Actions while Praying

Sahih al-Bukhari 1217

Hadith Text

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent me for some job and when I had finished it I returned and came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and greeted him but he did not return my greeting. So I felt so sorry that only Allah knows it and I said to myself, 'Perhaps Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) is angry because I did not come quickly, then again I greeted him but he did not reply. I felt even more sorry than I did the first time. Again I greeted him and he returned the greeting and said, "The thing which prevented me from returning the greeting was that I was praying." And at that time he was on his Rahila and his face was not towards the Qibla.

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith establishes several important principles regarding prayer. First, it demonstrates that speaking during prayer invalidates it, as the Prophet (ﷺ) refrained from returning the greeting while praying. Second, it shows the permissibility of praying while riding an animal (Rahila) when necessary, even without facing the Qibla. Third, it teaches that one should not respond to greetings while engaged in prayer. The Prophet's delayed explanation after completing his prayer indicates that necessary speech after prayer is permitted to clarify matters. This narration also illustrates the companions' deep reverence for the Prophet, as seen in the narrator's distress when his greeting went unanswered.

Legal Rulings Derived

1. Prayer remains valid even when performed while riding and not facing Qibla during travel.

2. Responding to greetings during prayer is prohibited as it constitutes worldly speech.

3. Necessary speech after completing prayer is permissible for valid reasons.

4. The state of prayer takes precedence over social courtesies like returning greetings.