Section on actions disliked in the prayer

The worshiper should avoid the following, for they are deemed disliked:
• limiting the recitation to Sūrat al-Fātiḥah alone or repeating it over and over;
• looking around without need3;
• closing the eyes;
• carrying anything that diverts his attention;
• spreading the forearms flat on the ground while prostrating;
• fidgeting;
• placing the hands on the hips;
• stretching oneself;
• opening the mouth or putting something into it;
• facing an image, a human face, someone who is talking, someone who is sleeping, a fire, or anything else that distracts him;
• touching the pebbles or smoothing the ground without excuse;
• fanning oneself with a fan;
• cracking the fingers or interlacing them;
• stroking the beard;
• gathering up one’s garment—and if such actions become excessive according to customary standards, the prayer is nullified;
• singling out the forehead with a special object to prostrate on;
• wiping away the mark of prostration from the forehead; and
• leaning on something without need; if he leans so heavily that, were it removed, he would fall, the prayer is invalidated.