Chapter: The Dislike of Praying in the Presence of Food One Craves, or While Resisting the Two Impurities (urine and stool)

1753 – ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say, ‘There is no prayer when food is present, nor while one is struggling against the two impurities.’” Narrated by Muslim.

[Commentary]
The author says, “Chapter: The Dislike of a person praying with his hand on his hip.” The hip is the area between the waist and the lower ribs. While in prayer a worshipper is instructed to place his right hand over his left forearm, or on the wrist—the part between the palm and the forearm—and rest them on his chest. This is the Sunnah and should be observed during the standing posture both before and after bowing. Placing the hands on the hip, however, has been forbidden by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and this prohibition applies in two situations:

1. When a person places either the left or the right hand directly on the hip; and
2. When he places the right hand over the left in that same position, as some people do, claiming they are putting their hands over the heart. This is a mistake, for the Sacred Law provides no basis for it.