for the benefit of the prayer—such as fiddling with one’s garment or hair—for this contradicts the humility required in prayer, and no genuine need calls for it.

Third: permissible movement, meaning slight, scattered motions that are not continuous, undertaken out of need, as in the ḥadith under discussion.

Fourth: legislated movement—actions that serve a clear benefit to the prayer itself, or that enable the performance of a commendable, prescribed deed. Examples include the congregation’s advancing and retreating in the prayer of fear, or movement dictated by necessity, such as rescuing a drowning person from peril.