Does Internal Laughter Invalidate One’s Prayer?
Question
Does Internal Laughter Invalidate One’s Prayer?
Answer
Question Summary
During my prayer, I sometimes recall something amusing and try to avoid laughing by keeping it in my thoughts. Does this action invalidate my prayer?
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Laughing internally (without any sounds) will not affect the validity of one’s prayer. Allowing oneself to be distracted by external thoughts and distractions during prayer is inappropriate and could diminish the rewards and benefits of the prayer, and Allah knows best.
Intentional Sounds
The prayer is invalidated (if one has no excuse) by uttering two or more letters or when two or more letters worth of sounds, such as laughter, crying, groaning, clearing the throat, blowing, sighing, or similar, are audible. [Misri, ‘Umdat al-Salik]
The consideration is two letters worth of audible sound, whether someone heard it or not, and Allah knows best.
Unintended Sounds
It is also invalidated by much (i.e., more than six words worth of) sound, even when there is a valid excuse such as blurting out words unthinkingly, laughter or coughing overcoming one, absentmindedly speaking, or when one speaks because as a new Muslim one does not know it is unlawful during the prayer; though with such an excuse a slight amount of speech does not invalidate the prayer. [ibid.]
One’s prayer is invalid if one speaks knowing that it is unlawful but ignorant of the fact that it invalidates the prayer, and it is also invalid if one says “Aah” during it out of fear of hell. [ibid.]
Focus in Prayer
Allah says: “Successful indeed are the believers: those who humble themselves in prayer…” [Quran, 23:1-2]
This verse underscores the importance of humility and submission during prayer, indicating that true believers approach their prayers with reverence and humility. Please consult this valuable SeekersGuidance resource on Nine Keys to Presence of Heart in Prayer by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.Nine Keys to Presence of Heart in Prayer by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
