Makruh (Discouraged)

Makruh (Arabic: مكروه) means "discouraged" or "undesirable" and refers to actions that Islamic law discourages, but that are not forbidden (haram). Avoiding a makruh action may earn reward, but performing it is not a sin — it merely reduces spiritual merit.

In the context of prayer, there are several makruh actions that the worshipper should try to avoid: yawning during prayer, closing one's eyes during prayer (except to achieve better concentration), blowing on the prayer area, playing with one's beard or hair, praying in front of a picture or an open door, praying in a church or synagogue, counting rak'ah on one's fingers, and praying when hungry and food is served.

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) mentioned several makruh actions in prayer in narrations collected in Al-Kafi (vol. 3) and Wasail al-Shia (vol. 7). He said, among other things: "It is makruh to blow during prayer" and "It is makruh to pray with loose wrists" (i.e., without having the hands firmly against the ground during sujud).

Understanding the makruh category helps the believer perfect their prayer beyond the minimum requirements. While wajib actions ensure the prayer's validity, and mustahab actions enrich it, the avoidance of makruh actions helps preserve the prayer's dignity and the worshipper's khushu (humility). Islamic scholars mention makruh actions in their guidelines to guide the believers toward a more complete prayer.