Fatwa ID: 08254
Answered by Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Question:
We are planning to develop a smartphone app that records a user’s movements during prayer and detects the position he is in, such as Qiyam, Ruku, Sujood etc, and sends vibration feedback if a mistake is detected. The user keeps the phone in his pocket. If he makes a mistake, such as forgets to sit for Tashahhud after two Rakat and instead stands up directly from Sajdah, then the app sends vibration feedback. This can help people who suffer from forgetfulness such as elderly and those who suffer from OCD. The user can also look at the phone after completing the prayer to know whether he has done any mistake. The vibration feedback during the prayer can be switched off from the app settings.
My question is, is the development and use of such an app allowed from Islamic perspective? Please mention any specific cases where it can be used or cannot be used.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Developing an app to facilitate ease in worship for the Ummah is commendable and holds great potential for reward. The app’s purpose, especially in addressing challenges such as forgetfulness or OCD, is beneficial and aligns with the principles of making worship accessible.
It is mentioned in hadith: Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam).” (Bukhari 69)[1]
Your app is devised for such purposes and there will be reward for such actions.
However, there is a valid concern that the app could distract worshippers during Salah, potentially shifting their focus from the prayer itself to the app. This could compromise the primary purpose of Salah, which is to maintain concentration and humility before Allah.
The inclusion of an optional vibration feedback feature is a thoughtful solution, as it allows users to disable it if they find it distracting. This flexibility significantly reduces the potential for disruption and makes the app more adaptable to individual needs.
Another concern is the potential temptation for users to leave the vibration feature enabled and, as a result, feel compelled to check their phones during Salah. This could disrupt their prayer, break their focus, and ultimately defeat both the purpose of the app and the essence of Salah itself.
“What is wrong with people who lift their eyes towards the sky during prayer? They should stop doing so, or else their eyesight may be taken away.”
(Bukhari: 750)[2]
It is advisable to prioritize the app’s use for those who genuinely require assistance, such as the elderly, individuals with OCD or Waswasah, or those who may struggle to focus during Salah. By targeting these groups, the app can serve as a tool for facilitation without becoming a source of distraction for others.
Ultimately, the permissibility of using vibration feedback hinges on its ability to aid rather than hinder the worshipper. If it is turned off during prayer, this concern is eliminated. Maintaining focus and humility during Salah should remain the goal, and all features of the app should support this objective by minimizing any potential distractions, whether physical or mental.
I hope that this answers the question.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by
Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Checked and approved by
Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو التَّيَّاحِ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ يَسِّرُوا وَلاَ تُعَسِّرُوا، وَبَشِّرُوا وَلاَ تُنَفِّرُوا
[2] حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، أَنَّ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، حَدَّثَهُمْ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ يَرْفَعُونَ أَبْصَارَهُمْ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فِي صَلاَتِهِمْ ”. فَاشْتَدَّ قَوْلُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَالَ ” لَيَنْتَهُنَّ عَنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ لَتُخْطَفَنَّ أَبْصَارُهُمْ
