Prayer

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. If some one has a medical problem which necessitates the use of a medicated bandage that has to be left on the foot for approximately a week without removal, is it be permissible to make wudu’ (ablution) over the bandage? What if it's not a serious condition but could become worse if left untreated? Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum. Very often when I stand up to pray, I have doubts in my mind as to whether my purification or wudu' has been nullified or not. What should I do in such a situation: Should I leave the salah and purify myself and then resume my salah, or should I simply continue my salah and not bother about such doubts?

When I enter the mosque and the muezzin is making the Adhan, should I pray tahiyyat al-masjid (two rak`ahs to greet the mosque) or should I repeat after the muezzin while standing, and then pray tahiyyat al-masjid?

The Mufti of North Turkey gave a fatwa to the effect that Turkish people may recite the Qur’an in Turkish instead of Arabic during Prayer, since they do not speak or understand Arabic. Is this lawful in the viewpoint of Islam?

As-salamu `alaykum Is there any virtue in praying two rak`ahs after performing wudu’?

As-Salamu `Alaykum. If a person has doubts in his Salah, i.e. not sure whether he has prayed three Rak`ahs or four, what should he do?

As-Salam `alaykum. Is it permissible for men and women to perform prayer while wearing tight clothes?

Should one repeat the Tashahhud after sujud as-sahw?

As-Salamu `alaykum. When we pray we must think of Allah. How do we get into this frame of mind and keep our attention concentrated on Allah?

If a Muslim knowingly prays in an incorrect manner such as sitting the wrong way, bowing improperly, and so on, will the prayer still be counted?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. How does a praying person return a greeting while performing Prayer?

As-Salamu `alaykum. When praying individually at home, is it required to say the adhan and Iqamah before each prayer?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I would like to know if the Witr Prayer is obligatory or Sunnah. Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum. As Imams stay in mosques and are paid money for leading prayers, can they take money in return?

As-Salamu `alaykum. Is it permitted to pray in one's home if the Mosque is one and a half miles away. I don't hear the Adhan.

As-Salamu `alaykum! Al-Hamdulillah, I have been Muslim all my life. Both my parents embraced Islam at a very early age. I recently moved to a new community where my Muslim sisters in Islam have told me that I must wear socks for my prayer to be accepted. Because I am not sure of the legitimacy of this saying, I am now wearing socks while I pray until I can determine an authentic ruling. Please give your advice. May Allah reward you!

Scholars of Islam, as-Salamu `alaykum. Is it mandatory to say Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Rahim (in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful) before reciting the surah that follows the recitation of Surat Al-Fatihah in prayer?

As-Salamu `alaykum. I live near a Masjid that suffers from overcrowding on Friday Prayers. The board of trustees decided to make two Jumu`ahs(Friday Prayers). Thus, can we have more than one Jumu`ah Prayer in one mosque? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

I would like to ask you some questions regarding salah and some of its practices. I have heard in salah we do not say “amen” after the imam says “amen.” Is that true?

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `alaykum. My question is about witr prayer: I know that witr prayer is three rak`ahs. But I heard that it can be one rak`ah. Can you please provide me any reference for one rak`ah witr prayer (if any). Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salaam `Alaykum. My question is on raising index finger while sitting for Tashahhud at prayer. Some people tap their index finger continuously, while some people raise their finger and quickly put it down again. Please explain the correct method of raising the index finger. Is there a Sahih Hadith about 'tapping' the index finger continuously as if one is pelting Satan? Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `Alaykum. Sometimes when I pray Dhur and `Asr I forget the Tashahhud in between (i.e. the Tashahhud between 2nd and 3rd Rak`ah). Facing this, what shall I do? Do I have to repeat the prayer once again. Jazakum Allah Khayran.

Dear Sheikh, As-salamu `alaykum. I'd like to know whether it's Sunnah or wajib (obligatory) for a man to cover his head in prayer.

Can I repeat the obligatory Prayer that I performed when I find another congregation?

Recently, we heard about some people claiming that it is improper to recite Surah 80 and Surah111 of the Qur’an in the congregationnal prayer as the first Surah. They justify this by sa ying that these Surahs ascribe faults to the Prophet, and the second one talks about the Prophet’s uncle Abu Lahab being punished in the Hellfire. How can such claims be refuted?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. There is confusion among us women regarding whether it is permissible to perform the prayer (salah) with cosmetics and lipstick on. Some of us say that a woman may apply lipstick, etc., after wudu’ (ablution) and then she can offer her prayers. Others among us say that a woman's prayer cannot be accepted when she is wearing lipstick. Please explain what is the right position?

Assalaamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuhu, Bismillah , I have various questions.I would be glad if you help me.I am confused about prayer in congregation.I have read in many books that we have to recite surah fatiha in every namaz.I have a doubt that whether we should recite surah fatiha in the prayer which is recited aloud that is the fajr,maghrib and isha prayer.I read in a fatwa on islamonline.net with id - 1119503544082 that we have to remain silent when imam recites surah fatiha and recite surah fatiha during silent prayers but when i asked in a fatwa about this question on this site , fatwa reference no - 5SH1Bq, the sheikh said that during prayers when imam recites loudly, one has to recite surah fatiha after him.What does after him means?After everyone says ameen should we then recite surah fatiha?please help me on this issue.My other question was about zakat.do one have to give zakat on what he earns or what he save?I earn weekly, so should i give zakat on what i earn?.My last question is about alcohol.I work in a supermarket where i have to put groceries and other items in bags and give to the customers.Some customers(americans) buy alcohol.so i have to put alcohol bottles in the bag. Is that prohibited to put the bottle in the bag and give to the non-muslims? -- My other question is about wudu-Prophet Muhammed(P.B.U.H) said that breaking wind nullifies wudu,but he(P.B.U.H) didn't say the solution of what to do if anyone have problem of breaking wind.He(P.B.U.H) said that every innovation is misguidance.How do we deal with any matter which was not during prophet's(P.B.U.H) but it is now ? Does it considered innovation ? How many times should a person's wudu break in order to be put into category of disabled ? If a person's (who doesn't have any problem of breaking wind) wudu break while he is performing wudu,does he have to start again or he could continue doing the wudu ?The fatwa says that if a person has a problem with breaking wind, he have to make wudu once, and then he could pray,does it apply touching quran also?  If two ulema's have different opinions , whom to believe ? If an imam leading prayers at wrong time , is it permissible to pray alone at correct time ? I am concerned about this hadith - In one Hadith, two reasons have been cited for the punishment in the grave:a) Not exercising precaution from the splashes of urine drops,b) Gossiping.Here in United States there is no water available for cleaning ourselves but i use toilet paper and make sure that no urine is left but after like 5 t0 10 minutes , when i try sitting , some drops come out , i try my best to prevent myself but still can't do . Is my  interpretation of hadith correct which is - A person in punished who is careless about preventing one from urine but a person who is not careless, tries his best to prevent himself , but sometimes cannot prevent himself is not punished.What if go home and wash myself ? Does i considered as a person who doesn't prevent oneself? If a person is memorizing quran and he comes to an ayah where there is prostration,then does he have to prostate everytime he repeats that ayah in order to memorize ? There are thousands of hadiths , what if a person doesn't know some and he is practicing wrong ? Can a person touch quran which is covered by a cloth,without wudu? In a hadith i have read that if one hungry or if the food is ready,he has to eat first even if the salaat has started , is it permissible to miss the prayer or a part of the prayer for eating food if one is hungry? When is it necessary to perform sajda suhu ? Is it performed when a person recites some thing wrong or forgets something to recite ? do we have to do sajda suhu if we pronunce the word wrong like in surah fatiha instead of waladhaaalen , we pronunce waladaleen ? What is the best way to learn quranic arabic , I want to memorize quran and also learn arabic so that when i recite in prayer i could reflect upon myself and have focus on prayer . What is the reward of memorizing quran according to hadith ? Is knowing the meaning of quran fardh so that we could practice on it ?Please answer these questions as soon as possible , Jazakallah.

Can we join and shorten prayers when traveling (zuhr and asr, maghrib and isha') in a plane or train without performing ablution and without facing the qiblah because the situation and condition of the plane have made impossible to do so? Do the prayers count, or do we have to repeat the prayers again?

Scholars of Islam, as-Salamu `alaykum. Is it ok to pray in the men's dressing room in gyms and clubs. These dressing rooms are connected to toilets and showers. A lot of non-Muslims use them too.

Dear scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I have a question about where to place our hands after the opening takbir (takbirat al-ihram) in salah (Prayer): Are we supposed to place our hands below the navel or above it or on our chest? Someone told me the other day that it was incorrect to place the hands below the navel, as we are required to place them on the chest. I have been brought up in the Hanafi School, and I have been taught all along to place my hands below the navel while praying. I would like you to clarify this issue for me. Jazakum Allah khayran.

What is the detailed explanation for moving the forefinger during the Tashahhud, and is there a hadith about that?

Recently, we heard about some Muslim women in the United States claiming that it is permissible for them to lead a public, mixed-gender Friday Prayer. What is Islam’s stance on this? As far as I know, a Muslim woman can’t lead people in Friday Prayer and she is not also allowed to deliver the F riday sermon. Please clarify this issue as there is uproar here among the Muslims.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I have missed three prayers, do I have to pray them in the order in which they were missed? Or does the order not make any difference? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Aslamualaikum, My question is regarding the prayers. I m in Sweden for my studies,and the interval between the prayer timings is very small here.At this time we are offering our Duhr p rayer at 11:30 and Asar at 13:30, this interval will become even shorter later.and the free or break time from class for us is only from 12:00 to 13:00, in which we can offer our prayers. Can we offer the zuhr and asar prayer together? and can we offer Qaza of the magrib prayer because of having our class at maghrib's time?thanks

assalamu alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh respected scholars... may Allah accept and reward your efforts on helping our Ummah, ameen ya rab. may question is the following : are we allowed to ask Allah in our duaas, to take someone away from our lives ? the person in question is my "husband", and he neither provide for us nor treat me and his children in an appropriate way. He abuses me mentally and threats me that if i seek for a divorce i wouldnt see my children ever again. And for these children, he does nothing, neither pay for their clothing nor live with us, living with another woman, whom he married for money issues. In this situation and saying also that i am completely alone inthe country where i l ive ( germany) having my family in my origin country and no one that could help me in this situation, i often turn to Allah in my duaas, asking HIm to take this man out of my life, since he is only a burden, and neither a good husband nor a good father.  even sometimes ( and may Allah forgive me if this is a sin ), i wish for him to be dead, so icould free myself from this weight and carry on with my children as i do now, only without his threatens and bad treats. Inshaa Allah you can help me with this qustion. Jazakum Allahu khayran. fi aman Allah, wa salam.

 Assalamu'alaikum dear scholars. The local Imam hear makes controversial statements in his khutbah, After most Jummahs instead of feeling good I feel depressed and disgusted. My problem today is the statement that he made saying that in his opinion their is no more Jihad for the sake of Allah today. Some say you should not take this literal, but aren't things in Fiqh and the Kitab of Allah taken literal before allegorical? And why would he say such a thing, and what is the benefit. Should you not clarify your statement? My main question is can I choose not to pray behind someone who openly denies Jihad for the sake of Allah? May Allah bless the Scholars and islamonline.net for the benefiting our Ummah.

As-Salamu `alaykum. My question is regarding a hadith I received in my e-mail. I just want to know if it is authentic before I pass it on. The hadith is as follows: The one who disdains the prayers will receive 15 punishments from Allah, 6 punishments in this lifetime, 3 while dying, 3 in the grave, and 3 on the Day of Judgment. The 6 punishments of life are1. Allah takes away blessings from his age (makes his life misfortunate). 2. Allah does not accept his du`aa’. 3. Allah erases the features of good people from his face. 4. He will be detested by all creatures on earth. 5. Allah does not award him for his good deeds. 6. He will not be included in the du`aa’ of good people. The 3 punishments while dying are1. He dies humiliated. 2. He dies hungry. 3. He dies thirsty. Even if he drinks the water of all the seas he will still be thirsty. The 3 punishments in the grave are1. Allah tightens his grave until his ribs come over each other.2. Allah pours on him fire with embers. 3. Allah sets on him a snake called "the brave", "the bold" which hits him from morning until afternoon for leaving Fajr Prayer, from the afternoon until `Asr for leaving Zhuhr Prayer and so on. With each strike he sinks 70 yards under the ground. The 3 punishments on the Day of Judgment are1. Allah sends who would accompany him to hell pulling him on the face. 2. Allah gives him an angry look that makes the flesh of his face fall down. 3. Allah judges him strictly and orders him to be thrown in hell.

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. If the imam leads the people in Prayer while they dislike him, will his Prayer be accepted?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. What is the minimal number required for performing the Prayer in congregation?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Can the imam stand on something raised or higher ground while leading the Prayer? Can the ones following him stand on something raised or higher ground?

A man entered the mosque after the imam had ended the congregational Prayer, but he found someone who had joined the prayer late and was completing his prayer, so he stood beside him making that man his imam. He wanted to have the reward for praying in congregation. Is it permissible for him to do so or not? And is this Prayer valid?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. How should a praying person raise his hands in prayer?

Dear scholars, as-Salamu `alaykum. I have a question regarding praying in congregation. When two men are praying in jama`ah and another man wants to join the prayer, should the second Muslim step back to join the brother who arrived late or should he carry on standing next to the imam? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Salam, when performing prayer, can we read with a waist on or do we have to cover our arms up to our elbows, please explain and give reference.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. One of my friends is still in the Israeli prisons. He asks if he can perform Prayer in his garments given the fact that such garments are contaminated with the blood of his fellow Palestinians whose lives he, in vain, tried to save. He finds no pure garment to put on, and he also lacks means to wash his garment or purify it. Jazakum Allah khayran.

It is not good to allow doubts to be your habit, for it may turn into a chronic psychological disease or even worse. Excessive doubting is actually one of Satan’s ways to make man discard his obligations and neglect acts of worship. Therefore, man should not give Satan the opportunity to intervene in his relationship

As-Salamu `alaykum. What is the ruling of Shari`ah on closing eyes during the prayer (Obligatory 5 daily prayers)?

When praying fard salah (obligatory ritual prayer) alone, is it permissible to pray aloud or silent?

Dear scholars! I would like to know why some prayers are recited loudly (Jahri) such as Maghrib and `Isha while others are silent (Sirri) as is the case with Zuhr and `Asr? Is there any wisdom behind this?

Salam alaikum!  Before Hajj, the Haram in Makkah becomes very full.  People often pray in the Musallah halls in hotels surrounding the Haram, in which tey hear the Imam of the Haram, and follow him in Jama'a prayer.  Is this correct? Is it a special ruling for the Haram in Makkah?  JazakumAllahu khairun for your reply.  Wasalaam

assalam u alaikummy problem is i have to repeat my vazu ablution many times for one namaz due to passage of wind from anus some times its my doubt that my vazu is broken and some times really ihave no control go 0n repeating vazu due to this i lost intrest in namaz.piease guide me and also tell me about reading quran with this problem. piease what is solution when i will go  for tawaf and umrah and madinah and hajj.

As-salamu `alaykum. How can qunut be performed during the Prayers?

Tahajjud prayer is part of the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) which Muslims should follow all the time; it’s not something confined to Ramadan. In his famous work, Fiqh As-Sunnah, Sheikh Sayyid Sabiq, elaborates on the subject as follows: “Tahajjud Prayer: Its excellence and merit, according to the

salam 1.should salat nafila be done before the adhan or after adhan and before obligatory prayer? knowing that it's forbidden to pray nafila between asr and maghreb; then when is it recommended to pray nafila for asr and maghreb? before or after adhan? and before or after the obligatory prayer?also is it allowed to pray more than one 'asr prayer' at time to make up the missed prayers? 2.is a prayer valid when finished only a  minute before or just at the time of adhan for next prayer? Jazakoum allah khayran.

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. I have six children between the ages of 7 and 21, and thanks to Allah, they all keep up Prayer. However, I suffer a great deal when I wake them up for the Fajr Prayer. I spend over an hour trying in every possible way I can think of, but in the end, I have to shout at them to get up and pray. So, they only pray the Fajr P rayer for fear of me, not out of devotion to Allah. What should I do? Should I keep doing this? I don't want them to hate Prayer. Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Do we have to go to sleep first to perform Tahajjud? Or is it still valid if we happen to be awake during the last third of the night and haven't slept before performing it? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

salam..i am muslim but i dont wear a hijab or pray and i am planing to fast this ramadan i wanted to know if i can fast without praying or wering a hijab?

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Why do we see men and women at Hajj time, praying in the same line; some men even physically touch women while praying in the same line. How can this be acceptable during Hajj and not after? Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

As Salam AlaykumI know you receive many questions about this topic, so I apologize in advance for the repetition as well as the length of my questions, but it is only due to my confidence in the Ulema of your institute, who have consistently shown strict adherence to Islam as well as logical reasoning.This is a very pressing issue in my country, South Africa, where the Ulema, who are all from the Deobandi movement, has banned/forbidden women from both the masaajid, and the Eid Musalla. They do so on the excuse that allowing women will cause "fitnah", in the Urdu definition which is temptation/mischief/evil, and make every women out to be lewd/incapable of modesty.a group of us, men and women, who have traveled and studied abroad, and witnessed Muslim women's participation in the masaajid decided to start a campaign, educating women about their rights to attend Eid prayers, and other prayers, especially Jumuah and Taraweeh, if it does not interfere with their other duties. Our aim was to make known the opinions of scholars outside the Deobandi school, and to show women that they have a choice in the matter, given to them by the Prophet (saw), that they can attend the masaajid and eid prayers if appropriately covered and properly behaved.I have been told by some scholars that we must follow the "urf" of our country, which is to not allow women.The group who are trying to change people's mindsets have come under severe attack and abuse.My questions are - 1. Are we correct in trying to educate Muslim women about their rights in the public sphere such as the masjid and eid musalla, which by doing so, questions the Ulema of our country, who have banned us? 2. Do we have to follow the 'urf of our country which does not permit women to pray in congregation not even whilst out travelling/studying/shopping. In fact, most masaajid simply do not even accommodate women. Women are constantly told that they MUST remain at home and not leave their homes, for work, study or otherwise. 3.At the Eid musalla I attended, which is one of the very few in my country which allows women, but has been branded as "modernist" for doing so, the mens section and the womens section are adjacent to each other, separated only by distance and a rope. Is it this permissible? From my experience over the years, there has been no mixing/intermingling of men and women, we all come to pray and then leave, but the fact that the women's section is adjacent to and not behind the mens sections causes a lot of criticism. 4. My last question - are women permitted to deliver the PRE-Jumuah talk and PRE-Eid talk, from the women's section of the masjid/eid musallah. I am not referring to the Eid Khutbah or Jumuah Khutbah, but the short lecture preceding them.I sincerely appreciate your advice the matter. May Allah reward you all abundantly for the greatness of your work.

assalam alaykum, Dear Ssheikh, I have two questions: (a)who is a muslim. (b)a non praying muslim is a kufar, does he need to make another shahada if he is to start praying and doing good deed again.

Assalamu alaikumAs a new Muslim, the day before Ramadan this year alhamdulillah, I strive to practice my deen as perfectly as possible however sometimes there is still confusion over some issues.  I therefore have two questions that despite asking on other boards/forums I cannot achieve a satisfactory answer.i)  Does a woman have to do the Adhan or Iqaamat in whatever case.  I have been told as a woman I do not have to, but recently when praying with another woman she asked if I was going to do the Iqaamat...ii)  I work full-time and pray three times during the course of my working day.  Is it permissable to run my hands over my hijab when making wudu, or do I have to take the hijab off for the wudu to be accepted?  I'm conscious of the time it takes me to make wudu and then pray during my working hours when my company has been very supportive of my conversion.  I have had differing answers with regard to this, some say yes, some say no, some say that it is permissable due to circumstances to wipe over socks and then do regular complete wudu when we get home, so if this is permissable then could this be applied to the hijab?iii)  Finally, this will be my first year as a Muslimah, alhamdulillah and Christmas is approaching.  The only family I have remaining is my father and although he is not religious, (we) do exchange gifts and cards.  How should I approach this, is it permissable to continue to exchange items? He is also very supportive, alhamdulillah, of my conversion however it will be 'strange' not to present him with gifts.  I am fully aware, alhamdulillah, of the psychology surrounding my feelings and know that I can give him gifts any time of the year, and actually Eid would be nice, it's just getting used to losing the tradition.  (My family are not religious in general.)Alhamdulillah my concern is obviously to do what is correct and that is why I am seeking the truth, insha'Allah.JazakAllah khayran for the advice you are able to give.Assalamu alaikum

As-Salam `Alaykum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh ! Dear Sheikhs, given that the blessed night Laylatul-Qadr is approaching, we would like you to tell us what should we do in this night. Kindly inform us of the acts of worship that are recommended in this night?

Respected Scholar, as-salamu 'alaikum:Last night in taraweeh prayers, Imam by mistake forgot to sit after 2nd rakah and continued to read taraweeh for the 3rd  rak'ah. He didn't make salam after 3rd rak'ah but rather continued for the 4th rakah. The Imam also didn't make prostration of forgetfulness at the end of the salah. Is taraweeh salah valid in this case or should it have been repeated?thank you in advance for your reply.

Assalamu alaikum, I saw some people praying 4 raka'at before salam in trawi prayers, and that the prophet also did it. pls i wan to know if it is true.

As-salamu `alaykum, I have general questions about prayers: 1) Are the prayers of non-believers (i.e. Christians, Jews, etc.) accepted by Allah? (Here I mean the prayers directed to Allah(C.C.), not to someone else!)2) What about the prayers of non-muslims directed to someone other than Allah, are they accepted by Allah?3) What I really wonder is: if a prayer of a non-muslim, directed to Allah or not directed to Allah is not accepted by Allah, does this mean Allah would not guide and solve the problem of  non believers, or wouldn?t answer any wishes of non-believers? (problems subject to  prayers: like illness, trouble etc. or any wishes subjec to prayers: being rich etc.) However  I know that Allah is Ar-Rahman, The All-Merciful. That mercy extends to all of His creatures, Muslims and non-Muslims.  I would be pleased if you clarify on this subject .

Salaam alaykum,I have a question concerning the shorterning and joining of prayers for a traveller on the return journey home.Specifically, I wanted to know:a)if it is possible to shorten/join the prayers on the actual days of travel as well as during the journey itself, particularly on the day of return from the journey b) If it is possible, do the time of day of travel and return have an impact on which prayers may be shortened or joined? For example if I begin my return journey after Fajr but before Dhuhr and complete the joruney (i.e. return home) before Asr, can I join Dhuhr with Asr and aslo Maghrib with Isha?I would appreciate any help you can give as this is an issue that has been confusing me for quite a while.

Assalamu aalikum respected scholars!I've got a job recently alhamdulillah in a company center. The toilets are public to every companies here, although one for women and other for men.Thing is, it's very inconvenient for me to do wudhu there. I cannot guarantee that no man will enter (a plumber or one by mistake). And I fear someone might see me without hijaab.In this condition, am I allowed to do tayammum?Also, I pray sitted in a chair... although I'm capable of praying normally. But I fear harassment and loosing my job. Sometimes I do it in the office, where I'm sometimes alone (not always!) or in the car.Is it ok for me to do this?

Can a non-praying Muslim be labeled a disbeliever or kafir if he fasts during Ramadan? To my mind, a person must pray regularly to be considered a Muslim. Is the one who abandons prayer out of laziness be a kafir?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I am a new Muslim. May I read the required words of prayer from a book the first few times while praying in order to learn the prayers, or must I already have the prayers memorized? People say reading from a book while performing salah (ritual Prayer) is haram (forbidden) because you are focused on the paper rather than your prayer. Then how am I supposed to learn? Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum. I notice that some people separate their feet while performing Prayer (Salah), whereas others put them beside each other. Also some other people rest on one foot relieving the other, and then make it the other way round to endure standing, especially to perform Vigil Prayers. So what is the Islamic ruling concerning all such conditions? Jazakum Allah khayran.