What is the position of the one who disturbs the Salat of others with his mobile phone, and what constitutes music, as most mobile phone users do not put any importance regarding the simple tunes that they play?
ANSWER
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
It is surely one of the most disturbing aspects that, many Muslims who come to the houses of Allah, keep their mobile phones switched on. One comes to a place of worship to forget the world and escape materialism but the fact is that their action is saying: “I am here in body, my mind is elsewhere”.
The one who does not switch off his mobile phone intentionally during Salat with Jama’ah, and the phone tune constitutes music, is actually committing two sins. Disturbing a fellow Muslim & listening to a musical tune.
To harm, disturb and agitate another individual is a sin in itself, let alone when one is engaged in an Ibadah (worship) such as offering Salat.
Allah Almighty says:
“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.” (Surah al-Ahzab, V.58)
As far as the musical tune is concerned, it should be remembered that those musical tones which create charm, pleasure and lure, even without any singing, are unlawful (haram).
Allah Most High says:
“There are among men, those who purchase idle tales to mislead (men) from the path of Allah.” (Surah Luqman, V.6)
The great Companion Abd Allah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) states in the explanation of the word “idle talk”:
“By Allah its meaning is music.” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi).
In conclusion, mobile phones should be switched off before Salat. If a person forgets to do so and the phone rings while in Salat, then it should be switched off by engaging just one hand. The use of two hands will invalidate the Salat. (Radd al-Muhtar, 1 /625)
And Allah Knows Best
[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK