A person was praying with a friend who follows Ayatollah Khamenei, while they follow Ayatollah Sistani. The friend prostrated on a tissue, and later the person also used a tissue for prostration because they did not have a proper piece of clay (turbah). They later learned that according to Ayatollah Sistani, it is not permissible to prostrate on a tissue. Do they need to repeat their prayer in this case?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Ayatollah Sistani (may God protect him):
It is not permissible to prostrate on paper tissues (like Kleenex) unless you are certain that they are made from something permissible for prostration. It is permissible to prostrate on paper if you know it is made from something that is permissible, such as cotton or linen, but it is not permissible if there is doubt. Therefore, if you knew that it was made from something permissible for prostration, your prayer is valid and you do not need to repeat it. Similarly, you do not need to repeat your prayer if you prostrated on the tissue believing it was permissible and then learned afterward that it was not valid after completing the required remembrance or after raising your head or after finishing the prayer.
Source: Official website + Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, on what is permissible for prostration, M 557
Ayatollah Khamenei (may God protect him):
If tissues are considered paper (which is what is written on), it is permissible to prostrate on them if they are made from wood or plants other than cotton or linen.
This applies to common paper tissues, and it is permissible to prostrate on them unless it is known that they are made from something other than wood or plants.
Indeed, the best thing to prostrate on is soil and earth, which signifies humility and submission before God Almighty, and the best soil is that of the martyr Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). Therefore, your friend's prayer is valid, and they do not need to repeat it.
Source: Educational Message, on what is permissible for prostration + Office of His Eminence in Lebanon.
May you be successful in all good.