1. Crying, moaning or groaning, whether due to fear of Allah or due to other reasons, e.g. when overcome by pain or sorrow.

2. Looking and turning the face to the right or to the left side (but not backwards) for a necessity. However, turning the whole body to one side or the other invalidates the prayer.

3. Killing snakes, scorpions, wasps or other harmful animals, if it does not require much action on the part of the person who is praying.

4. Taking few steps due to necessity but still facing the qiblah.

5. Holding or carrying a baby.

6. Returning a greeting by a motion, using a finger or hand movement or by nodding.

Chairman

Islamic Center of Southern California

7. Alerting some person by saying Subhaan Allah (and women by clapping) e.g. when the imam makes a mistake, permitting some body to enter the room or warning a blind person.

8. Helping out the imam (leader) if he forgets or makes a mistake in the recitation.

9. Reading the Quranic verses from a copy of the Quran.

10. Occupying the mind with other than the acts of the prayer: A person, while praying, should keep his mind and heart attuned to his Lord, his prayer and the meaning of his recitation. A person gets as much reward out of this prayer as the thoughtfulness and concentration he puts in it. However, if a person does his best in following his prayer and reflecting on his recitation, his salat is valid even if his mind drifts to outside affairs.