Is it objectionable to perform prayers with a smart prayer rug that counts the rak’ahs?
- I have heard that they produce smart prayer rugs; is it permissible to perform prayers on a prayer rug that shows the rak’ahs with the lights on it and that counts tasbihat (dhikr) to prevent confusing thanks to a device added on it?
Dear Brother / Sister,
As it is indicated in the Quran (al-Mu’minun, 23/2), it is essential for a person who performs a prayer to concentrate on worshipping by getting rid of all kinds of outer factors and distractors and to perform it in khushu (awe).
Therefore, Islamic scholars say that it is makruh to have excessive ornaments in the mosques and on the place of prostration since they can distract people’s attention and prevent khushu. The prayer rug you call “rak’ah counter” is not an appropriate practice for healthy people since it will prevent khushu and distract the attention of the person who performs prayers.
However, if those who have some mental and neurological diseases like senility and forgetfulness cannot remember the numbers of rak’ahs, they can use devices like “rak’ah counters” or prayer rugs devised for it.
Questions on Islam
- How many rak’ahs does witr prayer consist of? It is said that witr prayer is one rak’ah; is it true?
- Why do we need to read Subhanaka supplication when we stand up for the third rak’ah after the first sitting when we perform the sunnah prayers of the afternoon (asr) and night (isha) prayers?
- Why do we read Salli and Barik supplications in the first sitting of the first sunnah prayers of the afternoon and night prayers?
- Which one is more virtuous: 10 rak’ahs in 10 minutes or 2 rak’ahs in 10 minutes?
- Is it permissible to perform prayers on prayer rugs (sajjada) that have pictures of the Kaaba the Great, al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque), al-Aqsa Mosque and other mosques?
- Is it permissible to perform the sunnah prayers of the afternoon and night prayers as two rak’ahs?
- Is it permissible to shorten the first sunnahs of four rak’ahs as two rak’ahs in order to catch up with the congregation?
- If a musafir (traveler) who follows an imam who is a resident exits prayer by saluting after the second rak’ah though he has to perform four rak’ahs, is his prayer valid?
- How can I exit a prayer if I understand that I have made a mistake?
- Does a Shafii person who starts to follow the imam in the second rak’ah read "Wajjahtu" supplication?
