What should be done if one’s cell phone rings during salāh?
The answer
Ideally, one should always have a habit of switching one’s cell phone to silent mode upon entering the masjid. If one does not have such a routine, he should train himself until it becomes second nature for him.
Explanation
In reality, if we go to the masjid at the time of athān, it will be very easy to be composed and cognisant of what one needs to do. Many a time, the brothers rush to the masjid at the last minute and thus are unmindful and negligent of everything including their cell phones.
There are many Apps available on smartphones which automatically switch the cell phone to silent mode at customised times. Those who have smartphones may resort to such Apps to make life easy for them.
Nevertheless, if one’s cell phone rang during salāh, one should switch it off or cancel the call with one hand. One’s salāh will not be invalidated by such an action.1 Despite the fact that this will result in some karahāh (dislike) in one’s salāh, one should act immediately when one’s cell phone rings to prevent disturbing others.2
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
References
1الْعَمَلُ الْكَثِيرُ يُفْسِدُالصَّلَاةَ وَالْقَلِيلُ لَا. كَذَا فِي مُحِيطِ السَّرَخْسِيِّ (الهندية ج 1 ص 101 الرشيدية)
2يُكْرَهُ الْعَمَلُ الْقَلِيلُ الَّذِي لَا يُفْسِدُ كَالضَّرْبَةِ الْوَاحِدَةِ وَتَغْمِيضِ الْعَيْنَيْنِ وَرَفْعِهِمَا إلَى جِهَةِ السَّمَاءِ وَتَغْطِيَةِ الْفَمِ أَوْ الْأَنْفِ وَالتَّثَاؤُبِ إذَا أَمْكَنَهُ الْكَظْمُ ، فَإِنْ عَجَزَ فَفَتَحَ غَطَّى فَاهُ بِكُمِّهِ أَوْ يَدِهِ وَإِلَّا يُكْرَهُ . (شرح فتح القدير ج 2 ص 331)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.