What should you do if you yawn during salah?

The four schools agree on this.

Explanation

The Prophet ﷺ said yawning is from Shaytan, and that when one of you yawns in prayer, he should hold it back as much as he can. In another narration he said to put a hand over the mouth. Yawning is a sign of tiredness and slackness, which is the opposite of the alertness prayer needs. The four schools agree on the ruling.

How to hold it back, from the scholars' advice:

• Close your mouth and press your lips together.
• If it still comes, cover your mouth with your hand, preferably the back of the hand.
• Do not stretch or make the "aah" sound that often comes with a yawn.

• Does it break the prayer? No. A yawn you could not stop has no effect on its validity.
• Is it a sin? No. It is disliked when you could have held it back.
• Yawning a lot: it may be a sign you need more sleep, or that you are praying at a time when you are worn out. Fresh wudu can help.

For what does break the prayer, see what breaks your salah. For focus, read should you close your eyes in salah.

The evidence

Where the ruling is recorded

• Nur al-Idah with Maraqi al-Falah, Chapter on the manners (adab) of prayer. Holding the mouth closed when yawning is among the manners of prayer.
• Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the description of prayer, section on manners. Covering the mouth with the hand when a yawn cannot be held back.

Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.