Haram (Forbidden)

Haram (Arabic: حرام) means "forbidden" or "sacred" (in the sense of inviolable) and refers to actions that are strictly forbidden in Islamic law. Performing a haram action is a sin that requires repentance (tawbah), and avoiding it is rewarded.

In the context of prayer, there are actions that are haram and that invalidate the prayer: deliberately speaking during prayer, laughing during prayer, deliberately turning away from the qibla, eating or drinking during prayer, deliberately adding or omitting a rukn (pillar), and saying "Amin" after Al-Fatiha (this is specific to Shia fiqh, where "Amin" during prayer is considered invalidating).

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) warned: "The one who says 'Amin' in prayer has invalidated his prayer" (Al-Kafi, vol. 3). This position is based on the teaching of Ahl al-Bayt that "Amin" is not part of the prophetic prayer practice, and that it is an addition that invalidates the prayer. This is one of the clearest juridical differences between Shia and Sunni prayer practice.

Beyond prayer-specific haram actions, there are general haram actions that affect the prayer's acceptance: praying in usurped (ghasbi) clothing or on a usurped place, praying in clothing made from materials of animals that are not halal-slaughtered, and praying with najasah (impurity) on the body or clothing knowingly. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: "The prayer of the one who eats haram is not accepted" (Wasail al-Shia). Avoiding haram in all aspects of life is fundamental to a valid and accepted prayer.