to remain silent, I became angry but restrained myself. When Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) concluded his Salat. I have never before seen an instructor who gave better instruction than he, may my father and mother be sacrificed for him. He neither remonstrated me, nor beat me, nor abused me. He simply said,"It is not permissible to talk during Salat because it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring His Greatness as well as recitation of the Qur'an," or he said words to that effect." I said: "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) , I have but recently accepted Islam, and Allah has favoured us with Islam. There are still some people among us who go to consult soothsayers." He said, "Do not consult them." Then I said: "There are some of us who are guided by omens." He said, "These things which come to their minds. They should not be influenced by them." (Muslim).

وعن معاوية بن الحكم السلمي رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ ‏"‏بينا أنا أصلي مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، إذا عطس رجل من القوم فقلت‏:‏ يرحمك الله، فرماني القوم بأبصارهم ‏!‏ فقلت‏:‏ واثكل أمياه ‏!‏ ما شأنكم تنظرون إلى‏؟‏ فجعلوا يضربون بأيديهم على أفخاذهم ‏!‏ فلما رأيتهم يصمتونني لكنى سكت‏.‏ فلما صلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فبأبي هو وأمي، ما رأيت معلما قبله ولا بعده أحسن تعليماً منه، فوالله ما كهرني ولا ضربني ولا شتمني، قال‏:‏ ‏"‏إن هذه الصلاة لا يصلح فيها شئ من كلام الناس، إنما هى التسبيح والتكبير، وقراءة القرآن‏"‏ أو كما قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قلت‏:‏ يا رسول الله، إنى حديث عهد بجاهلية، وقد جاء الله بالإسلام، وإن منا رجالً يأتون الكهان‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏فلا تأتهم، قلت‏:‏ ومنا رجال يتطيرون‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ذاك شئ يجدونه في صدورهم، فلا يصدهم‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 1, Hadith 21

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) Little movement during prayer does not harm, for the Companions, as related in the Hadith, began to strike their thighs with their hands, and the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not criticize their act. 2) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach people in a kind and lenient manner. A person should treat people in a way that suits them. 3) Preachers and teachers should adhere to the Prophet’s way in preaching the ignorant. Note: There is common belief among some Muslims that three movements during prayer nullifies it. This opinion, expressed in such general sense, is wrong. A person should be well aware of the types of movements in prayer: 1) Nullifying movement: This is the frequent successive movement without need, to the extent that those who see the praying person would think he is not in prayer. An example is when he brings out his wallet, searches it, and then returns it to its place. 2) Disliked movement: This is the little movement without need, like when he turns his watch, for example. 3) Permissible movement: This is the little movement for some need, like keeping away flies that fall on the worshiper’s face. 4) Recommended or required movement: An example is stepping forward or backwards for the benefit of prayer, like straightening a curved row or closing a gap in a row. And Allah knows best. Benefit: There are three types of people who go to a soothsayer: First: He goes and asks him and does not believe him. If anyone does so, his prayer shall not be accepted for forty days. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If anyone goes to a soothsayer and asks him about something, no prayer will be accepted from him for forty nights.” [Narrated by Muslim] Second: He goes to him and asks him and believes him. This is an act of disbelief, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If anyone goes to a soothsayer or a diviner and believes what he says, he has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” [Narrated by Ahmad] Third: He asks him with the intention to belie him. He wants to test him and expose his falsehood among people. There is nothing wrong with that. This is even recommended, because it refutes the untruth.

Related hadiths3